Australian Football

Match Report

The final match for the round takes us down south to the Hickinbotham Oval at Noarlunga as the lights went on for some Saturday Night Football between the Panthers and the Redlegs. Many would probably take this one as one of the mis-matches of the season, with the Redlegs sitting second as compared to South's ninth. But the Panthers have managed to bring some red faces at the 'Legs club, the two victories they have had from the last 11 games were at The Parade. But on away soil, the Redlegs haven't missed a step from six of those games and they took out their last stoush at Coopers Stadium with a 39 point win in Round 20 last year.

Both teams had a flawless first term in front of goal, not a single behind scored at the Redlegs kicked four goals to South's three to lead by six points at quarter-time. The streak was broken of course as the inevitable score blemishes started to appear, but the Panthers wouldn't find the big sticks in the second term as they took two behinds while the 'Legs kicked 2.3 to take a 19-point lead at the long break. The Panthers showed some much needed fight when play resumed in the third quarter, taking the fight right up to the Redlegs as they closed to within two accurate scores by the final change with their 6.2 to Norwood's 4.3. At three quarter-time, the visitors held an eight-point lead. But their third term fightback was all for nought in the end as the Redlegs re-asserted control of the game, kicking 4.1 while keeping the Panthers to 1.2. Norwood would leave the south with a 25-point victory, they now have to back up on Tuesday in the Foxtel Cup.

The Redlegs named Ben Warren as their best afield, while the Panthers named John McDonald as their standout.