South Adelaide Reserves vs Glenelg Reserves
Round 14 - Flinders University Stadium - 09/07/2022

Goals: Freitag 3, Flett 2, Cresswell, Griffiths, Spacie, Tucker
Best: Spacie, Dumesny, Hayes, McGary, Douglass

South Adelaide Reserves pounced after halftime to break the Redlegs with a 27-point victory at Flinders University Stadium on Sunday.

The Panther Reserves, who continue to offer glimpses of their potential, were in control for much of the second half which saw them record an impressive win, 9.9 (63) to 5.6 (36).

This victory was further highlighted by the performance of Harry Spacie, who led the way for the Panthers with 21 disposals, 8 tackles, 8 clearances, and a goal.

Among the many other strong contributors were Zac Dumesny, 30 disposals, 7 tackles; Lachlan Hayes, 16 disposals, 4 tackles; and Dayne McGary, 13 disposals.

Facing off against Norwood – the same side that the Panthers had claimed their first Reserves win of the season against – South looked determined to complete the double.

And it started well, with Jack Flett scoring the opening goal of the game within the first 3 minutes of play.

However, in the wet conditions, this goal was a rare sight for the first quarter. With that being said, the Panthers did enter the first break grasping a promising lead, 1.4 (10) to 1.2 (8).

Damon Freitag then made himself known after taking a strong grab which allowed him to go back and boot his first of 3 goals of the day. Then Spacie, after taking a gutsy interception mark, handed the Panthers their first consecutive goal for the day.

A goal during the dying minutes by the visitors disrupted the momentum; but still, the Panthers headed into the main break holding a 9-point lead, 3.5 (23) to 2.2 (14).

And then the flood gates opened. Freitag snapped his second of the day within the first minute of play.

Darnell Tucker then swayed his kick through for a goal and Bailey Griffiths – on the back of a classy assist by Angus Bradley – followed suit with his first goal of the day.

A coast-to-coast play in the dying minute of play was finished off by Jake Cresswell to increase their lead at the final change to 28 points, 7.7 (49) to 3.3 (21).

Flett, who showed plenty of flare throughout the day, kicked a thumping goal a minute into the final term to increase South’s lead. However, the Redlegs would threaten to come back as they scored back-to-back goals midway through the quarter.

But several key defensive efforts, including an interception by Dumesny and a smother by Sam Hindes, helped keep the visitors at an arm’s length. Finally, in the final minute – and after absorbing Norwood’s attempted comeback – Freitag finished another end-to-end play with a check side goal.

And with that, the Panthers’ stellar win was complete, 9.9 (63) to 5.6 (36).

The Panther Reserves will look to continue their winning ways when they face off against Sturt at Wigan Oval on Saturday, 23 July, from 11:30am.