Reserves Match Report

South Adelaide vs Norwood
Round 19 - Hickinbotham Oval - 25/08/18

Goals: Elmes 3, Moyle, Sampson, McKinnon, Neville
Best: Sampson, Elmes, Hunter, Fairlie, Hoey, McGree
Injuries: 

South Adelaide's Reserves season has come to an end after a 7.12 (54) to 16.10 (106) loss to Norwood at Hickinbotham Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Panthers were outclassed by a Redlegs outfit that showed why they sit atop the Reserves standings heading into finals.

The sides broke even in several key indicators, with South actually winning the hit out and clearances battle. But it was the clean ball movement and pressure from the Redlegs that would be the Panthers undoing.

Only 13 points separated the sides at the first change, but an 8.7 to 3.7 stretch in the middle quarters (including a goalless Panthers quarter in the second) would put the result beyond doubt.

Young gun Hayden Sampson played an excellent game, racking up 21 touches and getting the ball into his forwards six times while also slotting a goal himself.

Of those Panthers fowards, Jackson Elmes was the most dangerous on the ground, kicking a bag of three which could have been even greater if not for some inacuracy in front of the sticks.

Adam Hunter (34 touches and seven clearances) responded well to his return to the Reserves, while Connor Fairlie (36 possessions) continued to acumulate the footy at Reserves level.

The Panthers backline did perform admirably under considerable pressure at times. Lee Hoey continued his improvement over the course of the season with another impressive performance, ably assisted by Aiden Baker and Ben Millman.

Meanwhile, young ruckman Cam McGree had a good showing around the stoppages with 25 hit outs and six tackles.

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