Adelaide Footy League: Focus on Furniture Div 2 Rd 16 preview
OLD Ignatians has received an unexpected boost to its finals chances due to a player permit infringement made by fellow finals aspirant Unley Mercedes Jets.
OLD Ignatians has received an unexpected boost to its finals chances due to a player permit infringement made by fellow finals aspirant Unley Mercedes Jets.
The Adelaide Footy League investigated the eligibility of a player used by the Jets in their round 13 clash against Old Ignatians and found that he did not meet permit requirements within the South Australian Community Football League guidelines.
The Unley Mercedes Jets Football Club was subsequently stripped of the premiership points from that game and score from that fixture, which was awarded to its opponent on the day.
The turn of events has given Old Iggies a ray of hope of playing finals football, now just one win outside the top five alongside the Jets.
However, with only three rounds remaining and probably needing at least two wins to advance, they have a tough draw to realise their finals dream with matches against fourth-placed Gaza this week followed by PHOS Camden (second) and Athelstone (third) to round out the season.
Despite the loss of points, Unley Mercedes Jets still appear most likely to rise up with matches against ninth-placed Pembroke OS, Gaza and presently bottom side Scotch OC to come but they cannot take those lower outfits for granted, particularly as they strive to retain their places at this level for next season.
Trying to hold onto its position inside the top five, Sacred Heart OC does look vulnerable with meetings against PHOS Camden, ladder leader Henley and Pembroke OS to conclude the minor round.
It could be that round 18 encounter against the Kings which proves to be SHOC’s saving grace.
While fifth spot continues to be keenly fought over, the double chance is still to be decided as well between the Phantoms, the Raggies, the Eagles and even SHOC if it happens to upset the current top two sides.
At the same time, the battle to avoid relegation is far from over.
Broadview elevated itself from the bottom two for the first time this season after beating Scotch OC by
12 points last week but its quest for survival will linger until season’s end.
The Tigers last three matches are against the top three sides and Pembroke OS and Scotch OC will face-off in a deciding encounter next week.
Last week’s round went as predicted with other victories to the Sharks over PHOS Camden by 41 points, Athelstone over the Jets by 38 points, Gaza up against Sacred Heart OC by 36 points and Old Iggies defeating the Kings by 87 points but anything could still happen.