Monday Recovery: Sturt defender Fraser Evans, Aidan Riley, John Greenslade announce retirement from the SANFL
Some of Sturt’s biggest stars pull the pin, an ill Andy Otten shines for Adelaide, Glenelg pulls out all stops ahead of Port semi-final battle and more as the race for the SANFL crown heats up.
EVANS LEADS EXODUS
Sturt is set for a big overhaul next season after three more premiership stars announced their retirements from SANFL football following Saturday’s elimination final loss to Norwood.
Fraser Evans, who missed the game because of a hamstring injury, joined Aidan Riley and John Greenslade in announcing their retirements after the match.
It follows a similar call from Evans’ defensive sidekick Jack Stephens a week ago.
Evans was also sidelined for last year’s final series due to an ankle issue.
While the highly decorated Evans, 28, said he would have liked to have played into his 30s, he was struggling to find the time to commit to the state league.
“Doing my hamstring was a message ‘time to hang them up Frame’,” he said.
Evans pulled up sore from the win over Glenelg in the final round, but he was more concerned with his ankle, thinking he had done it again.
He trained on Wednesday, but not at full tilt, and decided to test the hamstring with some sprints at the captain’s run. The hamstring grabbed in the first sprint and scans on Friday showed a grade tear strain.
What a great servant of the Sturt Football Club with two flags, a Bob Quinn Medal, a Jack Oatey Medal and two state jumpers. And lists his favourite movie as Good Will Hunting so no argument from me.
As for Jack Stephens, a couple of flags, a Jack Oatey Medal and state captain this season, another massive loss for the Double Blues.
Former Adelaide Crow and midfield bull Riley, 27, retires as a dual Sturt premiership player after 107 SANFL matches since arriving at the club through the SANFL mini draft in 2010.
Talented forward Greenslade, 27, featured in the 2016 premiership and managed 124 games.
HEROIC OTTEN
Full credit to Adelaide veteran Andy Otten for his efforts in the qualifying loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
The defender was crook for a few days and had a genuine reason for a now show, especially having announced his retirement from AFL action last month.
But he gave his all, as he has done in the state league all season. The commitment of the senior AFL blokes to AFL footy sometimes gets questioned, not so for Otten.
He will welcome having rookie Jordan Butts alongside him against Norwood in the first semi-final. Butts missed the opening weekend of finals after being concussed against South Adelaide.
Elliott Himmelberg will appreciate the expected return of Kieran Strachan from concussion to provide some firepower in ruck. He will be even happier if Paul Hunter returns from injury.
TIGERS GET REST
It seemed a strange move by Glenelg coach Mark Stone to rest four players from the reserves final against Central District on Saturday.
Finn Betterman, Josh Koster, Darcy LeCornu and Rulla Kelly-Mansell were left out of the final and saved for a full-scale training hit out at Adelaide Oval on Monday.
If they are not used in the second semi-final clash against Port, they will be going a few weeks without football. No matter how hard you train, it never replaces the real stuff.
But who are we to question Stoney after what he has achieved with the Tigers since joining the club last year?
Leaving out the four players had a flow-on impact on the under-18 side and it lost its final to the Panthers.
By the way, the Tigers earned the Stanley H. Lewis Trophy as the SANFL’s best performing club. The league side was minor premier, while the ressies and under 18s qualified for the finals to earn 200 points more than second-placed Norwood.
The Tigers would have been happy their league side was not in action on Saturday given the reserves were playing at Unley Oval and the under 18s at Woodville Oval.
Had the league side been playing at Adelaide Oval, the club’s resources would have been stretched probably beyond the limit.
HEALTHY LEGS
Captain Jace Bode is expected to be the only player unavailable for selection for the Norwood in either league or ressies this week.
Bode is sidelined with an ankle problem, while Mitch Wilkins missed the elimination final because of back soreness.
The Redlegs meet the Double Blues in the reserves second semi-final at Richmond Oval on Saturday and they take on the Crows in the league first semi-final at Adelaide Oval the following day.
Unless there is a player in doubt, it is unlikely a player will be held out of the reserves to be on standby for the league game.
BUSY REVIEW
The SANFL review panel had a busy time after the final minor round.
The Crows need to beat Norwood for Ben Davis to front in the finals after copping two games for a tackle on Ben Haren which left the Panther heavily concussed.
Port forward Aidyn Johnson is available this week after being ousted for a game for engaging in rough conduct with Central District captain Trent Goodrem.
Bulldog Jydon Neagle accepted a two-game ban for engaging in rough conduct with Port’s Peter Ladhams. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the penalty was determined on Ladhams being concussed, yet the ruckman fronted — and starred — in the qualifying final.
The mail on the streets is Neagle and his brother Jaxon will return to Wodonga next season, while another brother Matthew will stay at Elizabeth.
Continuing with the match review panel, North Adelaide midfielder Aidan Tropiano, Sturt ruckman Daniel Fahey-Sparks and Eagles veteran Scott Lewis accepted $200 fines and a reprimand.
RESULTS
LEAGUE
Elimination final
Norwood 16.14 (110) d Sturt 15.6 (96) at Adelaide Oval.
Qualifying final
Port Adelaide 12.13 (85) d Adelaide 8.7 (55) at Adelaide Oval.
RESERVES
Elimination final
Central District 11.12 (78) d Glenelg 3.10 (28) at Unley Oval.
Qualifying final
Sturt 11.9 (75) d Eagles 8.10 (58) at Unley Oval.
UNDER 18S
First semi-final
South Adelaide 13.10 (88) d Glenelg 10.3 (63) at Woodville Oval.
Second semi-final
Eagles 14.8 (92) d West Adelaide 10.6 (66) at Woodville Oval.
ON THE BANDWAGON
Port has contested two grand finals since becoming the Power reserves in 2014 and it should be a third this year. The rule changes for the AFL team this season have done them no harm at all.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
My boys out on The Parade need to start getting some consistency, and quickly, into the game. They had the chance to put the Double Blues away a couple of times.
RANKINGS
1: Port Adelaide — there is so much AFL talent in the side and quality at that. Peter Ladhams not only gets the job done in the ruck, but he does a good job around the ground. It’s not hard for the few top ups players to get carried along for the ride.
2: Norwood — at times the Redlegs were ultra impressive, but there were periods when they allowed the Double Blues to get the momentum back. Lots of pace in the side and have the capacity to score quickly.
3: Adelaide — had a few less AFL players than Port and fought a good battle until three-quarter time. Top up player Pierce Seymour shows a bit in defence. The Crows need to get more out of Myles Poholke and Jordan Gallucci.
4. Sturt — conceded quick goals in the second quarter which hurt big time. The Double Blues kept coming though and Jake Sutcliffe was a star up forward. And yes Jake, your mark 18 minutes into the fourth quarter in front of goal which would have cut the deficit to nine points should have been paid.
THIS WEEK
LEAGUE
Sunday, Adelaide Oval
First semi-final, 12.15pm
Adelaide v Norwood
Second semi-final, 3.15pm
Glenelg v Port Adelaide
RESERVES
Saturday, City Mazda Stadium, Richmond
First semi-final, 11am
Eagles v Central District
Second semi-final, 1.30pm
Norwood v Sturt
UNDER 18S
Sunday, Adelaide Oval, 9.30am
Preliminary final
South Adelaide v West Adelaide