All the pre-season running and in season work had led the reserves to an elimination final against Woodville-West Torrens, a team who have been a great match for the Panthers during the year.

At Flinders University Stadium in windy conditions the Reserves were looking to keep their finals campaign alive.

In the first quarter it was a back-and-forth battle, the Reserves doing well to break away and create a lead to start the game.

Harvey Lambert and Ryan Borlace got the Panthers on the board early with their majors.

The Eagles were persistent and kept the quarter competitive, what the Panthers did well was keep their heads together and ensure more scoreboard pressure.

Dakota Sterzl and Hugo Hoeck also got on the board with a major in this term, in the midst of a Eagles response.

The backline was looking strong to start, doing great at contests and making sure to advance the ball back up the ground by foot.

After a great first term the Reserves had maintained a 15-point lead.

The second quarter saw the Eagles take advantage of the breeze, keeping the Panthers to just a minor score. 

However, they had limited the damage keeping it to just 11-points at the main break. 

Kicking with the wind again, Zac Dumesny, Zak Keir, and Jacob Collins all kicked their first majors and aided the Panthers in their battle to get the lead back.

Some inaccuracies in front of goal hurt in the grand scheme of the game but it was good in keeping the Panthers feeling confident.

The back six were ruthless also, stopping almost anything that came their way.

Taking advantage of the wind, the Panthers would put the pressure on the Eagles at the last change, with their noses in front by 11-points. 

One quarter left and a season on the line it was still anyone’s game.

The Panthers looked to stabilise after the Eagles goaled through Deakan Jackson to cut the margin to 4. 

Woodville West-Torrens would turn up the pressure with repeat forward 50 entries, however the Panthers defence would continue to repeal them thanks to the work of Dayne McGary, Lachlan Scott and Riley Jones. 

After 12 minutes of dour defending from the Panthers, Jordan Lukac would score a major for the Eagles putting them up by 2. 

Cooper Rogers was busy around the ground with 30 disposals, but despite the boys best efforts the Eagles would drive a nail into the coffin through Jack Boyd who took a strong contested pack mark pretty much as time expired. 

The Reserves for the first time in 20 years had made back to back final series, which is a good stepping stone for the growth of this young Panthers group. 

They will have a short break before they hit the track in November for another big pre-season looking to go a few steps better in 2025.