An injury-hit Swansea Magpies Aussie Rules team lost 139-48 at home to Cardiff Panthers to deliver a jolt to their hopes of reaching the Grand Final.
The injury problems mean the second-placed Magpies were always up against it as they entered the match with three players making their debuts.
Swansea started the game strongly and for large parts of the first quarter they had the reigning champions on the back foot.
However, inexperience in the backline gifted the opposition a number of easy chances to leave them off the hook and give them a slender lead.
In the second quarter, the Panthers flooded through the midfield and repeatedly left the home defence outnumbered.
Even though the new players were beginning to grow into the game, the pressure was too great and the visitors took control.
Injuries to James Moon and forward Donal Galvin only served to compound the home team's issues.
In the second half the Magpies kept their composure, with some impressive marks and a strong kicking game bringing the home team into promising positions.
But the end product was missing. With the Panthers continuing to push forward and outnumber the Magpies defence, their lead continued to grow.
Barry Cawte produced a sterling performance on his first game this season — with an injury keeping him out for the majority of the campaign — claiming four goals and two behinds and a number of impressive marks.
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