South Adelaide conquer West Adelaide in SANFL battle at Noarlunga Oval

South Adelaide again failed to produce a four-quarter effort, but their impressive final-term effort secured them victory over West Adelaide.

South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright is encouraged by his side’s 32-point victory over West Adelaide given the Panthers again failed to put together a four-quarter effort at Noarlunga Oval on Saturday.

Bloods coach Gavin Colville is extremely frustrated his side again was punished for an inability to put together a four-quarter effort.

The Panthers bagged six goals in the final term after scores were locked together at three-quarter time and Wright praised the effort of his players after losing Emmanuel Irra (hamstring) in the opening minutes and Ben Haren (ankle) in the second quarter.

Colville lamented his side’s inefficiency and poor skills in the final quarter and questioned whether it was fitness or a mindset.

“They were superior in the first half, their pressure, workrate and stoppage work was much better than us,” Wright said. “When we put it together for we are a dangerous team, we just can’t put it together for four quarters.

Lee Hoey of South Adelaide battles Kenneth Karpany of West Adelaide. Picture: Courtesy of Nick Hook Photography

“We have got good hunger and fight and we stay in the game long enough to give us an opportunity.”

Six minutes into the contest the possession count was 33-6 in favour of the Bloods and they had been inside their attacking 50 four times for three goals in a stunning start.

Led by Will Snelling, the Bloods controlled much of the first half, winning the inside ball to spark plenty of attacking raids.

But Joel Cross and Abe Davis were among the Panthers who got busy after half-time to pose plenty of questions to the Bloods.

And there were few answers from the visitors, especially in the final term, when they became fumbly and less effective at the contest.

Asked if it was harsh to describe the Bloods as a three-quarters team, Colville responded: “Not at all.

“I’d expect everyone to be saying that. That is the reality of what we are seeing.

“We can look at it as a group, but individuals need to take ownership of their performance. The group does not turn the ball over, that is an individual.”

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH ADELAIDE 2.2 5.4 9.7 15.11 (101)

WEST ADELAIDE 4.0 7.3 9.7 10.9 (69)

BEST — South: Knoll, Davis, Cross, Heaslip, Karpany, Haines. West: Snelling, Beech, Stevens, Noble, Willsmore, Wasley-Black.

GOALS — South: Davis 4, Overall, Karpany 2, Rose, Cross, Heaslip, Emery, Fitt, Whittlesea, Cailotto. West: Beech 4, Karpany, Snelling, Noble, Haysman, Keough, B. Turner.

INJURIES — South: Haren (ankle), Irra (hamstring). West: Schmidt (knee).

UMPIRES — Harris, Schramm, Morgan.

CROWD — 1528 at Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga.