League Match Report

South Adelaide vs North Adelaide
Trial 1 - Hickinbotham Oval - 10/03/18

Goals: Cross, Heaslip, Haren 2, Davis, Moyle, Rankine, Raitt
Disposals: Fields 18, Cross, Heaslip, Szust 16, Biemans 14, McKinnon, Summerton 12
Injuries: nil

South Adelaide's League team got their first competitive hit out against outside opposition under their belt on Saturday afternoon.

Despite a strong first half, the young Panthers were unable to hold off a fast-finishing Roosters outfit that made the most of their opportunities in front of goals, falling to a 10.10 (70) to 13.3 (81) defeat.

South got off to a quick start, as Keegan Brooksby won the first tap of the day and seconds later Joel Cross strolled in on goal and made no mistake from 30m out.

Both captains impressed in their three quarters of game time, with Brooksby getting his hand to 19 hit outs, while getting the ball inside 50 five times from his 10 touches, while Cross (16 possessions and 2.3) could have easily kicked more than his two goals if not for some wayward finishing.

Tom Fields continued to enjoy his more attacking role, leading all comers with 18 disposals, while the young trio of Cody Szust, Ben Heaslip and Jesse McKinnon found their share of the ball.

Heaslip also joined Cross as the major scorer for the afternoon, while Ben Haren slotted a pair of his own.

New recruit Anthony Biemans looks set to become a fan favourite with his attack at the footy, while Jake Summerton and Tom Whittlesea fought well at their ends of the ground.

Their were plenty of positive signs from the Panthers first half.

Jarrad Wright's men kept the scoreboard ticking over and showcased some clean passages of offensive movement.

However, the goals dried up in the second half, including a goalless third term.

With several older heads playing limited game time the Panthers less experienced side were unable to reign in the free-flowing Roosters as they hit their straps.

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