MRS Property Match Report Trial 1: South vs Port Adelaide

MRS Property League Match Report

South Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
Trial 1 - Alberton Oval - 04/03/21

Goals: Nobes 3, Brown, Fitt, Tarca, Sampson

Promising Panther sights and Thursday night lights were on display at Alberton Oval during the first trial match of 2021.

Despite being one of the hardest travels in football and with several key players rested, there were still plenty of positives for the Panthers to take from the 7.7 (49) to 8.13 (61) loss to Port Adelaide.

The most notable being the performance of Daniel Nobes who kicked three goals during his first hit out for the Panthers. Returning Panther Jake Tarca was also impressive, while West Coast recruit Mitch O'Neill showed his classy ball movement.

With more match day experience this year and with the aid of the breeze, the Magpies got the jump on the Panthers by booting four unanswered goals during the opening term. It was not until the second quarter that the Panthers began to click.

The first play of the day was created via a Tarca led rebound off half back. Which was finished off beautifully by Nobes, whose soaring overhead mark allowed him to go back and drill the Panthers first goal of the game. Nobes, who has had plenty of goalkicking experience in country football, followed up minutes later with his second of the match.

Looking at home in the blue and white, Bryce Gibbs gave supporters plenty to get excited for as his clean pick up and handpass allowed Tarca to run in and kick his first of the match to close the early Magpie lead.

The Panthers were storming from end to end when the siren sounded, which handed them a 3.3 (21) to 6.7 (43) deficit at halftime.

Showing his versatility during the second half was Tyson Brown whose strong overhead mark at close range allowed him to kick the first goal of the third term. Minutes later and at the other of the ground, Jack Elsworthy showed his composure around the packs to prevent a Port Adelaide rebound.

Throughout the third term, South Adelaide's pressure was constant, and the backline continually held firm as the boys in the blue and white continued to close the gap.

Excitement machine Nigel Lockyer showed his cleverness with a one-handed grab, while Luke Bogle followed suit just a minute later with a one-handed grab of his own. Marks aside, the siren would sound before the Panthers could further dent the Magpies lead, which still sat at 4.5 (29) to 7.9 (51) at the final change.

Hayden Sampson looked lively during the final term, catching an opponent holding the ball within the first ten seconds of the quarter. Once the ball was in the Panthers forward 50, their pressure made sure it stayed there thanks to great tackling by Lockyer and Alex Cailotto.

This forward pressure eventually saw Port Adelaide force the ball out, which allowed Liam Fitt to mark his return which a goal snapped from the pocket.

South Adelaide collected it straight from the following centre bounce, and Fitt made his presence felt again with a thumping kick towards goal which fell into the hands of Nobes who drilled it through from the pocket for his third of the day.

Visibility became an issue during the final term as the Alberton lights struggled to light up the field but by this stage the game was all but over, with the score line reading 7.7 (49) to 8.13 (61) in favour of Port Adelaide.

South Adelaide's next trial game sees them travel to Hisense Stadium to face West Adelaide on Friday March 12, from 7:20pm.