Under-18 Match Report First Semi Final: South vs Eagles

Under-18 Match Report

South Adelaide vs Woodville-West Torrens
First Semi Final - Thebarton Oval - 03/10/20

Goals: Draper 4, Flett 3, Magor, Roberts 2, Brown, Hamilton, Nye
Best: Roberts, Draper, Copley, Verrall, Clifton, Brown

* Final Result under investigation by SANFL

South Adelaide Under-18s hard-fought Semi Final had a crazy finish at Thebarton Oval on Saturday.

Saturday's Semi Final, ended under controversy with it alleged that the Eagles had nineteen players on the field at one stage during the match. 

Besides on-field numbers, there was not much separating the two sides in terms of statistics as the Panthers collected ten more inside 50s despite having four less clearances.

Max Clifton was impressive for the Panthers as he gathered a game-high 26 touches while Zac Dumesny finished with 20 disposals and six rebound 50s.

It was a tight contest, which was expected as the two sides had met in the previous two Grand Finals and this was on full-display as the two sides traded blows during the opening term.

The Eagles threatened to take the game away early from the Panthers and would have if it were not for Arlo Draper and Matthew Roberts, who combined for five of the Panthers' seven goals during the opening half.

With the scores at halftime reading 7.4 (46) to 8.2 (50) in favour of the Eagles the Panthers struck back early, kicking three goals within just eight minutes to take the lead.

However, the Eagles stormed home late, booting three unanswered goals to end the third term, and hand the Panthers a 10.6 (66) to 12.5 (77) deficit at the final change.

A chance for a final-term comeback was made possible thanks to Jack Flett who stood up with two goals during the first ten minutes to cut the deficit to just five points.

But the Panthers had to battle against the Eagle's strong pressure, as the reigning Premiers were winning both the tackle and contested mark counts.

Following Flett's feat, it was Jaiden Magor's turn as he also booted two goals however, the last of which crossed the line with just twenty seconds left to play.

The siren sounded to end the game.

The final result is under investigation by the SANFL.