South Adelaide Reserves vs Woodville West-Torrens Reserves
Round 19 - Flinders University Stadium - 20/08/2022

Goals: Sladojevic 2, Bogle, Cresswell, Douglass, Bradley, Flett, Gill, S.Jones, Nye
Best: Gunther, Lovering, Bogle, S.Jones, Douglass

South Adelaide Reserves end their season on a high with a 20-point upset win over Woodville-West Torrens at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday. 

The Panthers completed their impressive second half of the year with a hard-fought victory over the fourth-placed Eagles, 10.7 (67) to 6.11 (47). 

It was a tough battle for South, but one that highlights their potential heading into next season. Among the many standouts was the versatile defender Harrison Gunther, whose Best on Ground display included 16 disposals and 9 marks.

Also impressive were Tate Lovering, 22 disposals and 11 marks; Luke Bogle, 21 disposals and 7 clearances; and Aaron Douglass, 6 tackles and a goal.

Heading into the match, the Panthers were determined to reverse the result that occurred during the mud-filled slog earlier in the season – but things didn’t look promising early.

The visitors dominated the clearances, and as such, they recorded 2 unanswered goals within the first 11 minutes of play. Showing their development since Round One, the Panthers then made the necessary changes to help stem the tide.

Jake Cresswell certainly showed his intentions early with some gutsy in-and-under type footy on the wing. And soon the Panthers were able to open their account thanks to a Nash Mitchell-inspired play that ended with a thumping goal by Jack Flett. 

This seemingly turned the momentum in the Panthers’ favour. Keeping the pressure on, the Panthers found the score-levelling goal within the final minute of the quarter through an unlikely source – Shannon Jones.

The usual defender played his best game to date, finishing with 22 disposals, 7 rebound 50s, and 6 marks.

Locking the scores at 2.3 (15) each at the first change. The Panthers soon took the lead on the back of a goal by Angus Bradley. While some clever footy through the middle by Bailey Griffiths, Fraser Turner, and Cooper Rogers helped keep the Eagles guessing.

Then a clearance by Jacob Collins allowed him to set up Daniel Sladojevic, who went back to increase the Panthers’ lead to 2 goals.

The visitors did fightback – but a Brian Gill goal, thanks in part to a Liam Nye-chase down tackle, made sure the blue and white held a narrow lead at halftime, 5.4 (34) to 4.6 (30).

And this narrow lead grew to 10 points when Bogle ended a smooth passage of play just minutes into the third quarter. This allowed the Panthers to enjoy the early momentum.

Sladojevic then marked strongly within close range of the goals, allowing him to kick his second straight major of the match. 

Then Creswell was able to take a huge grab – which he celebrated by adding another goal to his season-tally. However, the rest of the scoring came from the Eagles which set the three-quarter-time margin to a goal, 8.4 (52) to 6.10 (46).

This margin was extended to 2 goals thanks to a Douglass score within the opening minute. Then as the Panthers continued to storm home, Nye was able to quickly snap while on the run to create a healthy buffer.

Some determined interceptions by Rhys Mutch and Gill, along with a desperate spoil by Mitchell, helped soak up the majority of the Eagles’ attacking energy.

A behind from beyond the arc by Mutch made it a 4-goal game – and from there, the Panthers cruised to their season-ending win, 10.7 (67) to 6.11 (47).

This win was a solid end for the Panthers' new-look Reserves side. Like the League, they have had to battle through their injury problems – so this win was the perfect end to an impressive second half of the year for them.

One which they will be able to build on as they head into the new year. And it acts as a credit to the squad and to Alex Pigou in his first year at the helm.