Schwarz Sandwich: Nic Schwarz gets tangled up as he tries to break away with the ball against the Magpies. Image: Nick Hook Photography

Seniors Report

South Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
Round 8 - Hickinbotham Oval - 04/06/17

South Adelaide	2.1	3.1	7.2	12.5	77
Port Adelaide	5.3	13.5	15.8	19.13	127

Goals: Cross 3, Barnes, Haren, McMahon 2, Rankine, Gotch, Overall
Best: Cross, Rose, Liddle, Gotch, Haren, Davis
Injuries: nil
Crowd: 2000

South Adelaide lost its third match of the season in a 50-point defeat against a near full strength Port Adelaide side at Hickinbotham Oval on Sunday afternoon.

On a perfectly still and sunny day at Noarlunga, the Magpies got out to a 20-point lead at quarter time and rode a dominant first half to a 19.13 (127) to 12.5 (77) victory.

With the majority of the play trapped in South's defence, Luke Durdin was given the tough task of minding ex-Panther and current Power forward Brett Eddy, who had three set-shots before the first break.

Durdin held the league's best goal kicker to just one goal in the first term despite the quality of ball being delivered by the Magpies' midfielders.

The Panthers were dangerous on the overlap and damaged Port in the wide-open spaces of the wing, kicking two goals on the counter attack.

After being beaten in the clearances in the opening term, Joel Cross came storming out of the gates at the start of the second, surging the Panthers into attack.

South's defence held strong in the early stages of the second term, but through repeated inside-50 entries the Magpies began to dominate on the scoreboard.

Peter Ladhams kicked Port's first goal of the quarter with a penetrating bomb from 50, before the Magpies unloaded four goals in 8-minutes late in the second term.

Port's damaging second quarter finished with eight goals to one and opened up a 64-point half time lead.

Sydney Swans recruit, Abe Davis was sensational in the opening half in his return from injury, while dual Magarey Medallist Cross had the most on the ground with 19 touches and a goal at the break.

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The Panthers came out of halftime looking a new team as they again found the ball on the outside and were able to serge the ball forward, kicking four of the first six goals.

Davis was instrumental in the second half by working into defence, creating an extra number in the contest and generating run off the half back line.

The Panthers hard work began to be rewarded on the scoreboard, but Port still held a comfortable 54-point at the final change.

The game completely opened up in the final term as both sides worked the ball with ease through the middle of the ground.

Durdin kept Eddy quiet for most of the afternoon but unfortunately the gun forward kicked a late goal and finished with three for the match.

Another ex-Panther, Emmanuel Irra performed well against his old side, while Port's AFL players were damaging.

Angus Monfries had 26-disposals and kicked two goals, while speedster Jake Neade had a classy 21 touches.

Cross put in another dominant display for the Panthers, finishing with 32 disposals and three goals, while Matt Rose and Nick Liddle hit the 30 disposal mark.

South Adelaide will look to bounce back next Saturday, June 10 against the Eagles at Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval.

Josh Teakle

American Express: South Adelaide's American ruckman, Alex Aurrichio celebrates a goal against Port Adelaide. Image: Nick Hook Photography

Reserves Report

South Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
Round 8 - Hickinbotham Oval - 04/06/17

South Adelaide	1.5	5.6	8.8	9.8	62
Port Adelaide	2.2	4.4	5.6	9.10	64

Goals: Steele, Helyar, Damin 2, Need, Aurrichio, Tyllis
Best: Newell, Badger, Redigolo, Raitt, Moyle, Aurrichio

South Adelaide's Reserves suffered a last-minute two-point defeat to Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.

The Panthers were unable to hold firm in the final quarter and fell to a deflating 9.8 (62) to 9.10 (63) loss to the Magpies.

Some early inaccuracy would prove costly for South, as they registered five behinds before Bryce Damin kicked truly in the 23rd minute mark of the first quarter.

However, a strong performance over the two middle quarters saw the Panthers enter the final change with a 20-point lead, kicking 7.3 to 3.4 between the first and last break in play.

The Magpies came out fighting in the final quarter, kicking the first 2.4 of the quarter and drawing within two points midway through the term.

However, young forward Nick Steele would kick his second major in the 19th minute and restore the lead to a two kick margin.

Sadly a contentious free kick in front of the Jimmy Deane's grandstand and a ruck infringement in the Panthers defensive 50 led to goals to Trevor-John Wanganeen and Jonathon Ross and Port Adelaide would seal a two point win.

Best afield for the Panthers was hard-running Richard Newell, who finished with 36 touches and 11 marks.

New comer to Noarlunga, Robert Badger (23 disposals and nine marks) was also impressive in his second match for the club disposing of the ball well out of defence, while fellow defender Tarak Redigolo (18 touches and nine marks) continues to build form on the trail back from a knee reconstruction.

Matt Raitt, Alex Moyle and Alex Aurrichio also battled valiantly.

Also pleasingly, the Panthers welcomed Hayden Sampson and Henry Bruce to the senior fold, fresh off of a 110-point win with the U18s the day before.

The Reserves are next in action against Woodville-West Torrens from 11:25am, Saturday June 10.

Join us during the bye for a 'Day at the Races'!