Despite a competitive first half, the Panthers couldn’t run with the Redlegs, who kicked seven goals in the third quarter to set up a 22-point win at Coopers Stadium.

South Adelaide held the lead at quarter time, dominating the inside 50 count 16-4, but were unable to capitalise on their chances created with five behinds scored for only two goals. A flurry of early Panthers entries was undone, as Norwood’s Tristan Binder marked at the top of the square to kick the first.

After 15 minutes, Bailey Pilmore broke through for the Panthers first after he was nudged out of a marking contest, converting the set shot from the subsequent free kick.

The quarter was played mostly in South Adelaide’s forward half, setting up well behind the ball to force Norwood into sideways, uncontested chip kicking to progress the ball.

It proved ineffective, with the likes of Kyle Marshall and Will McCarthy beating out their opponents on multiple occasions to lock the ball in.

Olivier Northam was imposing around the ground, able to rove his own ruck work out of the centre.

Finn Emile-Brennan was around the ball every time the Panthers looked to move the ball quickly, running on to receive the ball off hands.

Attack on the football and repeat entries eventually saw Ben Shillabeer rewarded with a free kick out of a ruck contest, flushing the shot from outside 50.

Norwood came out of the first break and were able to freshen up, the game turning in their favour as they looked to reset, the ball living in their forward half for much of the second term.

But much like the Panthers, the Redlegs were unable to convert their reward for effort on the scoreboard, with South Adelaide managing to keep within striking distance.

Arlo Draper came into the fold, getting first hands on stoppages to win clearances in the middle.

Though on the back foot, South Adelaide always looked for the corridor, but often to their own demise due to poor skill execution.

Jack Delean, having an almost night in front of goal, made the most of Emmanuel Ajang bringing the ball down inside 50 to snap on his left boot and level the scores as the siren blew for half-time.

Coming off his appearance for the West End State Team in last week’s SANFL vs VFL showcase, vice-captain Oliver Davis found plenty of the ball early in the third and impressed with his clean evasiveness through traffic.

However, the third quarter was where the game was won, as Norwood found their way through the Panthers’ defensive set up to kick seven goals to two, built off stoppage dominance and on-ball pressure.

It would take Pilmore to run across and take a strong mark on the lead from a last disposal kick-in, snapping a run of four Norwood goals against the flow of play.

Draper then roved a perfect tap from Tom Gillett in the pocket to kick a clever goal, but on both occasions where South Adelaide responded, Norwood immediately answered with one of their own.

A spirited fight in the last quarter with goals to Draper and Northam was ultimately not enough, as the margin proved too much for the Panthers to chase down.

Davis and Draper ended with 26 and 27 disposals a piece, each with a goal, while Seamus Mitchell and Arie Schoenmaker provided drive off half-back as the other high disposal getters.

Pilmore was the only multiple goal kicker for South Adelaide, finishing with two.

South Adelaide will look to bounce back as they return to Magain Stadium to host Central District in Round 4 on Sunday, 26^th April at 1:10pm.