Lumin Sports Match Report: Round 1 vs Centrals

Lumin Sports Round 1 Match Report

South Adelaide vs Central District 
Round 1 - Flinders University Stadium - 2/04/2022

Goals: Menzie 4, Garthwaite 3, Overall 2, Kreamer, Freitag, O'Neill, Turner 
Best: O'Neill, Menzie, Gibbs, Brooksby, Haines
Crowd: 1288

Debutant Delight: South Adelaide claim a thrilling 5-point win against Central District during their season-opening clash at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday.

Round One was a weekend like no other for the Panthers. They had 11 debutants and were without head coach Jarrad Wright – yet they managed to pull through with a Mayors Cup victory, 13.7 (85) to 12.8 (80).

In a tale of 2 halves; the Panthers seemed to be storming towards a big win during the second term – only to have to battle a fierce Bulldogs’ fightback in the second half. It took the combined efforts of the Panthers’ fresh and familiar faces to hold out for the win.

Among these new names was the Tasmanian recruit Jye Menzie, who booted 4 goals on debut. Richmond recruit Ryan Garthwaite struck with 3 goals – while Oscar Clavarino andElliot Dunkin were standouts down back.

Likewise, the speed and class from Oscar Brownless and Sam Ramsay were welcomed additions; while pathway product Lachlan Hayes offered glimpses of his potential.

Some of the familiar names that made their presence felt were Mitch O’Neill, who earned Best on Ground honours after collecting a round-high total of 35 disposals.

Bryce Gibbs (28 disposals, 10 tackles) and Keegan Brooksby (41 hit-outs) were also impressive.

Facing off against the same side who had defeated them in a trial game just months prior; the Panthers were forced to combat an early surge by the Bulldogs.

During the opening minutes, Centrals enjoyed repeated forward entries. But they were thwarted thanks to interceptions by a defensive debutant duo in Dunkin and Harrison Gunther. 

After absorbing the pressure, the Panthers rebounded, went end to end, and Menzie welcomed his first appearance for the Panthers with the opening goal of the game.

Following suit, Garthwaite registered his first goal as a Panther while Damon Freitag, after he took an eye-catching one-hander, slotted his first of the season to hand South a 3.2 (20) to 1.1 (7) at the first break.

The Panthers then went on the offensive with 3 goals in 4 minutes – starting with a ping pong inspired goal by Fraser Turner.

A minute later, a soaring Sam Overall mark saw him register his first. Then an O’Neill clearance out of the centre helped assist Garthwaite’s second major.

Central District managed to halt the momentum with a replier, but this was only momentarily as Menzie recorded his second of the game just minutes later.

The Panthers continued to threaten to run away with the game. More goals, O’Neill’s first and Garthwaite’s third, sent the blue and white into the main break holding a 9.3 (57) to 5.5 (35) lead.

Coming out after halftime, it looked as if the Panthers had wrestled control of the match. But this feeling was short-lived as the Bulldogs booted 3 unanswered goals within the opening 11 minutes.

A chase-down tackle by Reese Slape prevented a fourth Dogs’ goal – yet the momentum still sat heavily in the visitor’s favour.

Needing something to help turn the tide; the answer came through Isaac Birt, whose clearance allowed South a rare attack and, after getting out the back, Menzie sprinted into an open goal for a crucial major score.

However, with their tails up the Bulldogs kept pushing for a replier. A big, contested mark by Brooksby and a courageous intercept mark by Birt helped keep the visitors at bay.

Yet the Dogs finally broke through in the dying minutes of the term to cut the Panthers' lead to just a goal at the final break, 10.5 (65) to 9.5 (59).

With their promising buffer seemingly gone, things went from bad to worse as the Dogs tied the game with a goal coming just a minute into the fourth term.

Another visitors’ goal minutes later handed the Panthers an 8-point deficit – and it looked like the side may have been heading for a Round One defeat.

However, from the centre clearance, the Panthers won possession, attacked deep inside 50 and, after a clever centring kick by Turner, Menzie was able to volley it through for a much-needed goal.

Offering a glimpse of what was to come from his final quarter display, Nic Kraemer then assisted Overall for his second – which also handed the Panthers a 4-point lead.

Having entered stoppage time, a Bulldogs goal gave them the lead and it looked as if that was going to be the match-winner.

Things looked even less promising for the Panthers with the ball on the halfback flank. Yet putting their bodies on the line to regain possession, South went end to end in a desperate attempt to retake the lead.

Awaiting inside the arc was Kraemer, who managed to get his kick away seconds before being taken down in a tackle. The ball bounced across the line with several Bulldogs in pursuit – handing back the lead to the Panthers.

With the likes of Clavarino and Joe Haines behind the footy, the Panthers managed to trap the ball inside their forward half for the remaining minutes which handed them the unique Round One win, 13.7 (85) to 12.8 (80).

South Adelaide now turns their attention towards fierce rival Port Adelaide; with the Panthers set to battle the Magpies at Alberton Oval on Saturday, 9 April, from 2:10pm.

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