Adelaide Footy League: Focus on Furniture Division 2 Round 8 preview
PHOS Camden has discovered the hard way what is required to be successful in Focus on Furniture division two this season.
PHOS Camden discovered the hard way what is required to be successful in Focus on Furniture division two this season.
The Phantoms were spooked by the efforts of ladder leader Henley in the top-of-the-table clash last week.
Humbled by 61 points in a lesson that they will learn much from, they now know the level that needs to be reached to match the best in the competition.
PHOS Camden at least showed that required spirit over the first half of the contest, only 17 points in arrears at the main break, but the flag favourite exposed its might in the second half, restricting their visitor’s run and ball use.
The Phantoms will need to show that kind of intensity themselves when Sacred Heart OS, which overtook them in second place following last week’s results, comes to Camden Oval on Saturday.
SHOC knocked Gaza out of the top five, winning a testing encounter by 17 points, and will be keen to hold onto its spot on the ladder to set up another table-top clash in round nine next week.
However, Connor Hartshorne, Taylor Angel, Jack Mackay and Mitchell Parr from Sacred Heart OC must be instrumental once again if that is to happen.
The Sharks face a game of opposite extremes this week, hosting winless Broadview.
One would expect it to be one-way traffic for Henley’s Tim Broadbent, Thomas Thunig, Stefan Jarman and Harris Jessen but the Tigers will surprise one day.
They almost did last week against Scotch OC, competitive up to half-time before being over-run.
Asides from the top and bottom sides, division two is very even this year as the tightness of the ladder highlights.
Only one win separates second to sixth, while eighth and ninth are just three wins behind with Old Ignatians in the middle and only two wins from SHOC.
Unley Mercedes Jets have made the greatest advancement in recent weeks, elevating themselves into fifth spot last week with a significant seven-goal victory over Athelstone.
The Jets can look towards climbing higher when they meet Pembroke OS at Haslam Oval on Saturday.
Luke Croker, Nathan Chettle, Henri Westell and Andrew Khabbaz can now have thoughts of the double chance being a possibility.
The Raggies won’t want to fall any further though and thus will be eager to respond against a visiting Scotch OC this week.
Old Iggies can maintain some pressure on the top five if, on Saturday, they can conquer a vengeful Gaza, out to move back up itself after last week’s lapse.
An effective nine-goal result over the Kings kept Old Ignatians in touch with its finals dream but a loss this week could see it drop two wins behind.
The influence of Dylan McNeil, Will Abbott, Austin Murdoch and Cameron Ortlepp amongst others will prove vital again to achieve a favourable outcome over the Eagles.