North Adelaide and Eagles turn it on in incredible preliminary final
THE 19-man controversy has taken the limelight off what was a great advertisement for the SANFL. And unless the result is reversed, Sunday looms as a big day for North and Norwood with both league and reserves sides in the decider.
- Settle saga on field with final quarter replay: Blight
- Rucci: SANFL stuck in crisis with no clear solution
- What happens next? SANFL meets on 19th man blunder
- Controversy mars incredible Roosters victory
- League confirms 19th man, Eagles eye legal options
- Victorious captain in doubt, vice-captain out
ACTION APLENTY
What a shame the 19-man controversy has taken the limelight off what was a great advertisement for the state league.
The game was an absolute beauty. The Eagles dominated the first half and the Roosters came storming back to control most of the second.
Even the magnitude of the victory altered coach Josh Carr’s demeanour little. Maybe he had injuries to a couple of stars on his mind.
Or he is aware of the challenging task facing the club against the red-hot Norwood. Then again, maybe he was aware there would be some troubled waters ahead with the extra man on the ground.
LEGS COCK-A-HOOP
Sunday will be a big day for the Redlegs and North Adelaide when they clash in the league and reserves grand finals.
The Redlegs will start hot favourite in the main game, while the Roosters were first into the reserves decider.
There are injury problems for the Roosters, however, with Alex Spina ruled out due to a broken collarbone and captain Max Thring in serious doubt because of a calf problem.
Thring limped out of the preliminary final late in the final quarter and had the calf heavily iced on the bench. The onballer missed the final three rounds because of a calf problem.
The injuries will impact on the reserves as they will lose at least a player to the league side.
NOW FOR THE BIG ONE
The Redlegs earned a shot at the reserves crown when they held off Central District to win the preliminary final by seven points at Richmond Oval on Saturday. They had led by as much as 32 in the third quarter.
Key forward Luke Surman finished with only three behinds for the Redlegs so probably didn’t do enough to push his way into the league side.
Zac Richards didn’t do his chances of promotion any harm when he amassed a game-high 31 possessions.
BAD MISS
How is this for a crucial moment in the preliminary final.
Seven minutes into the final quarter, the Eagles had an 18-point lead when James Boyd ran into an open goal and hit the post.
Being 24 points up, rather than 19, would have been crucial.
The Roosters banged home the next seven goals to get out to a 22-point advantage.
BLACK ARM BANDS
The Roosters wore black arm bands for the second successive. Against the Eagles, they were to honour the passing of a family member of Robbie Young.
Last week, the Roosters wore arm bands to recognise the passing of Jan Linder, wife of former champion Don Linder and a club life member.
GRAND HURLEY
SANFL football operations manager Tom Hurley is facing a big week himself preparing for two grand finals.
There is of course the big one at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
But on Saturday, Hurley will be in action with Rostrevor OC when it chases back-to-back flags against Tea Tree Gully in the Adelaide Footy League division one grand final at Thebarton Oval.
Hurley has a bit of talent too. He was an All-Australian at under 18 level and played 45 league games for Sturt before joining ROC.
Hurley has already had a busy week dealing with the preliminary final fall out. Being a lawyer himself, he is the right man to have in the job.
DOGS POTENTIAL
Highly promising Central District youngster Aaron Nietschke is the under 18 MVP after averaging 32 disposals in his eight games this year.
The 18-year-old from Eudunda Robertstown FC averaged 14 contested possessions, nine marks, five clearances, three tackles and a goal in glaring evidence of his potential.
Nietschke also played five reserves games before cementing a spot in the league side.
The young bloke is versatile and should be picked up in the national draft.
RESULTS
NORTH ADELAIDE 1.3 2.5 7.6 15.10 (100)
EAGLES 4.1 7.4 10.8 14.11 (95)
BEST — North: Wilkie, Schwarz, Allmond, Tropiano, Woodcock, Clisby. Eagles: J. Hayes, Petrenko, Hall, Lewis, Thompson.
GOALS — North: Woodcock, Young, Ramsey 3, Harvey 2, McInerney, Hender, Schwarz, Olekalns. Eagles: J. Hayes 6, Hall 2, Petrenko, Haylock, Rowland, Lukosius, Poole, Goldsworthy.
INJURIES — North: Thring (calf), Spina (shoulder).
REPORTS — Sharrad (Eagles).
UMPIRES — J. Broadbent, T. Medlin, M. Harris.
CROWD — 7419 at Adelaide Oval.
ON THE BANDWAGON
The Redlegs sat back in the loungechair, feet up sipping on a chardonnay watching the Roosters cop some injuries to key players. Then Monday morning, they were relaxing with a latte watching the fall out of the 19 men drama. It has all fallen into place for the Redlegs and those who took the $6 with Ladbrokes are already spending the money.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
Sorry Tubs, but I’m off the Roosters wagon. As much as we admired the amazing comeback, losing Alex Spina and having the skipper under an injury cloud — and we are talking those real dark black clouds I encountered as a kid in Coffs Harbour — hurts big time.
THIS WEEK
Grand final
League
Norwood v North Adelaide (?)
Adelaide Oval, Sunday, 3pm
Reserves
North Adelaide v Norwood
Adelaide Oval, Sunday, 11.25am
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