South Adelaide is 100 per cent after demolishing Sturt by 68 points
SOUTH Adelaide is set to take a settled line-up into a third successive final.
SOUTH Adelaide is set to take a settled line-up into a third successive final.
The Panthers emerged from their 68-point thrashing of Sturt in the first semi-final at Adelaide Oval on Saturday without injury concerns and coach Brad Gotch is expected to rely on the same 21 players against Port Adelaide in the preliminary final on Sunday.
Co-captain Josh Thewlis, who left the elimination final in the final quarter because of cramping, was ''nursed'' through the final quarter but will definitely play in the season's penultimate contest. "We are mindful of where Josh is at with his footy,'' Panthers football manager Neil Sharpe said. "He has played a lot of footy and he covers a lot of ground on the half back flank.''
A key factor in the Panthers resurrection this season has been the ability to field a settled outfit with few injury disruptions. Panthers coach Brad Gotch said having a settled line-up bred confidence in divisions in which the players were operating. "Playing with each other gets that bit of atmosphere and chemistry,'' Gotch said. "Some of the in-close work of the guys under pressure ... we still hit targets and they had that awareness that someone was there to feed to.''
This is as far as the Panthers have travelled in a season since playing in the 1991 preliminary final and Gotch said the team was being driven by swelling confidence and tremendous belief.
He said the players had gained confidence from the elimination final win over Woodville-West Torrens and he praised the even team contribution to end Sturt's season.
"The players believe in themselves,'' Gotch said. "They really believe in what they can achieve and see they are up to something as a group. "They feel confident about the processes and the methodology we are playing in. They also know the job is not done but you have got to enjoy wins like that (against Sturt).
“It builds more success if you enjoy rather than go ‘hey, settle back down’.’’ Port youngster Robert Young is still a chance to face the Panthers at Adelaide Oval despite being taken to hospital on Saturday night to have a dislocated finger repaired.
Young injured the finger in the loss to Norwood in the second semi-final and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital when the Port medical staff was unable to get the finger back into place.
Paul Stewart had back spasms in the first half but had no issue in the second, meaning he should be available this week as Port chase a grand final berth against Norwood.