South Adelaide was unable to claw back a two-goal final quarter deficit against Central District, with the Dogs running out 15-point winners at Magain Stadium.

Kody Shortridge nearly gave the Panthers a dream start, but his set shot inside the opening minute struck the inside of the post for a minor score.

Unfortunately, it would be South’s only score for the term, as Central District steadily gained control of the contest.

Archie Van Dyk and Kodah Edwards continued their strong seasons under the watchful eye of ruckman Max Savage, making the most of their positioning and ball-winning ability to impact the stoppages.

Despite South's efforts, the visitors piled on 21 unanswered points to take a four-goal lead into the first break.

Across half-back, Brady McDonald was a standout, using his precise foot skills to launch several attacking plays. The rebounding defender was one of the Panthers’ few shining lights early.

The first goal of the second term was always going to be crucial, and it was Central District who struck again through Cameron Nairn’s clever left-foot snap.

Desperately needing a spark, Edwards took matters into his own hands, bursting from the contest and launching the ball deep inside 50. The bouncing ball evaded everyone, forcing a defender to rush a behind after sustained pressure from Harry Wadewitz.

At the other end, Kai Clark showed patches of composure, while Jackson Collins continued to fight hard despite a relentless Central attack.

The Dogs extended their lead to 31 points with a second goal for the quarter, but South finally broke their goal drought moments later.

A strong intercept mark across half-forward by Elliott Duffield led to a dangerous entry that couldn’t quite find a leading target. Fortunately, Zemes Pilot gathered the loose ball, weaved past a defender, and snapped truly for a much-needed major.

Pilot doubled his tally within a minute, roving a Tom Simpson entry at the top of the square to bring the Panthers back within striking distance.

South’s belief grew when Van Dyk made the most of a free kick on the edge of 50, launching a long-range goal to cut the margin to just 13 points.

However, a late goal to the Dogs before half-time slightly dampened South’s spirited second-quarter fightback.

The Panthers carried their momentum into the second half, with the lively Hudson Voigt snapping the opening goal of the third term.

But Nairn continued to pose problems for South’s defence, kicking his third to steady the Dogs. When he slotted his fourth, the margin blew back out to 30 points, leaving South with plenty of work to do.

In need of a lift, Simpson stood tall to keep South in the contest.

Fresh off SA’s Under-18 championship-winning squad, Nye added composure around the ball and a forward threat, kicking South’s second in a row as the final break loomed.

An unlikely comeback looked on the cards when Wadewitz converted late in the term, cutting the deficit to 18 points at three-quarter time.

South required a big last quarter to overrun a composed Central District outfit. However, the final term was defined by inaccuracy, with neither side managing a goal.

Minor scores to Shortridge and Pilot, along with a rushed behind, were as close as South got to closing the gap.

The final siren sounded on a low-scoring finish, with Central’s fast start proving decisive. The Dogs ran out 15-point winners.

South Adelaide will aim to return to the winners’ list when they face North Adelaide at Magain Stadium on Saturday, 12 July at 2:10pm.

A blistering seven-goal opening term from Central District proved enough to hold off a spirited second-half surge from South Adelaide, with the Dogs securing a 20-point win at Magain Stadium.

Central couldn’t have made a stronger start, booting the first seven goals of the contest before South Adelaide managed to hit the scoreboard.

Despite conceding 43 unanswered points to open the match, the Panthers never wavered in their effort, with skipper Hudson Boal leading from the front in the midfield.

Jayce Potter looked to ignite attacking chains from defence, but Central’s strong structure made clean ball movement difficult, with South’s forward entries few and far between.

South eventually got on the board after 22 minutes of play, thanks to a rebounding run from Lachlan Gill, who found Hudson Croser in the middle of the ground.

Croser’s hack kick forward didn’t hit a target, but a resulting free kick and 25-metre penalty gifted Max Gregor a set shot, which he calmly slotted from close range.

At the first break, Central District held a commanding 36-point lead.

The Dogs picked up right where they left off in the second quarter, slamming through the first four goals to push the margin out to 59 points.

Between Central’s dominance, Boal managed South’s only score for the term—a clever snap under pressure that just missed for a behind.

Oli South continued to battle hard at the contest, laying several strong tackles, while Sam Walsh worked tirelessly between the arcs to provide an option on the outside.

Despite the barrage, Dale Shearer held firm in defence, remaining alert and looking for every chance to rebound and launch South forward.

Gregor had a chance to add a second goal just before the main break, after a piercing inside 50 from Darcy Campbell-Kearney, but his set shot drifted wide.

At half-time, Central District had built what looked to be a match-winning 59-point lead.

Although a comeback appeared unlikely, South Adelaide came out in the second half playing with freedom and intent—as though the margin was only a few goals.

After a tense start to the third quarter, Joel Wigzell capitalised on direct ball movement, marking at the back of a pack and strolling into an open goal.

That sparked the Panthers. Campbell-Kearney used his strength to take a diving mark from Wigzell’s high ball and then curled through a superb right-foot snap from near the boundary.

The surge continued when Bailey James judged Boal’s high kick best, quickly firing the ball to Croser, who earned a free kick and converted from close range.

South’s belief started to grow when Wigzell nailed his second of the quarter, followed by a clever tap from Gregor to Lucas Marshall, who finished truly into an open goal.

Boal, South, and Tom Meaney began to take control at the contest, repeatedly winning crucial clearances and starving Central of possession.

The margin was slashed further when James clunked a contested mark and snapped his first, reducing the deficit to just 25 points at the final break.

South Adelaide’s brilliant third term had brought them within striking distance, but the first goal of the final quarter was always going to be critical.

Unfortunately for the home side, it went Central’s way, pushing the lead back out to five goals.

However, South responded quickly with an opportunistic snap from Tyler Harris to rekindle hope among the home crowd.

Boal continued to lead all players for disposals, combining work rate with composure around the ball.

A quickfire double from Kyan Kemp-Laundy suddenly cut the margin to just 13 points, sending a wave of nervous energy through the Central District camp.

But just as the momentum swung, Hugo Semmler stood tall in the ruck for Central and slotted a composed set shot against the run of play—arguably the most important goal of the match.

Time was running out, but Campbell-Kearney kept the contest alive with a classy checkside finish from the boundary. However, any hopes of a miracle comeback were dashed moments later when Central kicked the sealer at the death.

In the end, the Dogs held on for a nerve-racking 20-point win, but not without a serious scare from the fast-finishing Panthers.

South Adelaide will look to bounce back when they take on second-placed North Adelaide at Magain Stadium on Saturday, 12 July at 11:50am.