A plucky Panthers start wasn’t enough to keep with Sturt, as they continued to build form in 2026 with a 29-point win at Magain Stadium.

Phillip Moimoi (#1862) made his much-anticipated Panthers debut, while defender Kyle Marshall brought up his 50^th SANFL League game.

It started brightly for South Adelaide when Luke Bogle won a high free kick and converted, before Jack Delean steadied to kick the side’s first two goals of the day.

But as would be the case for much of the game, the Double Blues produced a sharp run of goals to stamp out any work the Panthers put in with their all-action style.

Ben Shillabeer kicked an important goal on the quarter time siren to regain some of the confidence the team took out of the first twenty minutes.

Sturt star Joshua Hone worked into the contest with his first goal after the break, but Arlo Draper cut off a lateral pass and quickly gave it off to Tye Gander, who drilled a long-range effort from outside the arc.

Another turnover in the forward half gave Oliver Davis the chance to capitalise from a set shot, bringing the Panthers back into the game.

Like the first quarter though, Sturt hit back with a run of four goals in under ten minutes to wrestle back control, skill execution letting the Panthers down.

Delean had to earn his second goal after Eamon Wilkinson cut off the lane, though it only temporarily halted the damage.

The reigning premiers showed their class, with Sturt’s efficient ball use and transition play operating at a higher level.

For the Panthers, they showed quality in patches, but not for long enough over the course of the game.

The second half started in familiar fashion, as the professional Double Blues added a final run of three consecutive goals to truly advance the margin beyond reach.

Gander provided an additional highlight after he soared over the pack on the goal line to take a spectacular mark, kicking his second. Shillabeer joined him with a second goal after the siren to end a quarter.

South Adelaide took some consolation from winning the final quarter, with Emmanuel Ajang snapping a goal after two earlier behinds. Shillabeer added his third and Davis his second, though the result had long been decided.

The defeat opens a gap between South Adelaide and the top four, adding pressure in a congested ladder where sides below the Panthers in fifth remain in close contention.

Davis put together another solid performance in a consistent season with 27 disposals, seven marks and two goals. Draper went alongside him with 24 disposals and seven clearances.

Harley Sparks and Finn Emile-Brennan competed, combining for 15 marks with their two-way running.

Isaac Birt did a job in the back half with 19 disposals, six marks and five rebound 50s.

Ajang showed his versatility with a stint in the ruck, while the debutant Moimoi finished with 11 disposals and five marks.

Shillabeer kept things going for the Panthers with his three goals, supported by Delean and Gander with two apiece.

South Adelaide looks ahead to a defining clash with the sixth-placed Adelaide in Round 9, taking place at Magain Stadium on Saturday, 6^th June at 2:10pm.

Thanks to Magain, Saturdays game against the Crows is the Magain Open House where entry is FREE all day. 

South Adelaide made it five wins in a row as they took down a challenging Sturt outfit by 21 points at Magain Stadium in Round 8. 

Jesse Nye kicked the first with a neat snap from the pocket, as the Panthers exploded out of the middle. Pheonix Hargrave continued to impress with his roving and his ability to break away from the stoppage.

Oliver Goss would collect cleanly and had a sight at goal, making no mistake.

Sturt hit back with two in reply, only for South Adelaide to do the same as Corey Grocock benefited from a spoiled ball that fell into his hands for the goal.

Harry Wadewitz then presented to the ball with strength, accelerating play down the wing for Callum Bennett to set up Tye McManus, who finished off in transition.

Following their opening two goals, Sturt continued to create scoring opportunities but lacked in end product as they would kick 1.11 between the midway points of the first and third quarters.

Charlie Duncan kept his feet to assist Ben Ashley-Cooper during a run of four unanswered goals.

Morphettville product Michael Smith, bravely dived in to take an intercept mark low to the ground. The turnover resulted in a change of possession with another goal to Goss down the other end.

Wadewitz was rewarded in front of the sticks with two majors, before Bennett burst away from half-back with a terrific one-handed pick up that set up Goss’ third.

The Panthers defence was under fire, but the likes of Will McCarthy and Lachlan Scott held up in the air and at ground level.

A pinpoint pass from Nye found Bennett, who iced the game with the sealer, leaving the Double Blues to reflect on a frustrating afternoon that produced 6.13.

Young Nye was prolific, finishing with 27 disposals, a team-high 11 marks and nine inside 50s, while also hitting the scoreboard with an early goal.

Duncan collected 30 disposals and seven marks, while Hargrave went big in the first half to end up with 23 disposals and six clearances.

McCarthy patrolled the back half with an impressive 24 disposals and six marks.

Goss kicked his second haul of three in as many weeks, while Wadewitz was the other multiple goalkicker with two.

South Adelaide will look to extend their winning streak, staying home to host Glenelg at Magain Stadium on Saturday, June 6^th and 11:20am.