After leading at every break, South Adelaide has fallen short by six points in a thrilling contest against Glenelg at Magain Stadium.

The home side started the match with plenty of intensity, with the goalpost the only thing preventing Kody Shortridge from kicking the first major of the afternoon.

Despite a promising start, Glenelg registered the first two goals of the game against the run of play, putting the home side on the back foot early.

Skipper Jesse Nye was prominent early, leading the way in the midfield with strong tackling and clearances. He also showcased his work rate with several marks around the ground.

Frontal pressure was crucial to South’s first goal of the game, making it impossible for the visitors to exit defensive 50 and resulting in Hudson Voigt’s soccer-style finish in the square.

Shortridge found himself in the right place at the right time again, marking a hacked kick from Nye around 40 metres out before caressing his kick home beautifully to restore South’s lead.

The home side was generating plenty of rebound from the back half, with Elliot Duffield and Jake Wigzell leading the way in that metric.

Patrick Carman’s relentless pressure should have been rewarded with a goal, but he was left distraught after missing from just a few metres out.

Following two quality chances for Elijah Koop, Benjamin Dittmar took it upon himself to convert a set shot from a tight angle, giving South a two-point lead nearing quarter-time.

Carman made up for his uncharacteristic miss in the first term, using his strength to push off his direct opponent and dribble home his first of the match.

South Adelaide’s midfield provided plenty of drive from stoppages, with Thomas Simpson often working hard to receive a handball and move the ball forward.

In defence, Jackson Blacker dominated the air, taking several strong marks. He combined well with Cameron Woods, who defended strongly and launched multiple forward forays.

Glenelg refused to let the lead extend beyond two goals. However, South Adelaide continued to create opportunities from nothing, with Dittmar snapping truly in congestion for his second.

Both sides traded blows throughout the remainder of the term, with neither able to break away and take control of the contest.

At the main break, South’s lead increased by the narrowest of margins to just three points. After a high-quality first half, many supporters were eager to see what the third term had in store.

Nye refused to be beaten in the contest and worked efficiently with Kodah Edwards, using their ball-winning ability to give South first use at stoppages.

Glenelg came out with intent in the early stages of the third, driving the ball inside 50 several times. Kai Clark and Edwards laid key defensive tackles to deny scoring chances.

Cain Florance showcased his elite kicking, finding Dittmar on the lead. However, the dangerous forward couldn’t convert his set shot from close range.

With the lead just two points, Angus White reacted quickly to intercept a Glenelg handball and found Nye, who laced out Carman inside 50.

Carman remained composed under pressure and nailed his second goal, stretching South’s lead to eight points.

But Glenelg found a timely response with a 19th-minute goal. After a period of desperate football from both sides, the siren sounded, setting the stage for a dramatic final term.

Glenelg began the last quarter strongly, forcing South to defend manically. The visitors kicked the first goal within two minutes, snatching a four-point lead.

Harry Wadewitz refused to be beaten by his direct opponent, and was proactive in pushing the ball forward for South.

After several minor scores from Glenelg, Carman again created something from nothing—using his power and agility to get off a flying shot at goal, which narrowly missed.

With the clock becoming a factor, South Adelaide needed a spark. Nye’s classy kick inside 50 found Dittmar, who marked strongly despite heavy contact.

After steadying himself, Dittmar slotted his set shot from 35 metres out on a slight angle, bringing the margin back to just one point.

Neither side was afforded time or space in the frantic final minutes, but Woods managed to find room to drive the ball forward, resulting in a behind to Shortridge.

With the scores momentarily level, Glenelg capitalised on a rare lapse during a forward-50 stoppage to snap a crucial goal and reclaim the lead.

Despite gallant efforts to find a late winner, South was unable to break through Glenelg’s tight defence as the clock ticked down. As the siren sounded, the Panthers were left to rue a missed opportunity.

Following the heartbreaking loss, South Adelaide will now turn its attention to a clash against second-placed Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Saturday, 26 April, at 12:20pm.

A slick and high-scoring South Adelaide outfit proved too strong for Glenelg, with a six-goal opening quarter setting up a commanding 54-point win at Magain Stadium.

Zemes Pilot produced an early individual highlight, collecting the ball in the centre of the ground, taking several bounces before composing himself and slotting the first goal of the match.

South Adelaide’s midfield hunted the ball with intensity, with Hudson Boal and Dylan Noyce laying several tackles and driving the ball forward from stoppages.

The visitors registered their first goal of the match, but South wasted no time responding. A brilliant smother and bump from Kody Burke allowed Joel Wigzell to snap his first, restoring his side’s lead.

Defensively, Sam Walsh and Dale Shearer were resolute on the last line, while Caleb Hyland and Noyce provided dangerous rebound from half-back.

Noyce showcased his skill and composure with a long-range snap that extended South’s lead to 11 points, providing reward for effort.

Glenelg kicked two quick goals to regain the ascendancy, but their one-point buffer was short-lived, as James Howley converted his set shot to steady the ship.

After an exciting opening quarter, Pilot added to his goal tally, snapping truly after being rewarded for a strong tackle.

South Adelaide increased its lead minutes later when Oliver South’s clever pass inside 50 found ruck Max Gregor on the boundary, who curled through a great snap.

At the first break, the home side held a comfortable 15-point lead.

Following the high-scoring opening term, the second quarter turned into more of an arm wrestle, despite both sides creating several quality opportunities.

Tom Meaney began to influence the midfield, while Fergus Vogt and Darcy Campbell-Kearney played important linking roles between the arcs.

One of the best scoring chances of the quarter came when Lucas Augustin found Vogt inside 50. His quick long-range effort, however, fell short and trickled through for a minor score.

Glenelg had no answer for Pilot, who took a strong contested mark before playing on and slamming home his third goal from the goal line.

Campbell-Kearney then extended South’s lead to 23 points with a quick snap from a handball receive, further deflating the away side.

As the half-time siren sounded, South Adelaide held a four-goal lead, though it could have been more if not for some missed opportunities in front of goal.

Noyce and Boal continued to exert their influence in the midfield to start the third term, driving South forward with clean hands and strong tackles.

Vogt’s courageous mark going back with the flight resulted in the first goal of the quarter, his composed set shot stretching the lead to 31 points.

Quickfire doubles from Burke and Wigzell late in the third term put the result beyond doubt, giving the home side a seven-goal buffer heading into the final stanza.

A highlight of South’s performance was the even contribution across all lines—the defence was resolute, the midfield dominant, and the forward line potent.

Campbell-Kearney’s second goal capped off a fantastic individual display, while Burke’s third all but crushed Glenelg’s hopes of a late surge.

Despite the result being all but settled, Potter continued to showcase his work rate and class, consistently finding teammates in dangerous positions with his precise ball use.

Boal, in a best-on-ground performance that featured several outstanding tackles and clean disposals in traffic, capped off his day with a late goal.

With time winding down, Gregor added his second, becoming the latest multiple goal-kicker for South Adelaide and extending the lead to a match-high 54 points.

South Adelaide’s dominant performance will give them plenty of confidence as they prepare to face Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Saturday, 26 April, at 10:00am.