Adelaide has fallen to South Adelaide by 18 points in the Club’s final SANFL trial at Hickinbotham Oval.
In a low-scoring affair, the Panthers piled on five unanswered goals in a third-quarter surge to set up the 11.10 (76) to 9.4 (58) win.
South Adelaide’s Matt Rose and Nick Liddle were the main architects in South’s third term avalanche, which saw the Panthers turn an 11-point half-time deficit into a 14-point advantage at the final break.
South then proceeded to apply the clamps on the Crows with a disciplined forward press, with final-quarter goals to Matt Rankine and Frazer Dale ensuring the Panthers closed their pre-season campaign in style.
Captain Ian Callinan was outstanding for the visitors with four goals while young Crow draftee Matt Crouch (29 disposals) produced another impressive performance in the midfield. Riley Knight was also one of Adelaide’s best with his sublime foot skills a feature.
Rory Laird was important for the Crows with 23 possessions and nine marks in an encouraging display in defence, while towering ruckman Jack Osborn provided Adelaide with a strong presence inside 50m, finishing with two goals and six marks.
Cameron Ellis-Yolmen showed he has become a more complete player over summer, recording a game-high 10 clearances along with 22 disposals in an eye-catching performance. Stoppage specialist Jarryd Lyons was also important for Adelaide in close, with five clearances and 19 possessions next to his name.
Josh Jenkins (15 disposals, five marks) was sent down back in the second half and adapted well to the role, while Kyle Hartigan (17 disposals, nine marks) kept ex-Collingwood VFL forward Brett Eddy goalless.
The match was scrappy early, despite near-perfect conditions at Noarlunga, as both sides struggled to break the shackles and create space.
Panthers recruit Adam Gulden broke the deadlock with the first goal for South Adelaide with another to Keegan Brooksby giving the home side an early buffer.
Adelaide soon settled to wrestle momentum back late in the quarter. Josh Jenkins sparked the Crows into action with an athletic two-bounce dash on the outer wing to set up Ian Callinan for the visitors’ first major midway through the term.
Jenkins also had a hand in creating a goal for youngster Riley Knight moments later, which saw the Crows draw level at quarter time.
The second quarter saw both sides trade goals for much of the term. Ian Callinan showed his class with two goals for the quarter, including a brilliant long-range left-foot bomb, as the Crows snatched an 11-point lead and looked like running away with the match.
But Adelaide could only manage three more goals as South went on a charge in a blistering third-quarter spell, maintaining the advantage until the final siren.
Adelaide State League coach Heath Younie said there were many positive signs for the Club on the eve of the SANFL season.
“It’s just great for our young players to get that competitive experience against a quality side, especially in such a hard-fought match as what we saw tonight,” Younie said.
Younie feels his young State League Crows proved they are ready for Round One, when Adelaide will line up against North Adelaide at Prospect on April 6.
“These trials have been a great preparation for us for Round One,” Younie said.
“I think our young development players have really shown some hunger and a few of them stood up tonight.
“But I was really impressed with the way guys like Riley Knight and Charlie Cameron have performed over the past few weeks.
“It’s very exciting for the whole footy club, and we all can’t wait to get on with Round One.”
ADELAIDE 2.2 6.3 7.4 9.4 (58)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 2.2 4.4 9.6 11.10 (76)
GOALS
Adelaide: Callinan 4, Osborn 2, Lyons 2, Knight
South Adelaide: Brooksby 2, Rankine 2, Gulden 2, Macleod, Cross, McKay, Snook, Dale
BEST
Adelaide: Callinan, M. Crouch, Knight, Ellis-Yolmen, L. Thompson, M. Thompson
South Adelaide: Liddle, Rose, Gulden, Brooksby, Gotch
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
South Adelaide: Nil
