South v Port Elim Final review

[Macca19]

South have come from 38 points behind during the 2nd quarter, to run out victors by 16 points in the clubs first finals victory since 1990.

In a dominant 2nd half, South came from over 6 goals down halfway through the 2nd quarter to win the match. They were too strong, too fast and too accountable in the 2nd half compared to the fumbly, stagnant Magpies.

The Magpies led by just 7 points at 1/4 time kicking with a 3 goal breeze. Alwyn Davey opened the scoring whilst Craig Parry was reported behind the play for what appeared to be striking. The Magpies kicked three of the last four goals of the quarter to lead by the 7 points, with Clive Waterhosue kicking two opening quarter goals and Kyle Jenner busy across half forward.

Against the breeze in the 2nd quarter it was all the Magpies, with Port kicking 6 straight goals early in the quarter to break out to what appeared to be a comfortable 6 goal lead. Led by the truly freakish Jeremy Clayton who kicked two goals for the quarter - including one of the best goals seen in years after a stunning 2nd and 3rd effort saw him win the ball and snap whilst being tackled from a very tight angle - and Cameron Ilett playing a kick behind the play, the Magpies looked confident and seemd to be intimidating their South opponents.

The turning point seemed to be when Jeremy Clayton went off just before half time with a sore leg. South kicked three of the last four goals of the quarter to trail by 24 points at the main break.

It gave them the confidence to overcome the Magpies, and in the third quarter came the resurgence of their trademark choke and run gameplan. Suddenly the roles were reversed and South were the more confident, had free running players all over the park and succesfully shut down Ports forward line.

With Clive succesfully shut down by Alipate Carlile and Shane Morrison in terrible form, the football regularly came running out of Souths backline thanks to Carlile, Josh Thewlis and Ben Neagle. They kicked 6 goals to 3 for the quarter and trailed by just 4 points at the final change.

With the Magpies making many costly turnovers, South overran the Magpies in the last quarter to win by 16 points. It was a great performance for the Panthers who won their first final since the introduction of AFL football in South Australia. They succesfully got players around the drop of the ball in defence and ran it out with pace and class. No Port Adelaide player was able to catch Stephen Kenna or Alwyn Davey at any stage in what were best on ground performances. He Both players ran the lines at will and were the cause of at least 10 turnovers which cost the Magpies dearly. Josh Thewlis was a rock in defence whilst Ben Neagle, and David Clarke had plenty of the football. Rhys Archard was another that had a great influence on the result.

For the Magpies it was the turnovers and inability to find any pace that cost them. Too many times South Adelaide cut off handballs which turned into goals and too many Port players were run down with no awareness of what was around them. Jeremy Clayton was magical but couldnt do it all, Tim Looby was fantastic in defence, as was Corey Ahchee and John Baird, whilst Ivan Maric was solid around the ground.

The Panthers have come to play this September. For too long they have been the laughing stock of the league and it now seems to be retribution time for the club. They have the squad and the gameplan to be succesful in finals and with Cupido back in the side next week, they will be gunning for a Prelim Final showdown.

As for the Magpies, they were poorly coached and seem to lack depth in a number of areas. The forward line is one dimensional and relies too much on Waterhouse, whilst the midfield lacks true pace. If they are to make the finals again next year they will be desperate for at least two more key forwards and some genuine pace on the wings.

South 3.3 / 7.6 / 13.9 / 18.12 120
Port 4.4 / 11.6 / 14.7 / 16.8 104

BEST:
SA - Davey, Carlile, Thewlis, Kenna, Archard, Ellis
PA - J Clayton, Looby, De Pasquale, Maric, M Clayton, Jenner

GOALS:
SA - Ellis 4; Warren 3; Archard, Iljceson, Handby 2; Bennett, Carlile, Sinkunas, Parry, Davey
PA - J Clayton 4; Waterhosue 3; Poulton, Wait, Jenner 2; M Clayton, King, Maric

[Mr66]

Once again,great work Macca.
Any chance of a review of the Qualifying or was that too dull to write about?

[blueandwhite]

excelllent summary-almost as good as the result

[Macca19]

Once again,great work Macca.
Any chance of a review of the Qualifying or was that too dull to write about?

Didnt get to see the whole game. Only saw the first quarter and then the last quarter.

[Scoop]

Good work Macca19, appreciate your effort to write the match review up.

Well done.

[the tractor]

Young Davey would have to be picked up (AFL). From what I saw a few weeks ago against Westies. He absolutely killed us.

[the tractor]

Young Davey would have to be picked up (AFL). From what I saw a few weeks ago against Westies. He absolutely killed us.
Must have been a bit of the same with this match too.

[mighty_tiger_79]

DAVEY - ive never seen a young player chase as hard all day long to put that added pressure on opponents. quite often he would give a player a 20m head start and chase down hard and was still doing it in the last quarter when the heat factor would have had an impact.

that was a FANTASTIC EFFORT

[Booney]

Nice review Macca,but Carlisle second best? Not sure about that.Waterhouse kicked two early on him,he then went to Wait who kicked one on him,he then ran off Waterhouse at the end,who,at this stage had become completely self indulgent and selfish,allowing Carlisle to do as he pleased.

[Booney]

Damien Cupiedough will be back,this should help the Panthers.

[mighty_tiger_79]

CUPIDO would have needed a stretcher half way through the 1st 1/4 suffering from heat stress

[Punk Rooster]

Nice review Macca,but Carlisle second best? Not sure about that.Waterhouse kicked two early on him,he then went to Wait who kicked one on him,he then ran off Waterhouse at the end,who,at this stage had become completely self indulgent and selfish,allowing Carlisle to do as he pleased.

Clive did this? Nah......