SANFL League action returned to Magain Stadium for season 2026, but it would be the Eagles who would kick the first six goals of the contest.

Woodville-West Torrens got the jump early to set up a comfortable 52-point win away from home.

Five debutants lined up for the Panthers, as Riley Baldi (#1857), Seamus Mitchell (#1858), Jesse Nye (#1859), Arie Schoenmaker (#1860) and Harley Sparks (#1861) all played their first games in blue and white.

The six-goal burst from the Eagles would set the tone for the game, with South Adelaide cramped up in the back half for the majority of the first two quarters having only registered one behind at quarter time.

South Adelaide would kick their first goal of the game through Ben Schillabeer in the 19^th minute of the second quarter, slotting a set shot from 40 meters out.

Debutant Arie Schoenmaker broke through with a powerful run on the wing, bombing deep into Schillabeer, who cleverly set up Eamon Wilkinson with a quick kick that just travelled the distance for the mark at the top of the square to create the Panthers’ second.

An improved final ten minutes of the first half was capped off by a booming set shot from outside 50 from Angus Bradley on the siren to bring the margin back to 29.

Again though, it would be the Eagles who showed their class coming out of the main break, using any space that was afforded and punishing South Adelaide on turnover. 

Woodville-West Torrens would kick four goals in the third, Emmanuel Ajang and Wilkinson kicked the only two goals for the Panthers in the quarter.

South Adelaide struggled to move the ball cleanly out of defence, with poor kicking allowing the Eagles to generate repeat entries.

Their control over the game was stamped on the stat sheet, recording 393 disposals, 90 more than the Panthers by the final siren.

The fourth quarter would continue in similar fashion, as Eagles Sam Nicholls and Max Beattie booted their fourth and fifth goals respectively, combining for nine of the Eagles’ 15-goal total. 

Jack Delean provided one of his trademark highlights for South Adelaide, smothering a kick inside 50 before gathering and finishing his own work for first goal on return to the Panthers

Olivier Northam found great opposition from both Connor Ballenden and Jordan Lukac in ruck.

On club debut, WAFL product Harley Sparks was a shining light on a dark day, battling hard to record an equal-high 26 disposals and 15 kicks with Phoenix Hargrave for South Adelaide, who led the midfield. 

Oliver Davis followed closely behind with 25 disposals of his own.

Schoenmaker, formerly St Kilda, recorded an equal-high 17 kicks with Skipper Oscar Claravino, running out of defence to move the ball forward.

Baldi brought over his renowned toughness from Casey, impressing with his run and insistent work rate in the first half.

Mitchell, formerly Hawthorn, recorded 15 disposals starting from defence, while Nye had 7 disposals up forward on debut.

Schillabeer would record his second and South Adelaide’s seventh goal for the game, rounding out a disappointing Round 1 performance for the Panthers.

South Adelaide will look to bounce back with a 6-day break to next week’s match against Port Adelaide on Good Friday, marked as the club’s 150th anniversary celebration in the SANFL.