MRS Property Match Report Round 7: vs Glenelg

MRS Property Match Report

South Adelaide vs Glenelg
Round 7 - Flinders University Stadium - 23/05/21

Goals: Cross, Nobes, Tarca 2, Gibbs, Horne, Overall
Best: Gibbs, Horne, Haines, Cross, Tarca

Sunday was just one of those days: Two tough quarters saw the Panthers suffer a 40-point loss against the ladder leaders at Flinders University Stadium.

A top of the table clash between the two southern rivals who were playing for the Carey-Darley Cup, Sunday's game was sold as a thriller and in ways it did deliver. But unfortunately, the end result wasn't in the Panthers favour, 9.8 (62) to 15.12 (102).

Heading into the big game with midfield pair, Heaslip and O'Neill, out with injury, the Panthers were forced to shuffle around the side that had knocked off the Eagles before the bye.

Being put on the back foot during the opening term, the Panthers managed to claw themselves back into the contest only to be knocked back during the third term.

The big names did rise to the occasion, with Bryce Gibbs collecting with 31 disposals and 11 clearances, while Joel Cross finished with 23 touches and a pair of goals. 9.8 (62) to 15.12 (102).

Sunday's spectacular certainly started well, with Gibbs managing to kick the first goal of the day after just thirty seconds of play. However, from here the visitors wrestled control of the match and piled on five unanswered goals to close the quarter.

Trailing 1.2 (8) to 5.5 (35), the second term saw the Panthers kick towards the 'scoring end', and they made the most of it quickly with a Daniel Nobes goal after just a minute of play. Minutes later, Sam Overall was able to collect a dropped mark and snap his first of the match.

The boys in the blue and white continued to make the most of this momentum, as just minutes later Jake Tarca drilled his first of the match. However, the Panthers run was halted as the Tigers managed to kick two goals in quick succession.

Cross was able to restart the Panthers momentum, after he was able to intercept a Glenelg pass and kick a thumping goal on the run. Then a quick and classy handpass under pressure by Overall allowed Tarca to drill his second of the game.

Heading into the main break with a 5.4 (30) to 7.6 (48) deficit; the Panthers, who were facing off against the competition's best forward line, had attack problems of their own as they lost Eamon Wilkinson to an ankle injury, while both Sams would go onto suffer head knocks.

This came to bare during the third term, as the Panthers went goalless while the Tigers piled on six goals.

Mirroring the 2019 season, when the Panthers were forced to have to fightback from a big three-quarter time deficit; this 2021 clash saw the Panthers sit 44 points down.

But the Panthers didn't roll over, with Jason Horne combining with Cross and Nobes to kick three unanswered goals during the first half of the final term. But it proved to be too little, too late.

While it certainly wasn't the best result, the Panthers will look to learn what they can and look to bounce back when they clash with Central District at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, 29 May, from 2:10pm. 

Not on the train yet? Now's the time to get on! 2021 Memberships now on sale!