MRS Property Match Report Round 2: vs North Adelaide

MRS Property Match Report

South Adelaide vs North Adelaide 
Round 2 - Prospect Oval - 10/04/21

Goals: Fitt, Freitag, Wilkinson 2, Horne, Cailotto
Best: Cailotto, Broadbent, Haren, Summerton, Gibbs, Wilkinson

A spirited South Adelaide fightback secured an eleven-point win over North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

The Panthers, who were trailing by two goals at halftime, piled on seven third-term goals before defending valiantly against a strong breeze to secure a hard-fought victory, 11.11 (77) to 9.12 (66).

Former West Coast Eagle and Tasmanian product, Mitch O'Neill impressed on debut with 15 touches and a team-high 8 tackles. 

Travelling away from home for the first time in 2021, the Panthers had to contend with last year's Grand Finalist, North Adelaide. The game was shaping up to be a mouth-watering clash, and it certainly didn't disappoint.

The strong rains, which had plagued the Reserves match, were thankfully gone by the time the League started, yet the strong winds remained.

Despite the Panthers beginning with this four-goal breeze at their backs, it was the Roosters who kicked the first goal of the match. Throughout the opening term the Panthers struggled to make the most of their early chances. 

Bryce Gibbs made his presence felt early by catching an opponent holding the ball with a crunching tackle while Jake Tarca showed off his pace with a run and carry along the wing.

But it wouldn't be until the sixteenth minute mark that the Panthers struck with their first major of the day, after the one hundred and one gamer Alex Cailotto kicked truly while on the run.

Holding a narrow 1.6 (12) to 1.3 (9) lead at the first change, it was then the Panthers turn to defend against the strong breeze.

There were worrying signs as the home side kicked two unanswered goals during the first seven minutes. But the Panthers showed their strength and were able to regroup and respond with a goal through Liam Fitt.

North Adelaide nearly responded within minutes of Fitt's goal when Lewis Hender cut off a Panther pass at half back.

But since North had flooded up the ground, he had to opt for the torpedo towards goal.

Luckily, the desperate running of Jake Summerton saw him get there just in time to escort the rolling ball through for a behind.

From this kick in, the Panthers were able to go end to end, and Daniel Nobes was able to pluck it out of the air for his first goal of the day.

South Adelaide's backline, which was well-supported by Joe Haines 28 disposals, Ben Haren 23 disposals, and Matthew Broadbent 22 touches, did well to hold the Roosters despite the strong wind. But two late goals saw the Panthers enter the main break facing a 3.6 (24) to 5.6 (36) deficit.

After some inspirational words by Head Coach Jarrad Wright, the Panthers came out after halftime determined to make a stand.

Damon Freitag, who had only just been moved up forward, made an early impact with a goal after just a minute of play. Then Eamon Wilkinson kicked truly on the run to give the Panthers a one-point lead.

The Roosters backline tried to give Jason Horne a hard time, but he showed his class by kicking a much-needed goal of his own.

By this stage, the game had plenty of sting in it, with a few spot fires beginning to happen around the ground as the Panthers refused to be bullied by the home side.

Reece Milsom's miracle goal, from 45m out on the boundary, helped give the Panthers a handy buffer, while three goals within the final seven minutes gave South Adelaide a 10.8 (68) to 6.9 (45) lead.

Following this 35-point turnaround, the Panthers were forced to hold off the Roosters who had the strong breeze at their backs for the final term.

The Panthers did their best to hold them off, but Allmond's goal cut the lead to just ten points with 17 minutes still left to play.

However, a clever clearance by Wilkinson saw South Adelaide move the ball down into their forward 50 where Nic Schwarz was able to steady the side with a crucial goal.

A free kick handed North Adelaide a goal with 12 minutes left to play, but from here onwards the Panthers' played great, composed football.

There are too many key individual moments during the final term to mention, such as Matt Rose's desperate intercept mark at halfback or Broadbent's clever chip kick out of danger.

Yet the moment that perhaps defined the game came in the final minute as the Roosters came storming through the centre of the ground and sent the ball inside 50.

The only thing between them and the goals was Jake Summerton, whose diving mark gave possession back to the Panthers with just a minute left on the clock.

After a few short kicks, the siren would sound to hand South Adelaide a terrific hard-fought win, 11.11 (77) to 9.12 (66).

The triumphant Panthers will now return home to Flinders University Stadium where they will face off against their oldest rival, Port Adelaide, on Saturday, April 17, from 2:10pm.