Jarrod Cotton finetunes Redlegs as Eagles, Roosters set tone in first week of finals
NORWOOD gets a close-up view of its second semi-final opponent, draft hopefuls show their class, Eagles brothers get in on midfield action and North captain takes leaf out of coach’s playbook. This and more in this week’s SANFL wrap.
- Eagles soar over Double Blues
- Roosters crowing after beating Panthers
- Live blog: Recap all the finals action
- Magarey Medal to go on Parade again?
NORWOOD gets a close-up view of its second semi-final opponent Eagles, draft hopefuls show their class, another reason to bounce the bounce and brothers get in on the action. All this and more in this week’s wrap of SANFL finals action.
NORWOOD PRIMED
Norwood is well prepared for the second semi-final tilt against Woodville-West Torrens after a solid workout on Saturday morning.
To compensate for no action, reward for finishing minor premier, the Redlegs were put through a challenging session with plenty of running as well as some match simulation and skills work.
The reserves also had the bye in the first week of the finals.
The players were required to watch the qualifying final between the Eagles and Sturt.
So what did Redlegs coach Jarrod Cotton think of the action at Adelaide Oval on Sunday?
“The North versus South game was really good and North sustained the pressure for longer,” he said. “The Eagles were really good for four quarters. Their pressure was good and they slowed Sturt down and caused turnovers.”
BALLS UP
After watching the elimination final, I’ve joined those advocating for the bounce to go from the game and be replaced by a ball up.
Just let the two ruckman have an even chance to get their hands to the ball in a fair contest.
Mitch Harvey kicked two goals in the first two minutes of the second quarter to set the Roosters alight. Both goals came as a result of a shoddy bounce which totally favoured the Roosters and they were able to sweep the ball forward.
Panthers have a gun ruckman in Keegan Brooksby, but he had no chance.
NO LAUGHING MATTER
When Sturt’s small forward Josh Hone, noted for his long kick, ran just inside the 50m arc and copped a high tackle, then was driven into the ground from behind, there were only two decisions for the umpire to make. Was it a Double Blues’ free for high contact or in the back?
Nope, let’s call it holding the ball and give the fans a chance for a sarcastic laugh.
When Eagles’ angry ant Angus Poole is running towards goal and is brought down by a great tackle there is only one decision to be made. Has to be holding the ball?
Nope, let’s call it play on. Sometimes it is best just to laugh.
BROTHERS STICK TOGETHER
Eagles coach Michael Godden reckons he has experimented more this season than any other year.
So should we be surprised to see brothers Nick and Jack Hayes join Paul Stewart in the midfield for a centre bounce? It’s good to get Nick into the action because, as mentioned in a previous column, he is a class act but needs to get more involved.
YOUNG GUNS
What about some draft hopefuls from the weekend?
Jack Lukosius started extremely well for the Eagles and was among the few to master the skills. What about that 50m pass when he hit a teammate deep in attack in the first quarter? He did drop out of the contest, but it has been a long season for the young bloke.
Shane McAdam kicked two for the Double Blues and had a couple of nice moments, but was fairly well held by Patrick Giuffreda for most of the day.
Roosters’ teenager Connor Rozee needed just one moment to excite the recruiters. He took a telling mark in defence in the final quarter, it was an absolute beauty.
Panther Nathan Kreuger took a mark going back with the flight of the ball nine minutes into the first quarter and nailed the set shot. It is proof he can play, but he just needs to work on his defensive efforts.
SEWER STOPS CLIMBING LADDER
Woodville legend Ralph Sewer has finally retired from the fire brigade after 45 years service.
It is a little surprising considering he is only a couple of weeks shy of his 67th birthday. Surely Ralphy had a few more years in him if his footy career is any guide.
The left-footer made his senior debut for Woodville in 1969 and was a member of the club’s last ever league combination 22 season later.
How did he become a firey?
After a mate was told by the recruiter when to turn up for work, Sewer asked how he could join up.
The response from the recruiter: “You’re Ralph Sewer, be there on Monday”.
RESULTS
Elimination final
NORTH ADELAIDE 1.3 7.4 8.6 14.6 (90)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 3.3 4.5 9.9 10.10 (70)
BEST — North: Smith, Spina, Tropiano, Clisby, Thring, Harvey. South: Brooksby, Cross, Fields, Heaslip, Liddle, Szust.
GOALS — North: Harvey 4, Spina, Hender 2, McInerney, Barns, Olekalns, Ramsey, Young, Thring. South: Haren, Cross, Overall 2, Rankine, Brooksby, Kreuger, Fields.
UMPIRES — Hundertmark, Broadbent, Medlin.
Qualifying final
EAGLES 2.4 4.7 7.9 8.13 (61)
STURT 2.2 3.3 4.3 6.4 (40)
BEST — Eagles: Stewart, Lewis, N. Hayes, Redden, Sharrad, Sinor. Sturt: Crocker, Kirkwood.
GOALS — Eagles: Poole 2, Borholm, Gray, Hall, J. Hayes, N. Hayes, Haylock, Sturt: McAdam 2, Osborn, Read, Taggert, Dodd.
INJURIES — Eagles: Borholm (ankle). Sturt: Battersby (shoulder).
UMPIRES — Bowen, Lewis, Harris.
CROWD — 8632 at Adelaide Oval.
ON THE BANDWAGON
Anyone who knows Roosters footy manager Darryl Wintle knows he is a good bloke so I’m only too happy to right beside him on the front seat of the Roosters’ wagon.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
Never ever count out a champ, but the Double Blues are hurting physically and they face a tough road to win a third successive flag.
RANKINGS
Only four teams to rank this week.
1: North Adelaide — The Roosters looked under siege early, but they steadied the ship and won the battle of the nerves in the final quarter. The skipper Max Thring reminded me of the coach in his heyday, he was a pest all day.
2: South Adelaide — Why you may ask? Well the elimination was much more entertaining and the Panthers played their part. That last quarter though, how about some composure. Just a little.
3: Eagles — Dominated possession and probably should have won by more given it was 21 scoring shots to 10. Their pressure was terrific and they got the job done.
4: Sturt — Opened the game well and was in it up to their necks at quarter time. But they struggled to combat the Eagles’ pressure and maybe it should be said, no Riley, no Sturt.
THIS WEEK
Sunday, September 9
First semi-final, 12.15pm
Sturt v North Adelaide
Second semi-final, 3.15pm
Norwood v Eagles
