In a game in which defence was clearly the winner, Southern battled out a 55-48 victory over South in tonight's pre-season derby at Marion. 

The game featured new lineups for both teams. The Panther fans had their first look at import Ken Carter, and also reacquainted themselves with Steve Pilkington, who has recently returned from the UK. Southern suited Ryan Franceschinis, who has transferred from the Rockets, and former 36er Brad Gerlach, whose 2006 Central ABL campaign was limited to 8 games due to injury.

The 10 minute quarters and Marion's unforgiving rings meant that this was never going to be a high scoring game, but both teams set a high standard defensively from the outset. Gerlach was active, getting 2 deflections and a steal in the first four minutes, and after feeding Lalic for a basket, he helped himself to a 3 pointer. For South, point guard Carter demonstrated that he could be dangerous inside and out, scoring both a three pointer, then posting up a shorter defender for a 3 point play. Gerlach finished the quarter with two steals and an assist to Ben Hodges for a 3 point play, and Southern went into the first break down 16-14.

Neither team managed to break away in the second quarter, with the lead not extending beyond a margin of two. Damian Scanlan was welcomed back to Adelaide by being knocked to the ground while setting a screen, and Pilkington and Dan Lalic took it in turns to muscle each other to the basket, Pilkington with a strong power layup and Lalic with a running hook. Matt Clarke ended the quarter with a strong drive off a long closeout and at half time, the score was fittingly tied, 26 a piece.

The third quarter mirrored the first two. Lucas Smith hit a 20 foot jumper early, but Joel Goodenough countered with two of many assists for the game- one a half court pass on transition to Ben Hodges for a layup, and another to Dan Lalic off penetration. In the context of the game, Southern's 39-35 lead at 3/4 time seemed like a chasm.

Doug Hudson scored a layup from a give-and-go to start the fourth, but the next four minutes belonged to Ryan Franceshinis, whose 10 points for the term included a post move spinning to his left, a shot off the glass from 15', a 3 pointer and 3 point play. When the lead ballooned to 8, Southern threw three costly turnovers trying to feed the post, and a 3 pointer from Matt Davies and a post seal from Lucas Smith kept the Panthers in the game. Southern steadied in the last 2 minutes, and after scoring a layup from a baseline play, Gerlach forced a turnover from a deflection on the inbounds pass, sealing the win for the Tigers.

The final scoreline of 55-46 was a good indication of the defensive intensity of the game. With neither team competing in the Blitz, and both near full strength, the game was physical, and both teams were better off for the hit-out.

For the Tigers, Dan Lalic led all scorers with 18, and Ben Hodges had 16. For the Panthers, Ken Carter had 13 and Lucas Smith had 12.