Monday Recovery: Crucial top three spot in SANFL finals up for grabs plus Tiger claws way into Magarey contention
Glenelg has a stranglehold on minor premiership despite a weekend draw, but who else will earn double chance? Plus, a Tiger claws into Magarey Medal contention, Dogs to dodge spoon and more in this week’s Monday Recovery.
MAJOR BATTLE
Glenelg has all but secured the minor premiership and the rest on the opening weekend of the finals.
But who will meet in the qualifying final? Adelaide, Sturt, Port Adelaide and Norwood are all in the hunt for a top three spot. Having said that, only the Crows of those four are guaranteed a spot in the major round.
Third-placed Double Blues and Port are only two games above South Adelaide in sixth spot, although they have a game in hand, as well as vastly superior percentage. The Redlegs are a game above the Panthers and also have yet to play their round 16 contest.
The Double Blues have the toughest run home with games against the Redlegs, Port and Tigers. They are all at Unley Oval though.
Woodville-West Torrens can still scrape into the top five, but the Eagles need plenty of results to fall their way.
Run home
Glenelg — West (home), Sturt (away).
Adelaide — West (a), Eagles (a), South (a).
Sturt — Norwood (h), Port (h), Glenelg (h).
Port — Eagles (h), Sturt (a), Central (a).
Norwood — Sturt (a), Central (h), West (a).
South — North (h), Adelaide (h).
Eagles — Port (a), Adelaide (h), North (a).
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NO BULLDOGS SPOON
The Roosters’ draw with the Tigers at Prospect Oval on Sunday means Bulldogs coach Roy Laird won’t get the wooden spoon in his final season in charge.
The Bulldogs are five points clear on bottom-placed Roosters with only two games left for both clubs. But the Bloods are only a point above the Roosters and they have yet to play their game.
By the way, enough with the split rounds. There is three this season, plus the weekend off for the state game. Fans need more continuity to follow their team.
MEDAL COUNT
As for the prized individual award, can Panthers star Joel Cross win a third Magarey Medal?
The veteran has had his role altered this season to spend more time in attack this season. He is a proven votegetter, however, and he does those actions, such as the speccy mark, which capture the attention.
His season hasn’t been the same quality of his Magarey Medal-winning seasons of 2012 and 2015, but there have been no real standouts this season.
Glenelg’s Luke Partington has no doubt surged into calculations in the second half of the season with his brilliance on the ball. Port’s Jack Trengove dominated before being injured, Pat Wilson always has an influence for the Crows and Sturt’s Sam Colquhoun has racked up big numbers.
Anyone prepared to bet against the Medal belonging to a midfielder again?
DRAW CONCLUSION
As for having a punt, what would have been the odds on the two biggest sporting events in Adelaide on Sunday finishing in a draw?
North Adelaide and Glenelg slugged out a 39-all affair at Prospect Oval when inefficiency was the story of the contest.
And just 8km away, Adelaide Thunderbirds grabbed their second draw in three games when they had a 46-all thriller against Collingwood Magpies.
Imagine that, the netball game outscored the football.
For the record, the draw at the netball paid $17. Thank you, Ladbrokes.
MAN UP!
The lack of accountability of Central District in the first half against South Adelaide at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday was simply awful.
Midway through the second quarter, the Panthers had two free players standing in the centre square with the Bulldogs having all their 18 on the defensive side of centre. And Panthers forward Sam Overall still took an uncontested mark at centre half forward.
How can that happen?
BAD BREAK
If being sent back to the reserves for the Elizabeth Oval game against the Bulldogs on Saturday was not bad enough for Panthers’ Lee Hoey, he then had to contend with a broken finger.
So bad was the break, the bone was exposed and he was sent to Flinder Hospital for repairs.
RESULTS
South Adelaide 11.13 (79) d Central District 7.7 (49) at Elizabeth Oval.
North Adelaide 4.15 (39) drew with Glenelg 4.15 (39) at Prospect Oval.
LADDER
GOALKICKERS
Liam McBean (Glenelg) 45
Luke Reynolds (Glenelg) 39
James Rowe (Eagles) 31
Josh Hone (Sturt) 29
Troy Menzel (Central) 29
Lewis Hender (North) 28
Mark Evans (Sturt) 28
Tyson Stengle (Adelaide) 26
DISPOSALS
Travis Schiller (Central) 449
Sam Colquhoun (Sturt) 437
Jarred Allmond (North) 426
Lewis Johnston (425)
Jarrod Schiller (Central) 418
Luke Partington (Glenelg) 416
Kaine Stevens (West) 412
Aidan Tropiano (North) 395
MARKS
Chris Curran (Glenelg) 134
Brad McKenzie (Norwood) 127
Sam Colquhoun (Sturt) 126
Cameron Shenton (Norwood) 122
Jack Stephens (Sturt) 121
Troy Menzel (Central) 120
Max Proud (Glenelg) 116
Tanner Smith (111)
Trent Goodrem (Central) 105
ON THE BANDWAGON
The numbers in the Grog Squad at the southern end, or the Barrie Robran end as it is better known, of Prospect Oval have dwindled this season with the Roosters having a lean season. But in the past three games the Roosters have knocked off the Crows and had a draw with the Tigers.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
Drove up Main North Road anticipating a big game from the Bulldogs after hearing they had improved in recent times. Then was forced (had to be there to get paid) to watch them cough up a poor first half to all but hand the points to the Panthers.
RANKINGS
1: North Adelaide — avoiding the wooden spoon gives the Roosters something to play for, but not much else in a disappointing season. But they showed plenty of fight and enthusiasm for the contest as very much the underdog against the competition pacesetters.
2: South Adelaide — apart from the third quarter, it was an impressive performance from the Panthers. Although it must be said they encountered little opposition in the first half and some of their work looked little more than a training drill.
3: Glenelg — matched the Roosters in the pressure stakes and had a heap more trips inside their attacking 50. But just could not get an efficiency with forward entries.
4: Central District — ordinary, ordinary effort for the first half. Finally turned up to play in the third quarter when their intensity lifted and they actually started to pick up an opponent.
THIS WEEK (second week split round)
Sunday
West Adelaide v Adelaide (City Mazda Stadium, Richmond, 1.10pm)
Port Adelaide v Eagles (Alberton Oval, 1.10pm)
Sturt v Norwood (Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 1.40pm)
ROUND 17
Friday, August 16
Norwood v Central District (Coopers Stadium, Norwood, 7.20pm)
Saturday, August 17
Glenelg v West Adelaide (ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg, 1.10pm)
Sunday, August 18
Eagles v Adelaide (Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville, 2.10pm)
South Adelaide v North Adelaide (Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga, 2.10pm)
Sturt v Port Adelaide (Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 2.10pm)