The League side were looking to end the season strong and get back into the winner’s circle. Faced against Woodville-West Torrens in front of the home crowd in their last home game of the season, pride was on the line.

In the first quarter, it was all about pressure and getting used to the wet conditions, making sure to keep it tight and make every contest a battle.

Woodville started strong as they got a few on the board early, with South doing well to lock back in and make an impact.

The aerial work by the back six was critical. In the conditions, it was important to not give them any chance at taking a clean mark.

Eventually, the boys would rebound and get themselves on the board. Damon Freitag kicking the first South major of the day, his set shot as pure as anything.

Charlie Duncan would also convert on an impressive 45-metre set shot, putting the boys right back in the game.

The quarter would finish up and see the League side down by 2-points, showing that they were ready to get down and dirty.

In the second quarter, it would remain competitive, as the Panthers did well to lock it up around the ground and wear down the opposition.

Freitag would get on the end of the only South major of the quarter, starting the boys on the right note and providing some wiggle room.

The rest of the quarter was a battle, and it was clear the League side were hellbent on locking down anything that was coming in.

Woodville would get through, but only a few times. A great testament to the work down back.

Out of the middle, South were operating knowing full well it was going to be contested any time the ball was won. Kobe Mutch making sure to keep it in the Panther’s favour with his eventual 11 tackles.

At the end of the half, the side were down by 10-points. With a lot more footy to play, the League side continued to fight.

It began to slip away in the third. With the first half creating fatigue for the boys, the hunt was still evident, but the opposition cleaned up.

Finn Emile-Brennan and Phoenix Hargrave would both kick one in the midst of the Eagles offensive run, doing all they could to mitigate the damage.

It was harsh to say the least, battling through the rain and giving it their all. The boys down back were under siege for a majority of the quarter, fighting every time it came in.

The tragic turn of events that transpired in the third would leave the Panthers down by 32-points.

In the final term, it was a lot like the third. The opposition were continuing to build, while the Panthers would struggle to claw back and close the gap.

Corey Grocock, Arlo Draper, Sam Hindes and Mutch would all slot a major in the midst of the offensive surge of the last quarter.

To put it simply, it was too much to handle for the boys. Although fighting tooth and nail to keep it close down back, Woodville piled it on to finish.

Sam Skinner was a highlight down back with his 8 marks. Anything that came his way was sure to be locked down.

It would end with a loss for the League side, going down by 57-points. Elliot Dunkin in the middle was great, finishing with a team high 25 disposals.

The League side will look towards their final game of the season against Glenelg on Saturday the 24^th at Stratarama Stadium in a 2:10pm timeslot.

There was a lot to play for in Round 18 for the Reserves; a win against Woodville-West Torrens would all but secure a spot in the finals series.

Matched up at home in trying conditions, the boys were ready to put in the work.

In the first, it could only be descried as dodging a bullet. The Panthers struggled to get anything going while Woodville were operating on all cylinders to start.

Luckily enough, the Eagles were inaccurate around the sticks, kicking six minor scores. The Panthers down back doing well to keep the pressure up.

The Reserves didn’t get anything on the board, but around the ground it was clear the boys were building.

At the end of the hard-fought quarter, the side were down by 6-points.

In the second quarter, the scoring began to come in, both sides keeping it close.

The pressure around the ball was still there, but it was clear the skills had lifted. Out the middle, it was a lot cleaner, the boys doing well to climatise.

Jacob Collins would kick both of the South majors in this term, doing well at ground level under pressure as well as getting one to go with a crisp set shot.

The boys down back continued to impress, providing run off these lines and delivering contests.

With a half of footy behind them, the Reserves were down by the same 6-point margin.

The conditions continued to make it a challenge and in the third, both sides were struggling to get anything to go.

Woodville got on the board early, but it slowed up after this point. The pressure was vital for the Reserves to stay in it. Cooper Rogers in the middle spearheading this with his eventual 19 tackles.

Youngster Benny Barrett was huge in the third, as his touches and hunt at the footy kept the side in it. He’d eventually end with a team high 29 disposals.

A back-and-forth affair would see the Panthers headed into their most important quarter of the year down by 13-points.

The Reserves needed to give it their all to get the win in this wet weather battle, fortunately enough, South left their best work until last.

It was a masterclass to finish, knowing what was on the line, the boys locked in.

Woodville wouldn’t score at all as all their efforts were thwarted. The defence are to credit for this, as they were the X factor in this quarter.

Blake Rodrigues would slot two majors in the last, while Collins did well to get on the end of his third in what was an impactful performance.

Dakota Sterzl and Nic Dunshea would also convert on their attempts, building the lead and getting the team over the line.

By the end of the game, the Reserves had secured a 17-point victory, alongside their spot in the finals.

With one game to go against Glenelg on Saturday the 24^th at Stratarama Stadium in an 11:10am timeslot, the excitement is assembling for this team as they prepare for their finals series.