League Match Report

South Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
Round 9 - Hickinbotham Oval - 03/06/18

Goals: Fitt 4, Szust, Biemans 2, Liddle, Kreuger, Davis, Brown, Rankine, Fields, Heaslip, Haren
Best: Liddle, Brooksby, Fitt, Redigolo, Biemans, Haines
Injuries:
Crowd: 1774

South Adelaide have moved themselves a game clear in the top five after a 36-point win over Port Adelaide on Sunday at Hickinbotham Oval.

The Panthers kick started their claim for the points with a strong first quarter performance that saw them kick five unanswered goals to the Magpies three behinds.

The hosts did have to hold off several Port Adelaide charges, as the visitors closed within nine points midway through the third term, but had a counter punch for each Magpie run and saw out a 16.11 (107) to 10.11 (71) win.

Things got moving early for Jarrad Wright's men as youngsters Liam Fitt and Cody Szust got the Panthers on the board in the first 10 minutes.

South enjoyed much of the play for the term and once Szust added a second, Nick Liddle danced around a crowd for his first and Anthony Biemans kicked truly, the home side had opened up a 29-point buffer by the first change.

Despite co-captain Joel Cross being well held by a strong tag from Will Snelling, the Panthers midfield was clicking through the outstanding play of Liddle and their other skipper Keegan Brooksby.

Liddle was the greatest accumulator on the ground, racking up 29 disposals and a goal in another best on ground display.

Meanwhile, Brooksby continued to round into some superb form, putting in a monstrous line of 22 disposals, eight marks, 11 clearances and 42 hit outs against the Magpies three-headed ruck brigade of Billy Frampton, Sam Hayes and Peter Ladhams.

The Magpies clawed back early in the second, connecting on the first two majors scores.

However, long range efforts from Matt Rankine and Abe Davis, plus another clinical Biemans finish helped maintain a 27-point buffer at the major change.

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To their credit the Magpies charged again in the third and once former Glenelg wingman Dom Barry punched one home South's lead would be cut to nine.

However, the fourth quarter belonged the home side.

The Panthers kicked the first three goals of the term through left-footers Fitt, Ben Haren and Tom Fields to push the margin back out the 37 and beyond reach.

Fitt put in a fine performance, leading all scorers with four goals in arguably his best performance of his young career.

Former Magpie Biemans was also impressive up forward, slotting two goals and imposing himself physically on the game with his pressure and aerial presence.

Meanwhile, backmen Tarak Redigolo, Tyson Brown and Joseph Haines all played well to restrict the offensive weapons at the Magpies disposal.

The Panthers now enjoy an extended break before preparing for a tough clash with reigning premiers Sturt at Peter Motley Oval on the Queen's Birthday Monday.

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