Eagles coach Michael Godden faces crucial selection decisions for final against Norwood
WHO will Woodville-West Torrens coach Michael Godden rely on the get the job done against Norwood in the second semi-final? And will Sturt’s injured stars get up for their do-or-die clash. See all the teams and the last word on Sunday’s semi-finals.
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WOODVILLE-West Torrens coach Michael Godden faces a dilemma with his selection for the second semi-final clash against Norwood at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Does he bring in another ruckman to replace injured Marc Borholm after naming Jordan West and Seb Guilhaus in a 23-man squad? Or does he rely on Jarrad Redden to get the job done on Redlegs’ ruckman Sam Baulderstone?
Godden must also make a decision on small forward Jake Johansen, who missed last week’s win over Sturt because of a calf issue.
The Redlegs have regained defender Michael Talia from a back injury and gun onballer Matthew Panos, who was rested from the final round loss to South Adelaide.
First Semi Final
Sturt v North Adelaide
Sunday, Adelaide Oval, 12.15pm
Double Blues
F: Dodd, Taggert, McAdam
HF: Slimming, M. Evans, J. Hone
C: Colquhoun, Riley, Crocker
HB: Sumner, Stephens, Harms
B: Page, Edmonds, Gilfoy
R: Osborn, Kirkwood, Battersby
INT: Greenslade, Read, Sutcliffe, Munn, Thiele
IN: Riley, Munn
Roosters
F: Harvey, A. Barns, Young
HF: Hender, Ramsey, Rozee
C: Olekalns, Tropiano, Allmond
HB: Castree, Smith, Spina
B: Wilkie, C. Craig, Clisby
R: Sweet, T. Schwarz, Thring
INT: McInerney, Nixon, Slee, Wohling, Woodcock
IN: Wohling, Nixon
SO WHO WINS?
The Roosters will rarely get a better opportunity to conquer the Double Blues, who have injury concerns and sore bodies after last week’s loss to the Eagles. If Battersby and Riley do not play, North’s odds shorten significantly. And the Roosters will have grown in confidence after conquering the in-form Panthers. North impressed when it beat Sturt at Unley Oval in round three, before the Double Blues hit back hard with a 27-point win at Prospect Oval in round 13. Never count out a champion.
MAKING A STAND
Sturt: Mark Evans is this season’s Ken Farmer Medallist but he failed to kick a goal against the Eagles last weekend. He needs to do some damage in attack.
North: Alex Barns has been terrific this season. He needs to have a bigger impact than last week, though.
TIPS
Warren Partland: Sturt 1-12.
Matthew Turner: Sturt 13-24.
Daniela Abbracciavento: North 1-12.
Patrick Keam: Sturt 1-12.
Second Semi Final
Norwood v Eagles
Adelaide Oval, Sunday, 3.15pm
Redlegs
F: Hamilton, Shenton, Phillips
HF: Smart, Dawe, Abbott
C: A. Wilson, Panos, L. Johnston
HB: McKenzie, Talia, Bode
B: Fuller, Georgiou, Wilkins
R: Baulderstone, Grigg, Nunn
INT: Surman, Gerloff, Z. Richards, Jefferies, Bampton
IN: Panos, A. Wilson, Gerloff, Talia
OUT: Levicki, Pisani
Eagles
F: Gray, N. Hayes, Lukosius
HF: Boyd, J. Hayes, Petrenko
C: Hall, Sinor, Lewis
HB: Goldsworthy, Thompson, Rowland
B: Giuffreda, Von Bertouch, Stewart
R: Redden, Sharrad, Poole
INT: Haylock, Johansen, West, Guilhaus, Firns
IN: Johansen, Guilhaus, West
SO WHO WINS?
The Redlegs are rated $1.67 favourites to claim the flag by Ladbrokes. That is very short and an indication of just how strong as favourites they are. They conquered the Eagles in both contests this season and were impressive both times. Do the Eagles have some answers – and the pace to go with the Legs? There has been plenty of finals heartache in recent years for the Eagles – this is a chance to make a statement.
MAKING A STAND
Norwood: Brady Dawe has been a terrific servant for the Redlegs and can be a hard match-up.
Eagles: Jarrad Redden needs to be a little more effective around the ground.
TIPS
Warren Partland: Norwood 25-36.
Matthew Turner: Norwood 13-24.
Daniela Abbracciavento: Norwood 1-12.
Patrick Keam: Norwood 13-24.