Panthers Fight To Defend Home Ground - Round 12 Match Preview

South Adelaide vs Port Adelaide

Round 12 - Hickinbotham Oval - 18/06/16

League 1.10pm, Reserves 10.25am

Adult $14, Concession $8, Under 18s Free

Last Time We Met

Having just past the midpoint of the 2016 IGA SANFL season South Adelaide are undefeated on their home turf, having won their first six matches at Hickinbotham Oval in 2016.

Round 12 sees us come up against one of the two teams we lost to during the first rotation of games, the Port Adelaide Magpies and we aim to keep our home winning streak intact.

Despite their slow start to the season, in Round 9 the Magpies defeated South by 48 points at the Alberton Oval, inflicting the Panthers first loss of the season.

After a tight first term Port Adelaide pulled away on the back of four goals from forward Luke Reynolds.

Meanwhile, South were without several first choice players, with Brad Crabb (suspension), Daniel Bass (suspension), Nathan Daniel (knee), Emmanuel Irra (ankle) and Cam de Visser (concussion) forced to the sidelines. While key players such as Joel Cross was held to just 18 possessions and Brett Eddy kicked an uncharacteristically inaccurate 2.4 due to receiving heavy attention all afternoon.

This weekend brings the match up back south of the city where, in the 21st season of calling Hickinbotham Oval home, the Panthers have defeated every side it has come up against by an average margin of almost five goals.

To defeat the Magpies, South will have to focus on winning the ball after Port Adelaide dominated possession for much of the game in their last encounter, where six Magpies gathered at least 21 touches and won the total count 329 to 286. Matt Rose was the only Panther in that game to register more than 20 touches, collecting 32 possessions against his old side.

Port Adelaide is coming to Hickinbotham Oval on the back of consecutive losses to Sturt and Glenelg. While the Panthers, currently third on the ladder, are coming off of a bye week over the long weekend and a comfortable win against North Adelaide the week prior

Injury Update

South have been dealt an injury blow, with Cameron Hitchcock set to miss a month of footy after injuring his hamstring against the Roosters. Alex Cailotto will also have to prove his recovery from an ankle injury suffered in the same game before he is clear to take on Port.

The Magpies will also be without several key players. With injuries to the Power's AFL list forcing many Magpie regulars into AFL duties, while key defender Alipate Carlisle is also set to miss a significant period with a knee injury suffered against Glenelg in Round 10.

Looking Forward

Round 12 provides South the opportunity to go 7-0 at home on a historic weekend as the club celebrates its 140 year jubilee. To celebrate the event, the team will be wearing a commemorative "140 Year Heritage Guernsey" which features the names of each player who has worn South Adelaide colors since its inception in 1876.

The game worn jumpers will be auctioned at the Club's Blue & White Ball Gala that night, while replicas are available to pre-order via the Club (8186 8200) or online.

It is important that on this significant weekend we defend home ground. Since Brad Gotch has taken the helm in Noarlunga, Hickinbotham Oval has proved an intimidating ground for opposition teams to play at. In the Gotch Era South Adelaide holds a 70% win rate on home turf.

A percentage we hope to continue to increase.

With the goal of maintaining our undefeated home record and finishing the year ready to return to finals action the Panthers are focusing on walking off the ground this Saturday with a win.

Make sure you are there to celebrate the 140-year anniversary as well as support the team, because there is no home ground advantage, unless your there.

Make sure to stay tuned to the website tomorrow afternoon for official teams to take on the Magpies.

Fight on Forever!