Australian Football

Match Report

First up in this week's wrap, we start with the Elimination Final. No second chances... no next week... just next year. This is the situation that beckoned the Tigers and the Panthers. Finals football has been a time of pain and suffering for Tigers fans for a long time, so many chances squandered over the 90 years of involvement in the league that has seen them take only four premierships. This decade has seen them contest finals four times but all those opportunities went begging, with a grand final appearance in 2008 and a straight sets exit in 2009 after finishing minor premiers. On the other hand, South Adelaide have had a longer premiership drought than the Tigers. The 1964 premiership was the last time the Panthers took out the title, their last opportunity in 1979 fell flat and finals football appearances have been few and far between after the 1980's. The 2006 season was their last tilt at finals. Glenelg have had a rather tumultuous season with up-and-down performances as well as sacking Mark Mickan during the second half of the season, while South have steadily climbed the ladder after finishing last in 2010.

The game started off with a Glenelg goal within 30 seconds of the start, an ill-timed bump on Ben Kane by Bradley Crabb allowing the Tigers to grab the first score. South finally answered with their own major in the fifth minute, after scoring a behind only a minute before-hand the Panthers worked the ball back to Michael Wundke. That goal would soon be followed by a second goal to Andrew Ainger. The Panthers were all over the Tigers in the first term, the scoreboard reading 5.4 to 2.4 at quarter-time. South would lose Josh Thewlis here, a shoulder injury bringing his season to an end. Although a piece of poor judgement on Trevor Cranston's part indirectly led to a South goal early in the second term, the Tigers would reel the Panthers' lead back to within striking distance. Alex Grima started the Bays' off with his goal at the eight minute mark, Kane Tenace added his own at the 11th minute. A Ben Kennedy bouncer at 13 minutes would put added pressure on the Panthers, but the blue and whites would still be ahead at the half-time break after a total of 3.3 to Glenelg's 4.2 saw Souths hold a 13-point lead.

When play resumed, the Panthers would get the ball rolling with a goal to Ainger in the first minute of the third term, but some inaccuracy started to creep into the South camp with some crucial misses keeping the door open for the Tigers. But they could only beat on the door as South's opportunities on goal were more plentiful. At three quarter-time, the Panthers would extend their advantage to four goals after kicking 3.6 to Glenelg's 2.1. The Panthers' were just hungrier than the Bays in the end, despite South continued inaccuracy on goal they would kick away to victory with a 3.4 to 2.3 final quarter. South Adelaide won by 31 points, but some undisciplined play by Mitch Sandery saw him put on report.

Nick Liddle was voted best afield for the Panthers, while the Tigers named Paul Adlington as their best on ground. The Panthers will contest the 1st Semi-Final next Sunday.