Seniors Report: Round Nine - South Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
League Report
South Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
Round Nine - Alberton Oval - 22/05/16
| South Adelaide | 4.2 | 7.3 | 10.8 | 12.11 | 83 |
| Port Adelaide | 3.4 | 9.7 | 17.8 | 20.11 | 131 |
Goals: Barnes 3, Rankine, Eddy, Trembath 2, Cross, Newell, Hitchcock
Best: Rose, Haren, Schwarz, Redigolo, Barnes, Seccull
South Adelaide suffered their second loss of the season as they were not able to match it with a skillful Port Adelaide Magpies outfit, losing by 48 points at Alberton Oval on Sunday afternoon.
An even contest through the first quarter, the Panthers took a four point lead into the first break thanks to two early goals to Panthers debutant Josh Trembath and a goal each to livewires Matt Rankine and Rigby Barnes.
However, the Magpies piled on 17.7 to 8.9 in the final three quarters, including a blistering 8.1 to 3.5 third term that all but vanquished a South comeback.
The Panthers were without several first choice players - Brad Crabb (suspension), Daniel Bass (suspension), Nathan Daniel (knee), Emmanuel Irra (ankle), Cam de Visser (concussion).
While key players such as Joel Cross (held to just 18 possessions) and Brett Eddy (kicked an uncharacteristically inaccurate 2.4) received heavy attention all afternoon.
That being said, the skill and transition play of Port Adelaide's AFL ranks was fantastic and their pressure and poise proved too much for the Panthers to withstand.
Former Magpie Matt Rose was best afield for the Panthers, collecting 32 possessions at his old stomping grounds and helping repel many of Port's attacking endeavours.
Port Adelaide dominated possession for much of the game, with six Magpies gathering at least 21 touches and winning the total count 329 to 286.
Aside from Rose, Ben Haren and Cross were the Panthers next most prolific ball winners with just 18 a piece.
Haren (another former Magpie) put in an impressively industrious performance, leading well up the ground and taking seven marks to go with his 18 disposals. He also showed his versatility throughout the game, spending time in both the forward and backlines, as well as in stints as second ruck.
Nic Schwarz (16 touches) and Brede Seccull (15) were again workmanlike in the middle of the ground. Meanwhile, Barnes' three goals provided plenty of spark to a forward line that received less service (41 inside 50s to 57) than their opponents.
On the injury front, Tarak Redigolo will be assessed for a knee injury during the week, while Adam Gulden (knee) and Tom Fields (concussion) successfully navigated their returns to League action.
South Adelaide will now enjoy a week off as the West End State Team take on the VFL at Adelaide Oval on Sunday May 29, before looking to get back in the winner's column against a rejuvenated North Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval on Saturday 4 June from 2:10pm.
Watch a full replay of all the Round Nine Panthers vs Magpies action here
Reserves Report
South Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
Round Nine - Alberton Oval - 22/0516
| South Adelaide | 2.1 | 6.3 | 8.5 | 10.11 | 71 |
| Port Adelaide | 4.1 | 5.3 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 54 |
Goals: Overall, McMahon 3, Szust, Ah Chee, Anderson, Kokkinakis
Best: Heaslip, O'Shaughnessy, Ellison, Nichols, McMahon, P. Kerin
South Adelaide's Reserves recorded a hard-fought 17-point victory over Port Adelaide Magpies Academy team on Sunday afternoon at Alberton Oval.
The Panthers shrugged off a sluggish start to the game and capitalised on strong defensive second and fourth terms to regain the lead and keep the Magpies at bay.
The Magpies were held to just a single major in both the second and fourth quarter, with defensive pressure and dour defending steadily becoming a trademark of Adam Blakely's side.
Most pleasingly for South it was performances of several local young guns that drove them to victory. Ben Heaslip (Encounter Bay), Scott O'Shaughnessy (Cove) and Codey Ellison (Reynella) were all key performers on the day.
Meanwhile, Sam Overall responded well to being sent back to the twos with a three goal performances, joined in the multiple goalscorers by Jackson McMahon with three of his own.
Regular strong performers Hayden Nichols and Pat Kerin did their chances of a League call-up no harm with another impressive showing, while Cam de Visser made a successful return from a concussion he suffered playing with the League side against Sturt the week prior.
The Panthers now enjoy at bye thanks to the State Game, before facing another tough test against second-placed North Adelaide on Saturday 4 June at Hickinbotham Oval from 11:25am.
