Adelaide Footy League: Focus on Furniture Div 2 Round 9 review

Henley has clearly alerted its Focus on Furniture Division 2 opposition to its flag intentions over the first half of the year and it is difficult to see any other side, at present, prevent it from achieving its goal.

Henley has clearly alerted its Focus on Furniture Division 2 opposition to its flag intentions over the first half of the year and it is difficult to see any other side, at present, prevent it from achieving its goal.

While they have faced some close contests, the Sharks are undefeated from the nine rounds so far and if they can maintain that form after this week’s mid-season break then it could stay that way until the finals.

Their primary objective of returning to the top flight of the Adelaide Footy League appears a fait accompli but which club will join them is anyone’s guess at the moment as is the evenness of the remaining competitors.

Consideration can be given to the sides down to current sixth-placed outfit Unley Mercedes Jets to challenge for a grand final appearance and ultimately a berth in Division 1 in 2018.

Every position in the five, withstanding top spot, has shuffled about over recent weeks but no side has commanded their place as a forthright contender to the frontrunner.

PHOS Camden, second, and Athelstone, third, have been the next best performers and should make the second half of the year an exciting battle to the line to become Henley’s final opponent of the season.

The Raggies have gotten the closest to bringing the ladder leader undone, getting within three points at the finish in their round four clash at Max Amber Sportsfield – Athelstone’s home base.

However, they will both meet stiff opposition still from the likes of Sacred Heart OC, Gaza and the Jets, eager to present their case for finals success.

Holding onto their positions in the top five or even gaining a spot in the finals will prove to be a fight in itself while seventh to ninth-placed Old Ignatians, Scotch OC and Pembroke OS respectively keep the pressure on, hoping to pinch their own slot in the finals.

Cellar dweller Broadview though will simply be chasing an elusive victory over the rest of the season before the unwanted detriment of falling back to Division 3 next year.

There have been several major contributors in each side that are expected to have a vital impact on proceedings and register highly in the best and fairest voting for the FA Bloch medal at season’s end.

The Sharks are well spread with skill including Tim Lane, Damian Williamson, Tim Broadbent, Brad Geddes and Josh Thewlis just to name a few.

Sam Inglis, Nick Ramsey and Harry Young have lifted the Phantoms to most likely contender to upset Henley’s run to the premiership while the Raggies have been well served by Justin Sheedy, Christian Elliot and Angus Owen.

SHOC has mixed its form but Taylor Angel, Ned Brooks and Rupert Peake have been consistent throughout.

Regular ball winners Adrian Stephens, David Allocca and Chris Radetti and Josip Habljak, Nathan Chettle and James Khabbaz have led the way for the Eagles and the Jets.

Other Division 2 stars have been Will Abbott (Old Iggies), Jonathon Lagonik (Scotch OC), Jaiden Pengelly (Kings) and Brayden De Prinse (Tigers).

Overall though, it will require a team performance to stop Henley.