Eagles make a statement with strong win over Panthers

WOODVILLE-West Torrens further validated its premiership bid credentials with a comprehensive 32-point victory over South Adelaide in Woodville on Saturday.

Woodville-West Torrens’ Scott Lewis gets his handball away, ahead of a strong tackle by South Adelaide’s Nic Schwarz. Picture: Calum Robertson

WOODVILLE-West Torrens further validated its premiership bid credentials with a comprehensive 32-point victory over South Adelaide in Woodville on Saturday.

The Eagles claimed their seventh successive win and climbed above the Panthers into second spot on the ladder, just a game behind Sturt.

This was a victory built on dominance at the stoppages and terrific defensive pressure, and the Eagles shrugged aside a lack-lustre second term to make another significant statement on the competition.

“You have got to win all different ways in a season of football, it does not happen all your own way,’’ Eagles coach Michael Godden said.

“We’ve had some games which have been pretty much our way for the second half.

“So it was a really good challenge and a question was being asked for the first time in a long time whether we could stand up. We answered it, which is fantastic.’’

Eagles rucking duo Marc Borholm and Jarrad Redden made their presence felt and star midfielder Jared Petrenko was among those feasting on an abundance of opportunities to constantly control the clearances.

The Eagles had seven visits inside their 50 before the Panthers finally got the ball inside their attacking zone 12 minutes into the contest.

The inside 50 count was 16-4 in favour of the home side for first term, ample evidence of its territorial domination.

However, the Panthers’ defence stood up well and with more ball in the second quarter, the visitors grabbed the momentum to worry the Eagles.

The Panthers’ charge was short-lived though, with the Eagles regaining the ascendancy in the third term to bag six goals and restrict the visitors to one behind.

It was one-way traffic at the stoppages and the Eagles bombarded their attack to put the Panthers on the back foot and struggling for a response.

The Eagles created plenty of turnover ball with their willingness to honour the defensive aspects of the game ... and they punished the Panthers.

“In the third quarter they pantsed us in the centre clearances,’’ Panthers coach Bradley Gotch lamented. “I was happy with the first half but a little shocked what happened in the third quarter, it was a little easy (for the Eagles).

“When you are 26 points down at three quarter time it is a big ask.’’

SCOREBOARD

EAGLES 2.3 2.6 8.7 10.13 (73)

SOUTH ADELAIDE 0.2 4.4 4.5 6.5 (41)

BEST - Eagles: Petrenko, Thompson, Goldsworthy, O’Brien, von Bertouch, Poole, Hall. South: Rose, Brown, Crabb, Seccull, Fields, Durdin.

GOALS - Eagles: Wundke, McGregor 2, O’Brien, Borholm, Gaffney, Whittlesea, Haylock, Poole. South: Seccull, Rose, Cross, Rankine, McMahon, Veide.

UMPIRES - Medlin, Haussen, Lewis.

CROWD - 1778 at Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval, Woodville.