Adelaide Footy League: Focus on Furniture Division 2 April 7 preview
WE may have only just had round one but there already seems to be a hierarchical structure being established in Focus on Furniture Division 2, with standout sides already emerging.
WE may have only just had Round 1 but there already seems to be a hierarchical structure being established in Focus on Furniture Division 2.
It is a long year but several clubs showed that they will be the standout sides pressing for success in 2017 while others will struggle to match them over the distance.
One contest that many would have expected to be a tight, gruelling encounter would have been the replay of last year’s Division 3 grand final.
However, it turned out to be the most lopsided match of the weekend with the 2016 runners-up Athelstone having no problems accounting for Pembroke OS.
Last year’s Division 3 premier was sadly uncompetitive in its first game up a level, losing by a whopping 113 points.
Aaron Stewart, Jack Mozuras, Josh Schinella and Matthew Mauriello from the Raggies will need to prepare for a much tougher battle this week, though, as they host another genuine contender in Gaza.
The Eagles came through the closest clash of the opening round, overcoming Scotch OC by 22 points with returning star David Allocca, Brett Heintze, Michael Pasiczynsky and Chris Radetti proving the difference.
The Kings will look to response when they meet Broadview away on Saturday.
The Tigers have lost numerous key long serving players from last season including Scott Burnett, Tom Schlinker, Matthew Kemp, Andy Read, Pat Casey, Ben Bamford, Peter and Tom Elfenbein, Floyd Fulwood, Matthew Schmidt and Lachlan Warner so it will be a fresh start for new coach Sean Jackson as the club rebuilds.
They failed to put Sacred Heart OC under any pressure after quarter-time last week but back home may be a different outfit.
SHOC was at its punishing best, winning by 97 points, suggesting it will be one of the top fancies this year and will be keen for a similar result this week against college foes Old Ignatians which found Henley too strong in week one.
The Sharks have the side this year to push them back into the top flight of the Adelaide Footy League.
New coach Jarrad Wright would have been pleased with the first-up efforts of incoming recruits Denis Redden, Travis Lane, Patrick Sinor and Nathan Smith, while regular star contributors Brad Geddes and Jake Pavlich had a major input as usual in the powerful 52-point victory.
They head to Kingswood Oval on Saturday to face relegated Unley Mercedes Jets who discovered their return to Division 2 will be no easier feat.
PHOS Camden stakes its claim early to being a major player in 2017, beating the Jets by a handy 49 point last week.
Phantom Aaron Bergsma began where he left off last year while Harrison Cumming and Josh Bayliss were also influential and should be again against Scotch this Saturday.
Let’s see what happens this week but already it appears the front runners this season will be Sacred Heart OC, Henley, PHOS Camden and Gaza with Athelstone menacing around the packs.