Australian Football

Match Report

Friday Night Mayhem started up round eight, as we went over the Hilton Bridges to Richmond where the lights of City Mazda Stadium shone brightly for the contest between the Bloods and the Panthers. The Bloods were easy pickings for the Panthers in Season 2014, winning both matches of the year. The opening round for that season saw West go down by 49 points at Noarlunga, then again later in the year at Richmond by 23 points in Round 17. The Bloods came into this match after the state break with a massive 112-point win against the Tigers last round, while the Panthers weren't able to keep step with the Redlegs and went down by 17 points.

This match was going to be one scrappy affair, a dour first quarter ensued where both sides struggled to find scoreboard impact with two behinds each, a single goal to South making the difference at the first change. The Bloods got onto the goals column in the second term, but three missed opportunities and the Panthers' two goals saw the visitors ahead at the long break by nine points. The Bloods' luck didn't seem as though it was going to improve when play resumed, but the Panthers inaccuracy would keep them in the game as the gap was extended to 23 points by three quarter-time after the visitors kicked 3.5 to 1.3. Unfortunately for South, a final term charge by Westies would see their night end in heartbreak, only made worse when a set shot after the siren went wide.

The Bloods kicked 5.3 to 1.3 to nick a win by one point. Daniel Caire was named best for Westies, while the Panthers voted for captain Brad Crabb as their best.