Panthers vEagles 15 August Flinders University Stadium

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens reclaimed top spot on the ladder with its extreme efficiency propelling it to a 21-point win against South Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium.

The Statewide Super League’s pacesetters refused to panic despite having 22 fewer disposals, 32 fewer marks and a staggering 13 fewer inside 50 entries than the wasteful Panthers.

Scoreboard pressure proved too much for the hosts to overcome as the Eagles slammed on 5.2 in the second term to construct victory as South managed an inaccurate 1.6.

With just 2.10 to their name after the opening half, the Panthers quickly scored as many goals in two minutes as they did in two quarters to open the third term.

Key South forward Sam Overall – responsible for the second half brace – had suddenly sprung to life and when his fellow forward Tom Whittlesea snared a contender for Digital Pass Mark of the Week with a one-hander, the margin was set to be as little as three points.

But former Eagle Whittlesea missed a relatively simple snap set shot from 15m, leaving the visitors to make South pay by taking the ball swiftly to the other end where Nick Hayes got on the end of a Jake Von Bertouch pass to extend their advantage to 15 points.

Overall impacted the game again on the verge of the three-quarter time siren, nailing a 50m set shot to have his side within seven points with a quarter to play.

Little did the blue-and-white faithful realise, this would be their team’s last goal for the game as South managed just two behinds in the final stanza.

The crafty James Rowe once again found space inside 50m to mark a clever centering pass from Geelong VFL recruit James Tsitas, who was the Eagles’ leading disposal winner with 25 to go with his eight tackles and nine clearances.

Rowe calmly extended the advantage to 12 points nearly eight minutes into the final half-an-hour and while the Eagles continued to leave the door slightly ajar with behinds to Jordan Foote and Tristan Carcuro, they were in control of general play.

Foote soon made up for his pair of blemishes to feed Von Bertouch, who booted the sealer with his second major in the 24th minute.

The Eagles’ seventh win of the season was the ideal way to celebrate the 200th League game of premiership star Matt Goldsworthy, who hit the scoreboard with a classy checkside finish in the second quarter.

Eagles forward Nick Hayes celebrates a goal. Picture – Cory Sutton
The evenness of the Eagles’ performance will again be satisfying to coach Jade Sheedy, who had Tsitas, Foote, Joseph Sinor, Chis Hall and James Rowe all eclipse the 20-disposal barrier.

Victory was also secured without significant influences from the Hayes brothers, Jack and Nick, while Von Bertouch continued his consistent season by also producing two goal assists.

Tough-tackling Jack Firns will be feted at the Eagles’ presentations tonight after performing a difference-making negating role on South star defender Joseph Haines.

Firns was able to ensure Haines didn’t register his first kick until the second minute of the second term and just three kicks up until the final change.

South co-captain Joel Cross had an equal team-high 24 disposals along with ruck recruit Paul Hunter, who displayed that he will be a massive boost for the Panthers while also collecting nine marks and nine clearances to go with 22 hit outs and eight inside 50s.

Nic Schwarz and Tyson Brown did a lot of hard, bullocking work in close while Reece Milsom and Hayden Sampson continue to look at home amongst League company.

The unearthing of another local AAMI Rookie will be another major positive for the Panthers, with Brighton Bombers defender Danny Juckers looking very polished in tallying 18 disposals and seven marks on debut.

Round 8 injury list


Ethan Haylock
Groin
Season
Tom Gray
Ankle
Indefinite
Jamie Coff
Knee
Indefinite
Harrison Morgan
Ankle
Test
Jarrad Redden
Abdominal
Test
Angus Poole
Ribs
Test