Eagles gain redemption with victory over Panthers in SANFL

WOODVILLE-West Torrens used a dominant third quarter to conquer South Adelaide by 14 points at Noarlunga Oval.

South Adelaide v Eagles have eyes only for the ball at Noarlunga Oval. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

WOODVILLE-West Torrens responded to a poor performance against Norwood to conquer South Adelaide by 14 points at Noarlunga Oval on Saturday..

The Eagles rode home on the back of a dominant third quarter when they kicked six of their nine goals.

They also took advantage of a depleted Panthers bench after the home side lost gun defender Matthew Rose and key forward Tom Whittlesea in the first half because of shoulder injuries.

Eagles coach Michael Godden said it was hard to describe his emotions, just saying he was very happy to get the premiership points after losing their Noarlunga contest by 82 points in round 16 last year.

“We still did not play the way we want to play,” he said. “The third quarter was a good sign of resilience and we just stuck to our guns.

“South was up and about early and the boys hung in there.”

When the Panthers reflect on the contest they will rue wasted opportunities in the first half. They scored 2.5 in the first quarter, then failed to capitalise on territory domination in the second.

The Panthers defensive pressure created issues for the visitors, who were clumsy and indecisive.

When Liam Fitt nailed a goal from the boundary after the quarter-time siren, the Panthers were seemingly in control despite being only 14 points up.

.@TheTiserSport @sanfl @EAGLES_WWTFC star Jared Petrenko facing stint on sidelines after damaging knee in reserves at Noarlunga. pic.twitter.com/MYXL47s0p9

— Warren Partland (@warren_partland) May 26, 2018

Then the Eagles turned the game on its head, upping the ante in the third quarter with more venom in their attack on the contest and a lift in ball use.

After adding just one behind for the second term, the Eagles bagged six goals and kept the home side to a behind, and that came late after the Eagles had burst to a 25-point lead.

Paul Stewart marshalled the Eagles defence with terrific support from Matthew Goldsworthy, Patrick Giuffreda and Jake von Bertouch. Although they were aided by the lack of a potent attacking weapon for the Panthers.

“Wasted opportunities in the first half when we had the momentum and losing two rotations for the second half hurt,” Panthers coach Jarrad Wright said.

“I’m happy with the fight from the boys, to go down by only 14 with one on the bench.”

EAGLES 2.3 2.4 8.7 9.10 (64)

SOUTH ADELAIDE 2.5 4.6 4.7 7.8 (50)

BEST - Eagles: Stewart, Goldsworthy, Giuffreda, Sharrad, von Bertouch, Lee. South: Liddle, Haines, Brooksby, Davis, Fields.

GOALS - Eagles: J. Hayes, Sharrad 2, Borholm, Hall, N. Hayes, Haylock, Poole. South: Biemans, Cross, Fitt 2, Rankine.

INJURIES - South: Whittlesea (shoulder).

UMPIRES - Galletly, Sobieraj, Sboro.

CROWD - 1311 at Hickinbotham Oval, Noarlunga.