South Adelaide vs Central District
Round 1 - Flinders University Stadium - 01/04/2023

Goals: Sproule 3, Brown, Freitag, Wilkinson 2, Schuback
Best: Skinner (Thanks to Betta Home Living McLaren Vale & Victor Harbor), Brooksby (Thanks to Sports Power), O’Neill (Thanks to Jimmy Deane's), Freitag, Sproule
Injuries: Mutch (Concussion)
Crowd: 1234

It’s a great time to be a Panther as the Reserves and League team get the win over Central District.

It is one of the best times of the year as the Hostplus SANFL league is back in full swing.

A new season opens plenty of doors for teams to make an immediate impact. 

Being a new season, it goes without saying some new faces have popped up around the place, with four players putting on the blue and white for the first time.

These being Kobe Mutch, Jonti Schuback, Ely Smith and Zac Sproule all impressive players who are ready to make a difference for the Panthers. 

For round one the first challenge of the year was Central Districts, faced with cooler conditions the stage was set. 

The first quarter had Central’s written all over it early as they managed to kick the first two major scores of the game. 

When the response can it was an impressive one, as Eamon Wilkinson unloaded from behind the 50-metre arch kicking a bullet which went straight through for South’s first goal of the season. 

The next major score would come late in the term as Dylan Brown with an exquisite read and pickup of a high ball would lead to another Panther goal. Tying a bow nicely on a solid term.

Rolling into the second term it was a dead heat as there was only four points in it. The impressive efforts from Joseph Haines early were vital and needed to continue if the Panthers were going to get over the line. 

The second quarter started strong as Damon Freitag got a goal to go through early. Deep in the pocket the smooth snap was enough to build the lead slightly. 

This would be the only South goal of the term and in the lapse, it was the efforts of Bryce Gibbs which would prove to be crucial in stopping a Central run from occurring.

The first half would end with the league team in the lead with a score of 3.7 to 3.2. 

This was not enough for the squad, as the third term would become a South Adelaide masterclass as five goals would go unanswered by Central. 

Freitag would kick his second of the game early after his beautiful set shot sailed through. 

It was time for the new Panther Sproule to shine as he would kick his first goal. Doing so with an elegant set shot in front. 

Before the boys could catch their breath, the ball was cruising through for another goal as Wilkinson would read the ball perfectly and finish the job securing his second.

Central could not rebound as the boys down back were strong all quarter not letting anything slide past. 

Sproule would see the ball land in his lap once again in scoring range after the compossed kick from Brown was perfect. Sproule securing the finish off his exquisite set shot from 30-metres out. 

After the first 10 minutes it seemed the scoring was over until debutant Schuback would extend the lead even further late in the term. Slotting the set shot and sealing off an immaculate third quarter. 

It was going to be hard for Central to bounce back especially with the game Mitch O’Neill was having as he would end with 27 disposals. 

In the fourth quarter it was a lot of the same as South added another two major scores.

These coming from Brown who would kick his second from a set shot in front.

Then Sproule once again using his experience to get in the right spots would kick his third set shot and end the game with 3.1. 

Central tried to rebound but it was too late as the damage was already done. South would end the game leading by 26 points. 

A strong start for the League team with an impressive effort from everyone involved. Next week the squad will prepare for Woodville-West Torrens for a Good Friday Blockbuster.

South Adelaide Reserves vs Central District Reserves
Round 1 - Flinders University Stadium - 01/04/2023

Goal: Kantilla 3, Emery, Kirkland 2, Bedford, Cockshell, Dunshea, Kraemer, Rogers
Best: Douglass (Thanks to Becks Bakehouse), Mitton, Mantilla, Hayes, Tucker

It is that time of year once again and here at South Adelaide we could not be more excited for the season to come. The reserves coming in with big aspirations for the year ahead.

In round one the Panthers were faced with a fierce opposition in Central Districts, and it goes without saying a statement needed to be made. 

After a quick goal by the bulldogs early, South kicked into gear and hit back hard kicking four major scores. 

Kim Kantilla’s electric tackling skills landed him with the ball in the attacking fifty, opting for the quick give to Kyle Emery who slotted the booming goal from 40 metres out. 

Shortly after it was Kantilla following on from his pressure act earlier who would have his chance to hit the scoreboard. Doing just that getting the set shot to go through. 

Before the dust even settled South were back at it again. It was Cameron Kirkland who would read the play perfectly and swoop up the ground ball, adjust and manage to see the ball through for the third goal of the term.

Late in the term Kobe Cockshell would get the breakthrough the squad was desperately after, getting the soccer to go through moments before the siren went to end the term.

It was Kantilla who continued to add to his already impressive game by kicking South’s first major score of the second term. Using his speed to pick up the tumbling ball, get past the defender and snap the goal. 

Similarly, to the first term a scoring lapse would follow, and it became a challenge for the boys to get back in scoring range. 

Cooper Rogers made his presence felt during this time. Ending the game with 23 disposals. 

The boys needed a reply after three central goals during the quarter and Emery delivered. Getting a hold of the highly contested ball in front of goal, snapping it through. 

After the great first half the Reserves put their foot down in the third quarter. Kicking four goals to one. With Nic Dunshea getting one to go through within the first minute of the term.

Followed shortly after by Rogers who read the pack perfectly receiving the tap out back and gathered the ball swiftly for the snap at goal.

It would be some time before the next score, and this is where Luke Mitton would do his best work. Providing plenty of options and hitting every contest. 

Scott Bedford and Kantilla would kick the next two in short succession late in the term. Giving Central little hope of making a comeback. 

In the fourth term the writing was on the wall despite a few early goals from Central. 

It would take until the seventeenth minute of the fourth term for South to make an impact on the scoreboard again as Nic Kraemer had the simple set shot in front.

Then Kirkland added some more salt in the wound slotting his second of the contest. 

It was a tough fought game throughout, but the South Reserves proved they were the team who wanted it more. Getting the job done in respectable fashion. 

Next week is a whole different beast as the boy’s face Woodville-West Torrens from 11:30am on Good Friday at Flinders University Stadium.