The league side were looking for their first win of the year against Central Districts in round 3, the boys playing for a purpose.

Two debutants would lace up in round 3 for the Panthers, Finn Emile-Brennan, and Callum McCarty, two lads who would come in and help make an immediate impact.

It wasn’t looking good early in this contest as Centrals would fire away early with a damaging four majors to start the quarter.

Nothing was coming easy to the league side, and they had to adapt quickly, luckily enough Liam Fitt was up for the challenge. 

He’d kick three of his four majors during this quarter each as impressive as the last. 

A massive run would leave his defender in the dust, taking a few bounces in the process to start.

Following this shortly after with an impressive 50-metre set shot on a tough angle.

If that wasn’t enough for the audience, he’d then slot another set shot from 45-metres out just after the 26^thminute.

Unlucky for the league side to end the term when Central's Jake Gasper would kick his fourth of the term, a real dampener on what was a good fightback, leaving the boys down by 13-points headed into the second.

It was back and forth during this term as neither side could peel away from each other. 

The ball was free flowing, and the Panthers did well to capitalise on their opportunities up forward. 

Damon Freitag got it started in the second with his first major coming early in the quarter. His set shot 30-metres out never looking like it was shying away.

Centrals did well to match during the term, managing to also kick three of their own.

The pressure was up though, the catalyst being Arlo Draper, hitting every contest at speed and making the opposition feel it, he’d eventually end up with 9 tackles in the game.

Jake Arundell would do well to kick his major after a clean mark in space would be taken, lining up 35-metres away from home the kick was pure.

Two bulldog majors would follow before Freitag just before time ran out would kick his second goal of the game. Coming off a set shot 20-metres out.

Only down by 14-points headed into the third there was still plenty of time.

It was a strong showing to start with Freitag once again supplying the goods, his third and final coming early in the term.

A smooth passage of play would result in him with the ball 40-metres away for the pins, it should be a known fact at this point that the kick was good, and the Panthers were hunting.

Eamon Wilkinson followed up with his set-shot not long after from 25-metres out, putting the boys in the driver’s seat and right behind the bulldogs.

It unravelled however as the opposition didn’t stop fighting all game matching all the work the league side was putting in.

Noah Howes would kick one more for the Panthers, leaving the squad down by 12-points headed into what was set to be a heated fourth term.

In the last quarter Fitt would secure one early, leaving the door wide open for the league side, however it wasn’t meant to be as no more majors would come for the squad while Centrals would continue to kick their own.

Leaving the boys dry and without the win. McCarty was impressive on debut with 22 disposals while Emile-Brennan would have 18 disposals on the day, showing their intentions early.

A note must be made about Hayden Sampson's game ending with a team high 26 disposals, all making an impact on the play and creating for his teammates.

With that 26-point loss the boys will look ahead to round 4 in hopes of a win against West Adelaide on Saturday the 27^th at Hisense Stadium in a 2:10pm timeslot.

The Reserves were looking for the first win of the season against Central Districts in round 3 and there is no time like the present, the boys ready for a battle.

During the first term it was close, and the boys made sure to keep the pressure up. Neither side able to score a major until the later portions of the term.

It was congested, showing that this game was going to be won by the team who kept their head over the ball for longer.

Dylan Brown would come through for the squad with the only South major of the term just before the 22^ndminute struck. A smart handball forward just in front of the goal square finding Browns hands and simultaneously his boot. 

The term would end with the boys down by 9-points but there was plenty to take away and it was clear that the reserves had what it takes to take down this strong Centrals side.

In the second quarter they showed this in a big way, fighting back and making their presence felt.

It would start slow once again, the boys moving well out of the stoppage and making sure nothing would get past. 

Noah Goldie would break the drought 10-minutes in, his set shot from 40-metres out never looking in doubt, sailing straight through the goals.

Centrals would reply in quick fashion, but it wasn’t going to start an issue. Scott Bedford fired right back. His set shot while hugging the boundary line from 45-metres looking like something straight out of a footy textbook, a momentum shifter in the game.

The boys would continue to fire away up forward with repeat entries but to no avail. Ending the half down by just 1-point.

During the third it was still neck and neck Oscar Lovelock making sure to make his presence be known with his major early in the quarter.

Finding himself clearing a ball right above the square and cruising into a goal in style.

Centrals did well to reply but before the term was over Chester Forster put his stamp on the contest, bringing the boys right back in it and leaving them down by 4-points headed into what should have been a heated fourth term.

This is far from what happened as it transpired as the reserves would go goalless while the bulldogs would fire away with six majors.

Leaving this game on a sour note and shadowing the positive work which the Reserves put in. 

Cooper Rogers would end the game with a team high 24 disposals, as well as a massive 18 tackles, showing his impact across all levels.

The Reserves will look ahead to West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium on Saturday the 27^th in an 11:30am timeslot.