Adelaide Footy League: Focus on Furniture Division 2 Round 6 preview

GAZA has quietly risen the rungs of the Focus on Furniture division two ladder and revealed itself as a genuine premiership fancy but will they have an answer for Henley?

Henley’s Jarrad Wright talks to his players at quarter time. Picture: Stephen Laffer

GAZA has quietly risen the rungs of the Focus on Furniture division two ladder and revealed itself as a genuine premiership fancy.

Jumping from fourth to second, the unassuming Eagles passed all rivals following their win over PHOS Camden and Sacred Heart OC’s marginal loss last week.

A tightly fought away triumph over the previously third-placed Phantoms by 16 points has Gaza well-focused to face top side and unbeaten Henley back Klemzig this week.

Jack Enright (Henley) is tackled by Sam Franklin (Pembroke). Picture: Stephen Laffer

Brett Heintze, Chris Radetti, Sam Gruber and Matthew Beadle can really generate further enthusiasm around the club with success in round six.

However, the Sharks will be keen to bring their opponents back to earth.

It can be assured that Michael Gautesen, Brad Geddes, Sam Ferguson and Ben Currie (six goals) will be just as imposing against the Eagles as they were in throwing aside Pembroke OS by 75 points last week.

One would anticipate PHOS Camden to bounce back this week against winless Broadview which suffered another heavy loss last Saturday.

Pembroke's Alexander Jarvis gets a handball off before being tackled by PHOS Camden's Harrison Cumming at Haslam Oval. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Athelstone was SHOC’s conqueror in an entertaining contest that remained close for most of the day.

Although the Raggies were ferocious from the outset, building an early 15-point advantage, they could not prevent their visitors from gaining their own ascendancy late in the first quarter.

Athelstone seemed to have regained control, again out to a crucial 15-point lead in the third quarter but Sacred Heart OC was still not done, making things interesting at the finish, just failing by two points.

Justin Sheedy, Christian Elliott, Aaron Stewart and Chris Diotallevi will need to be just as attuned when facing Old Ignatians this Saturday.

Old Iggies may have celebrated a tense one-point coup over Scotch OC but they cannot afford to give their opposition the same type of start – they were goalless at the first break with Scotch OC having six majors on the board by quarter-time.

Tim Bigg, Lawrence Comazzetto, Cameron Ortlepp and Luke Washer worked their way back into the contest, eclipsing their opposition with practically the last kick of the game.

They will surely be made well aware during the week though that a similar opening against Athelstone would not end so favourably.

Like the Phantoms, SHOC, which had its opportunities late to pinch the points from the Raggies, should respond against the Kings at Haslam Oval this week.

Scotch OC faces an uplifted Unley Mercedes Jets this week and will be hoping not to encounter another one-point fixture as has been the case the past two weeks with one win and a loss.

The Jets have now won their last two matches setting up a decisive meeting with Scotch OC which could have serious implications on finals positions.

Henri Westell (six goals), Nick Wark, Nick Chettle and Josip Habljak will take invaluable confidence from their prominent 71-point victory over the Tigers into this week’s home billing.