Adelaide Footy League Focus on Furniture Division 2 week two of the finals
HENLEY may have been the prominent powerhouse throughout the regular season but that won’t leave Athelstone daunted by Saturday’s second semi-final clash.
HENLEY may have been the prominent powerhouse throughout the regular season but that won’t leave Athelstone daunted by the prospect of meeting the division two frontrunner in Saturday’s second semi-final.
The Raggies will be well prepared for a Shark attack and have proven to be the one side that could bring this level’s leading outfit undone.
With not only a coveted grand final appearance on the line but also a promotion to the top flight of the Adelaide Footy League, both sides will be eager to produce a favourable outcome.
This is especially the case for Henley, which has had a quick return to division one on its agenda since the being relegated last year.
Many are expecting it to be a simple formality for Jarrad Wright’s troops but Athelstone has troubled his group in their two encounters during the minor round.
On the more comfortable confines of Max Amber Sportsfield, the Raggies could not withstand a late charge from their visiting opponents, losing by just three points in round four, while at the unfamiliar venue of Henley Memorial Oval, they just failed to create a positive result (only five points down this time) with their own late surge in round 13.
While it has been some time since they last met, these performances will give them some confidence that they can match the might of the Sharks.
However, this is the big stage now.
The experience of Henley, with the likes of Brad Geddes, Josh Thewlis, Tim Broadbent, Denis Redden, Damien Williamson and Michael Gautesen, will be telling.
Athelstone earned the right to meet the Sharks after a composed 17-point triumph over PHOS Camden in last week’s qualifying final.
On Saturday, Raggies coach Jade Sheedy will be looking to his topliners, including Angus Owen, Jack Mozuras, Kyle Durdin, Luke and Michael Rander, as well as Sam Tarca, to set the tone and influence proceedings for an upset to come to fruition.
Sacred Heart OC stunned all in the first week of the finals in a somewhat surprising two-point thriller over Gaza in the elimination final to keep its chances alive of a possible return to division one to truly celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018.
SHOC will continue its away travel throughout the finals if it does proceed and meets the Phantoms in the first semi-final at Camden Oval.
Coach Andrew Underwood won’t worry how much the margin is again this week, as long as it is in his side’s favour.
Although another close one may not be good for the heart, it will be just as tense on the field, Shaun Tapp, Matthew Delmenico, Ben Moroney, Peter Spurling and Sam Potts can ease the pressure on their first year coach.
PHOS Camden can ill afford a straight sets exit from the premiership race and will thus be eager to atone for last week’s disappointment.
Richard O’Grady, Nick Ramsey, Sam and Tom Underwood, and Liam Jacka can remedy the Phantoms’ fortunes and maintain their progress towards the season decider.