South Adelaide vs Glenelg
Round 12 - Flinders University Stadium - 25/06/2022

Goals: Brown 3, Kraemer, Shillabeer 2, Bradley, Cockshell, Megins, Nye, Spacie
Best: Kraemer, Dumesny, Shillabeer, Brown, Mutch 

The South Adelaide Reserves stunned the reigning premiers with a 26-point upset at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday.

It was a warning to the rest of the competition: a sign of what they are capable of when they have few injuries. The bottom-placed Panthers outclassed the reigning premiers Glenelg to claim a resounding win, 12.6 (78) to 7.10 (52).

Nick Kraemer led the way for the Panthers with a game-high total of 27 disposals. His Round 12 total also included 7 marks, 7 tackles, and 2 goals – which explains his Best on Ground selection.

There were several other Panther products among the best, including Dylan Brown, 3 goals; Zac Dumesny, 23 disposals; and Harry Spacie, 12 tackles. While first-year Panthers Ben Shillabeer and Rhys Mutch played their best games for South Adelaide.

However, fans were a little sceptical heading into this clash. It was their third encounter with Glenelg this season, with the previous matches ending in a 73-point loss and a 68-point loss. But these past results were quickly forgotten as the Panthers pounced on the then fourth-placed Tigers. 

The visitors enjoyed most of the inside 50s during the opening term. However, against the tide, the Panthers registered the first major score of the day thanks to a thumping kick by a running Angus Bradley.

While at the other end, the likes of Dumesny and Dayne McGary helped keep the Tigers goalless to ensure a promising 1.1 (7) to 0.3 (3) lead at the first break.

This lead was soon extended to 10 points when, 15 seconds into the second term, Liam Nye struck with his first of the day. Minutes later, a booming kick by Shillabeer had him on the board with his first as well.

The Tigers eventually found their first major score midway through the second – but the momentum was soon back in the Panthers’ hands following a stoppage goal by Brown. And from there, the Panthers kept pushing. 

Panther junior Koby Cockshell – after taking a contested grab within a second of the siren – then kicked truly to send the blue and white into the halftime break holding a 6.3 (39) to 1.4 (10) lead.

Another junior featured during the early minutes of the third term when Charlie Duncan assisted Spacie for the Panthers' first of the second half.

In total, 4 under-18 listed Panthers played during this match with Will Verrall making his Reserves debut. 

With this youth blending well with the Panther products and recruits: a much-needed Shillabeer goal sent the Panthers into the final break grasping an 8.4 (52) to 5.7 (37) lead. 

The fourth quarter started well. Brown crumbed and kicked his second of the day. Then, on the back of an assist by Jake Cresswell, Kramer slotted his second of the day as well. However, back-to-back goals by the yellow and black soon put the lead in jeopardy.

The visitors pushed for another goal but a clever link-up play from Jack Flett and Brown soon had the ball within the Panthers’ forward arc where Oliver Megins was waiting to kick a crucial goal.

With the Tigers still refusing to go away and the game still up for grabs: Megins crunched a pack to prevent a Tigers’ interception – and in doing so, suffered a concussion.

However, this courageous act ended in a thrilling goal by Brown – and with that, the Panthers' win was sealed, 12.6 (78) to 7.10 (52).

The victorious Panther Reserves will now set their sights on Central District, with their clash with the Bulldogs at X Convenience Oval set for Saturday, 2 July, from 11:20am.

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