MRS Property League Match Report Round 10: South vs Centrals

MRS Property League Match Report

South Adelaide vs Centrals
Round 10 - Flinders University Stadium - 29/08/20

Goals: Wilkinson 3, Heaslip, Fitt, Andrews 2, Hunter, Overall, Cross, McCreery, Brown
Best: Heaslip, Hunter, Schwarz, Wilkinson, Sampson, Andrews
Injuries: Loneragan - back, Juckers - Hip/Corky
Full Injury List

A stunning second half display sees South Adelaide claim a hard-fought Mayor's Cup victory over Central District at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday.

Despite the tough conditions and having two less rotations, the Panthers managed to boot eight second half goals while on their way to a 14.19 (103) to 8.4 (52) win.

Ben Heaslip was impressive for the Panthers with 23 disposals and two goals, while Paul Hunter continued his string of strong performances with 19 touches and a goal.

Playing in just his second game for the Panthers, Williamstown recruit Daly Andrews got things going for his new club with the first goal of the day after just a minute of play.

Then moments later, an interception by Tyson Brown allowed him to set up Sam Overall, who went back and booted his first major of the match to hand South Adelaide an early two goal lead. 

But the Bulldogs were able to steady with a goal into the breeze.

South Adelaide continued to try and make the most of the early momentum and did so thanks to a goal on the run via Eamon Wilkinson. The side continued to pepper the goals but could only muster five behinds.

After several near-misses, the visitors were able to capitalise with another goal into the breeze, and threatened to score again as the game entered stoppage time but the Panthers were able to go end to end, thanks to a clever switch by Matthew Broadbent, and the ball eventually fell into the hands of Wilkinson who finished it off with his second for the term.

Then some great forward pressure forced a Bulldogs' turnover, and at the thirtieth minute mark, Liam Fitt kicked truly from the boundary to further extend the Panthers lead and in the dying stages of the opening term, Joe Haines almost joined the goal kickers list but struck the post.

The goal post would prove to be one of the Panthers biggest enemies as the side would hit the woodwork on at least four occasions throughout the match.

Coming out after the first break with a four-goal lead it was the Panthers' turn to defend against the breeze, and this lead was short-lived as Central's booted three unanswered goals within the first seven minutes. 

The Panthers, having lost James Lonergan during the opening term, were dealt another blow as Danny Juckers was also taken off the ground injured. Then, playing with two less rotationsthings began to look worrying as the Bulldogs scored again to level the scores.

Luckily, Andrews was able to step up with a thumping goal into the breeze to help steady the side, while some gutsy defending by Haines thwarted a late charge by the Dogs handing South a narrow 6.10 (46) to 6.10 (40) lead.

The Panthers headed into the main break with vast advantage in the inside 50 count, with 30 to 17 while the side were provided with plenty of play through the middle thanks to Nic Schwarz and Jesse McKinnon.

But despite this, the Bulldogs opened the scoring in the third term but luckily the Panthers were able to respond thanks to a clever snap by Fitt. Then brown followed up with a goal on the run to extend the Panthers lead.

Making the most of this newfound momentum, Hunter showed his strength by beating two opponents with a strong overhead markbefore kicking truly to get his first of the match.

Jason Horne continued to provide plenty of inside 50s for the Panthers but some costly errors and frees severely hurt the sides momentum. This was before the eventual Best on Ground, Heaslip kicked truly a goal that would hand the Panther a four-goal lead at the final change.

Despite having the lead, the fact that the Panthers had to defend against the wind and with two less rotations meant they had to dig deep in order to get over the line.

After repeated Bulldog inside 50s, Hayden Sampson was able to open up the game through the middle, before Overall was able to combine with Beau McCreery to set up Wilkinson with his third of the match.

With Andrews and Sampson providing the Panthers with plenty of rebound speed, and Jack Elsworthy and Jake Summerton providing plenty of composure down back the Panthers were able to valiantly hold out against the Dogs, and come out with a strong 14.19 (103) to 8.4 (52) win.

Still sitting in third place, South Adelaide will now travel to Peter Motely Oval to face Sturt on Saturday September 5, from 2:10pm.

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