Reserves Match Report

South Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
Round 16 - Alberton Oval - 28/07/18

Goals: Steele 4, Haren 3, Hall, Borrillo 2, McGree, Coleman, McKinnon, Fairlie
Best: Taylor, Hoey, Coleman, Haren, McKinnon, Fairlie
Injuries: Helyar (calf)

South Adelaide's Reserves enjoyed their biggest win of the season as they took down Port Adelaide by 69 points at Alberton Oval.

The Panthers set up an important win for their finals aspirations with a fast start and eventually ran out 15.14 (104) to 5.5 (35) winners.

The win sees South sitting in eight position on the ladder, but still just one game removed from fifth and with a game in hand.

South shot out of the blocks, kicking six goals to one in the first quarter and set up a 31-point lead at the first change and never looked back.

Veteran Scott Taylor and Lee Hoey helped set up plenty of forward forays with their composure across the half back line.

The pair combined for 56 possessions, 17 marks and eight rebound 50s and were key to getting the ball moving forward.

Meanwhile, the clean disposal of Under-18s skipper Tate Coleman (24 touches and seven inside 50s) was a also a highlight, as was his celebration when he snuck forward late in the final term to open his scoring account.

South's second quarter was marred by some inaccuracy in front of goals. The likes of Connor Fairlie (1.4), Ben Haren (3.3) and Jayden Hall (2.2) could all have had some serious impact on the scoreboard if not for some wasteful finishing.

Haren was impressive again in his second game back in the Reserves.

The former Magpie spent more time this week as a lead up forward and amassed 26 touches and 10 marks to go with his three goals.

Fairlie also continued to be a serious accumulator at Reserves level, gathering a game-high 32 possessions and eight clearances.

Meanwhile, he had plenty of assistance in the middle from Jesse McKinnon (23 touches, 15 contested, seven clearances and eight tackles).

The Panthers began to dial in their radar in front of the sticks in the third term, as Nick Steele added his third and fourth for the afternoon.

The fourth was much the same as South continued to steadily push their lead up.

While the League side have a bye this weekend, the Reserves travel to Coopers Stadium to take on Norwood under lights on Friday, August 3. First bounce is at 6:40pm.

Join us as we go back to the 80s!