Lumin Sports Match Report: Trial 2 vs Sturt
Lumin Sports Trial 2 Match Report
Things are beginning to heat up: fresh and familiar faces impress for South Adelaide during their tune-up game against Sturt at Flinders University Stadium on a sunny Saturday.
Despite the Panthers losing both hit-outs against the Double Blues, with the Reserves falling to an 8.4 (52) to 15.11 (101) loss and the League suffering an 8.9 (57) to 12.7 (79) defeat, there were plenty of positives to take away.
In the Reserves match, the Panthers conceded 5 goals during the opening term and, while they fought back valiantly, they could not undo this early damage.
This fast start by the Double Blues meant that, by the time Brian Gill strolled in and kicked the Panthers' first goal of the game, the blue and white were already trailing by 3 goals.
However, despite the visitors gaining repeated looks inside 50, the efforts ofAaron Douglass and Sam Hindes managed to minimise the damage – but the side still entered the first break facing a 2.1 (13) to 5.3 (33) deficit.
From here, Sturt managed to hold a similar buffer over the Panthers throughout the match, before kicking away in junk time to hand South the 49-point loss.
While fans would have wanted a win, trials are about gaining experience – and the supporters certainly got to experience some of our recruits.
For instance, the strong forward Ben Shillabeer, the fast-paced Rhys Mutch, and Panther pathway graduate Hugo Hoeck, all influenced the scoreboard with 2 goals each.
While Jacob Collins and Jack Flett were able to put immense pressure around the footy thanks to their tackling.
This was mirrored in the League match as many new faces impressed for the Panthers during their second hit out together this year.
The opening minutes of the first term saw Keegan Brooksby announce his presence with a stunning intercept mark in defence.
While Richmond recruit, Ryan Garthwaite, proved too strong up forward by taking 3 contested marks within 8 minutes of play.
However, it took some time for either side to register a major score.
The long-awaited break finally came when an interception by Oscar Clavarino caused a Panther rebound that ended spectacularly.
As the end-to-end play finished with a soaring mark by Sam Overall which allowed him to go back and kick his first of 3 goals for the day.
Showing his intentions for this season, a desperate chase down tackle by Joe Haines, which was well-received by the fans that were huddled under the shade of the veranda, denied a dangerous-looking Double Blues attack.
But not even Haines' heroics could keep the relentless Blues away, as the visitors eventually broke through in the dying minutes with their first goal of the game.
Holding a 2-point lead at quarter time, the new term came with new names to bear.
The first of which was Reece Slape, whose penetrating kick inside 50 was crumbed and goaled by the Tasmanian goal sneak, Jye Menzies.
Unfortunately, the Panthers couldn't increase their lead any further, and a barrage of Blues' goals broke the game open for the visitors.
Sturt's run of 3 unanswered goals in 7 minutes was ended by Overall's second major of the match; but the Panthers still had to enter the halftime break trailing, 3.3 (21) to 5.3 (33).
Needing to fight back, Luke Bogle got things going for South with a quick goal just 3 minutes into the third term. This goal caused a mini shootout as the Blues replied just 2 minutes later.
Then once again, it took just 2 minutes for another major, as Harrison Gunther stepped up for South with a big, contested mark – which he topped off with his first of the game.
However, Sturt, who kicked a replier just a minute later, won the shootout with back-to-back goals that put the Panthers on the back foot further.
The deficit could have been even greater if it wasn't for Elliot Dunkin, who caught his opponent holding the ball in front of the goals during the dying minutes.
This action meant the Panthers' faced a more manageable deficit at the final break.
A goal by Overall, his third of the match, brought the lead to within 3 straight kicks. Then, just minutes later, Bogle snapped his second – and suddenly, it looked as if the Panthers were in for a chance.
With the win up for grabs and carrying heavy legs, both teams had to dig deep. Tate Lovering was busy down back, as were Oscar Brownless and Ollie Davis around the footy – but a Sturt goal midway through the final term ended the Panthers' chances.
The siren would sound to signal the 8.9 (57) to 12.7 (79) defeat.
South Adelaide now turns their attention towards Woodville – West Torrens in what will be their final trial match before Round One.
The Panthers will clash with the Eagles at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, 19 March, with the Reserves from 10:30am and the League starting at 1:10pm.
Following the men's trial, the South women's team will clash with the Eagles for Round Six of the SANFLW - making it a Panthers' festival of footy
South Adelaide vs Sturt
Trial 2 - Flinders University Stadium - 12/03/2022
| South Adelaide | 1.3 | 3.3 | 6.6 | 8.9 | 57 |
| Sturt | 1.1 | 4.3 | 10.7 | 12.7 | 79 |
Goals: Overall 3, Bogle, Menzie 2, Gunther
Best: Overall, Dunkin, Clavarino, Haines, Hayes, Brooksby
South Adelaide Reserves vs Sturt Reserves
Trial 2 - Flinders University Stadium - 12/03/2022
| South Adelaide | 8.4 | 52 |
| Sturt | 15.11 | 101 |
Goal: Shillabeer, Hoeck, Mutch 2, Flett, Gill
We're ready for 2022, are you?
