SOUTH Adelaide has pulled off a sensational come-from-behind win over North Adelaide, beating the Roosters by a single point in their Round 18 clash at Magain Stadium on Saturday. The Panthers trailed all day, and by as many as 30 points in the third quarter, but rallied to natch an unlikely victory.

After South hit the front 12 minutes into term four, the scores were locked back up until Harrison Davey‘s set shot registered the winning point with 40 seconds left to play. Despite the result, South still fell half a game short of finals, ironically beaten to fourth place by the Roosters.

We took note of the top prospects from either side.

SOUTH ADELAIDE 2.0 | 2.3 | 6.4 | 9.9 (63)
NORTH ADELAIDE 2.4 | 6.7 | 7.11 | 8.14 (62)

GOALS:
South Adelaide: B. Dittmar 3, H. Boal, H. Davey, F. Harding, C. Hyland, C. Knowles, R. Read
North Adelaide: A. Zerella 2, B. Amos, K. Collins, M. Gunston, E. Herbert, B. Herrick-Woods, H. Smith

BEST:
South Adelaide: H. Boal, J. Potter, B. Dittmar, R. Read, C. Hyland
North Adelaide: R. Gallace, M. Webb, A. Zerella, E. Herbert, B. Amos

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#4 Kody Shortridge
Forward/Wing | 180cm | 11/04/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 9 marks, 5 inside 50s

With North Adelaide owning all the early territory, Shortridge took some time to find his way into the game. A shift up to the wing helped momentarily, but the crafty small was a terrific connection piece in his most natural home up forward. Shortridge punched above his weight with strong overhead marking, aided by a springy leap, and consistently looked to take the game on with his speed. He used the ball creatively, albeit inviting pressure at times, and was one of the more efficient players afield on a scrappy day. While he didn’t end up with a goal, he helped set up several others.

#13 Hudson Boal
Midfielder | 177cm | 16/10/2009

Stats: 28 disposals, 11 tackles, 10 clearances, 1 goal

South Adelaide ended up on top in the clearance stakes and Boal was central to that. While relatively small and slight, the bottom-ager showcased wonderfully clean fundamentals to handle the ball and distribute it effectively. He kept his arms free and showed great poise under pressure, also using his sharp lateral movement to become more active in exiting stoppages. Boal can continue to develop his hurt factor by foot but snapped a classy goal in the third term. His second half lift went a long way to the Panthers snatching victory.

#18 Jayce Potter
Midfielder | 178cm | 04/05/2009

Stats: 32 disposals, 7 marks, 8 tackles, 5 clearances

Another strong accumulator in the Panthers’ engine room, Potter started strongly with 12 disposals in the opening term. He spread well from the contest, particularly into the back half where he racked up seven rebound 50s and provided an outlet option. Potter was a capable ball user by foot, although had his effectiveness tested under pressure, and looked to chain together some combination play by hand. He covered the ground well while also impacting on the inside.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#1 Ethan Herbert
Ruck/Key Forward | 199cm | 01/11/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 30 hitouts, 7 clearances, 1 goal

It was a typically imperious performance from Herbert, who has long dominated the Under 18 level. Boasting a considerable size advantage in the ruck, he broke even in a jumping sense but dominated with his follow-up work. Herbert generated forward momentum out of stoppage; landing after winning the hits and applying himself like a fourth midfielder as North moved the ball in waves. His mobility, poise and touch are outstanding for his size, and although he reeled in a crucial contested mark late in the piece, that kind of presence around the ground was slightly lacking. Still, he applied himself with pressure acts and by remaining engaged in general play.

#10 Memphis Webb
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 04/06/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 7 clearances

Webb was his usual self, acting as North Adelaide’s main inside extractor. The strongly-built midfielder absorbed pressure at stoppage and applied his own with lock-up tackles, preventing easy opposition exits. Webb’s main instinct tended to be handball-first, and perhaps he could have hurt the opposition by using his kick more often. The state representative found more outside ball as the game wore on and had stints up forward, but looked most at home at the contest.

#15 Blake Amos
Midfielder | 173cm | 11/05/2009

Stats: 28 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal

Another of the prominent bottom-agers afield, Amos had little trouble finding the footy both inside and outside. He straight-lined the ball at stoppage and often looked to drive his legs upon taking possession, eventually wheeling around into space. He went by foot 21 times and racked up plenty of uncontested marks around the ground, helping North Adelaide control possession and pick a way forward. His work rate was central to that.

#24 Harry Tamblyn
Defender/Midfielder | 178cm | 17/12/2009

Stats: 32 disposals, 10 marks, 6 tackles, 9 rebound 50s

Accustomed to putting up stat-stuffing performances, Tamblyn helped himself to an equal game-high 32 disposals. He spent plenty of time in midfield while also setting up the play out of defence, utilising his raking left foot to gain metres. The bottom-ager also showcased great competitiveness throughout the day, laying hard tackles and throwing himself into marking contests. Everything he did was at a high intensity, even if it meant he fell into the trap of blazing away at times.

AAMI TALENT LEAGUE LADDER

After home-and-away rounds

1. Central District – 12-6, 53.1%
2. Glenelg – 11-7, 52.8%
3. Eagles – 11-7, 51.0%
4. North Adelaide – 9-8-1, 50.0%
—
5. South Adelaide – 9-9, 49.0%
6. Norwood – 7-10-1, 49.5%
7. Sturt – 7-11, 49.1%
8. West Adelaide – 5-13, 45.3%