North Adelaide’s second-quarter blitz sets up SANFL win over off-target South Adelaide

NORTH Adelaide’s six-game losing streak is over after a producing huge 44-point upset over an inaccurate South Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

North Adelaide’s Cameron Craig breaks away under pressure from South Adelaide's Jordan Taylor. Picture: Tom Huntley

NORTH Adelaide’s six-game losing streak is over after a producing huge 44-point upset over an inaccurate South Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

Six unanswered goals to the home side in the second term — three of those to Lewis Hender — helped the Roosters triumph 16.6 (102) to 7.16 (58).

The win may have derailed the Panthers’ finals aspirations, as they now sit seventh with a 5-5 record.

Roosters coach Josh Carr was pleased his side could bounce back after its shock loss to cellar-dweller West Adelaide last week.

“It was a really good team performance,” Carr said.

“After quarter time, I thought the physical presence from everyone when the ball went inside our forward line was pleasing.”

Despite a sluggish first term, which left the home side 16-points behind, North applied manic pressure and used the ball with more precision inside attacking 50 in the second quarter to set up the result.

Max Thring, who gathered 28 disposals, took six marks and laid seven tackles, and Tom Schwarz (28 possessions, 2 marks, eight tackles) were prolific for the home side.

Lewis Hender was a standout up-forward and led the second-quarter fight back, booting a game-high five majors.

The Panthers’ Matthew Rankine runs down the wing against North Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley

Matt Rose (28 touches, eight marks, three tackles) and Joel Cross (28 disposals, two marks and four tackles) were the major ball-winners for the Panthers, while Matthew Raitt (two goals) impressed early.

But their efforts were in vain as their side crumbled to a fifth successive loss.

South coach Garry Hocking was left to rue his side’s inaccuracy in front of the big sticks.

“It’s disappointing we can’t play four quarters,” Hocking said.

“The first quarter was good, but we kicked 3.5, so the conversion there, that hurts.”

North was flat in the first quarter, while South flew out of the blocks, but failed to make use of its opportunities and get reward for effort.

The Panthers placed no real scoreboard pressure on the Roosters and, despite recording five more inside 50s than the home side in the first term, they only managed a 16-point quarter-time advantage.

North was hungrier and tougher in the second term and switched the momentum to take a 19-point lead at the main break.

The Panthers won the centre bounce and booted the first major of the third term to give them some slim hope.

But the Roosters withstood the challenge and controlled the much of the remainder of the match.

SCOREBOARD

NORTH ADELAIDE 1.1 7.2 12.4 16.6 (102)

SOUTH ADELAIDE 3.4 3.8 5.9 7.16 (58)

BEST — North: Hender, M Thring, Schwarz, Smith, Ryskyk South: Rose, Cross, Taylor, Haines

GOALS — North: Hender 5, Smith 4, Ryswyk, Quinn, McDonough 2, Ramsey,

South: Raitt, Haren 2, Bass, Haines, Gotch

Umpires: Giles Lewis, Rowan Hundertmark, Jamie Broadbent

Crowd: 1486 at Prospect Oval