Sturt kicked eight first quarter goals to set the platform for a comfortable win over South Adelaide at Thomas Farms Oval by 49 points.

The opening exchanges were free flowing, with both teams registering a brace each as the ball surged from end to end in the first ten minutes.

Emmanuel Ajang was the beneficiary of a fast passage of play, linking with Arie Schoenmaker along the near-side wing before finding space and finishing neatly.

The Panthers continued to move the ball quickly using their sharp overlap handball, as Ajang had another sight at goal before handing off to Jack Delean, who worked through the team’s second.

With the wind behind them and the game continuing at a fast pace, play leaned towards the Double Blues, who began to overwhelm the Panthers’ defence with repeated forward entries.

The home side dominated territory in the first quarter, leading the inside 50 count 25-5 and producing ten scoring shots at a high efficiency.

Two more goals after quarter time extended their run to eight unanswered.

South Adelaide was able to stem the flow and slow the game down, but were left with a large deficit to make up.

Finn Emile-Brennan sent a long kick in deep directed towards Ben Shillabeer, who was able to mop up the ground ball. He found Eamon Wilkinson who snapped truly on the run.

The Panthers closed the gap in inside 50s during the second term, but frustratingly struggled to convert, with Wilkinson’s goal their only major as they registered 1.8 for the quarter.

Tye Gander provided plenty of threat in attack but was the main one who was unable to finish his opportunities, kicking three behinds.

Clearance numbers remained firmly in the Double Blues’ favour, with their tidy disposal allowing them to move the ball effectively by foot.

Harley Sparks led the resistance as he was given the keys through the midfield, picking up 22 disposals in the first half.

Wilkinson and Ajang put their second goals on the board, but Sturt would gradually increase their lead.

The game opened back up in the fourth term, with the Panthers hitting the ground running as Will McCarthy drifted forward, sold some candy and slotted a rare goal on his left.

Ajang put the breeze to good use, expertly finishing a set shot from tight on the boundary for his third goal.

A turnover in the corridor fell the way of Phoenix Hargrave, who followed up by launching from outside 50 and watching it carry all the way through.

Schoenmaker added to the highlights, winning the ball deep forward before evading two Sturt defenders and snapping through a brilliant goal across his body.

Four goals in ten minutes brought the margin back to 30 points, but the Double Blues shut down the momentum with two goals in response.

Gander ended his scoring struggles with his first goal, with Sparks swiftly adding his first shortly after.

Sturt showed their maturity with the last three goals, but the Panthers’ earlier burst allowed them to win the quarter and take a small positive from the end result.

Sparks enjoyed his time in the middle, making a significant impact on ball with 43 disposals, 11 inside 50s, nine clearances and a goal.

Schoenmaker similarly moved further up the ground with 27 disposals and six marks, also kicking a goal.

Isaac Birt and Angus Bradley continued to work hard, collecting 24 and 23 disposals respectively, while Ajang had some nice moments for his 17 disposals and three goals.

Wilkinson was the other multiple goal kicker with two.

The Panthers now need both the Crows and West Adelaide to drop points in their last two home and away games if they are to sneak into fifth position and secure an unlikely finals berth. 

South Adelaide must also win their remaining two games, starting with the Roosters at Revo Fitness Oval on Saturday, 15^th August at 2:10pm.

South Adelaide was handed an eight-point defeat by an in-form Sturt side, which claimed its third SANFL Reserves League win in a row during the back end of the season.

Goals were traded both ways early, as Callum Bennett kicked the first with the ball hurried forward.

A chip kick from Cohen Shortridge saw Jesse Nye take possession cleanly, finishing the goal with poise off the outside of his boot.

Sturt held a slender lead, but the Panthers hit the front after Harvey Lambert held onto a strong mark at half-forward, finding Michael Smith on the dive. 

He cleverly worked his set shot back with the breeze on the paint of 50.

From there, South Adelaide would unfortunately never regain the lead, as the Double Blues extended their advantage to a game-high 15 points during the second quarter.

The game would remain within that margin, however, as neither side was able to break clear of their opponent.

A quick rebound from defence ended with Bennett kicking his second goal, bringing it back within single digits heading into half-time.

Tom Gillett was awarded with a free kick from an inside 50 ruck contest, converting the set shot.

Shortridge kicked a goal from a tight angle on the boundary, before Bennett added his third running in from the same pocket later on.

Three goals apiece in the third term turned the contest into a one-goal game, as the fourth quarter began with a Bailey Pilmore goal.

The Double Blues’ ability to answer with multiple goals proved decisive, with Sturt again creating separation in the last.

Pilmore capitalised on an unforced error in the final minute to kick his second, but it came too late for the Panthers.

Charlie Duncan led the ball winners with 28 disposals, nine rebound 50s and six clearances.

Smith put in a well-rounded performance with 20 disposals, six marks and a goal.

Nye picked up 16 disposals, applying pressure with his six tackles, also making an impact forward with four inside 50s and a goal.

Kyle Marshall stood out down back with 16 disposals, 10 rebound 50s and seven marks, while Bennett found the goals in each of the first three quarters to finish with three.

Pilmore had two, while the other single goal kickers were Gillett and Shortridge.

South Adelaide will head to Revo Fitness Oval in Round 18 looking to tie up third spot, playing away to the Roosters on Saturday, 15^th August at 11:30am.