Reserves Match Report

South Adelaide vs Central District
Round 12 - My Money House Oval - 23/06/18

Goals: Fairlie 3, Tarca 2, Moyle, Hall, Kappler, Whittlesea, Elmes, Colwell
Best: Helyar, Fairlie, McKinnon, Moyle, McGree, Irra
Injuries: Hoey (concussion)

South Adelaide's Reserves held on for an important win on the road against Central District on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers started on fire, but were forced to work for the points by a fast-finishing Bulldogs outfit. However, the visitors held strong and brought home a 11.8 (74) to 9.13 (67) win.

South opened the scoring through Jaidan Kappler and would go on to kick seven of the first eight goals.

The difference was 25 at the first change, as Bulldogs were held goalless, and ballooned to 38 midway through the second term.

After making his League debut last weekend, Kangaroo Island native Coby Helyar put on an impressive display in the middle, gathering 27 touches, winning eight clearances and laying eight tackles.

Up forward the pacy Connor Fairlie was the Panthers most prolific goal kicker, slotting three from his 21 touches.

However, to their credit, Centrals worked their way back into the contest, kicking three unanswered goals at the end of the third to close the lead to 17 at the major break.

The lead could have been shorter if not for some wayward Bulldogs kicking.

The two sides broke even through the third stanza and three even kicks separated the teams at the final change.

It set up a nervy finish for Michael Handby's men, as the Bulldogs closed within single digits twice throughout the final term, with an early goal to Connor McLean leveling the scores at once stage.

However, a second major to Panthers junior Jake Tarca and a steely finish from Alex Moyle secured the win.

Moyle (20 touches) and Jesse McKinnon (16 possessions and seven tackles) also played key roles throughout the game.

Meanwhile, young tall Cameron McGree played a nice game in defence taking several strong marks, while fellow defender Robert Irra (21 disposals) was also lively in his return from State Under-18s duties.

Pre-Order our 2018 Indigenous Guernsey!