North Adelaide downs Glenelg by 16 points to leave Tigers’ finals hopes hanging in the balance
GLENELG has blown a golden opportunity to all but seal its first SANFL finals appearance since 2011 after falling to a shock 16-pont loss to struggling North Adelaide at the Bay.
GLENELG has blown a golden opportunity to all but seal its first finals appearance since 2011 after falling to a shock loss to struggling North Adelaide.
The Tigers were slow out of the blocks and wasteful in front of goal as they went down by 16 points to the previously bottom-placed Roosters at Glenelg Oval on Saturday.
The result left the Bays fifth heading into next weekend’s final minor round, but with South Adelaide, Central District and Adelaide snapping at their heels just one win back.
North for its part was hungry, determined and cleaner with the ball as it recorded just its fourth win of a frustrating campaign to climb off the foot of the ladder.
The visitors booted seven unanswered goals in the opening term and dug deep when it mattered as they held off the fast-finishing Glenelg.
The Tigers closed to within 12 points late in the final term thanks to two goals from Ian Milera (three majors) and one to brother Terry Milera.
But teenager Maris Olekalns, who caught the eye throughout, iced the victory in time on with his third goal to complete a happy day at the office for North coach Josh Carr.
“I challenged the players to make a strong start and they responded really well today,” Carr said.
“We’ve almost had to go back a step at times this year ... but I think there’s a lot of positives to take into next season.”
North exploded into the contest to build an unlikely 40-point quarter-time lead.
James Craig got the ball rolling, before impressive big man Alex Barns (two goals) and Olekalns (20 disposals) were on target.
Lewis Hender teed up Keenan Ramsey, Max Thring (24 possessions) goaled twice and the gutsy Joe Anderson (11 tackles) kicked truly as the Roosters ran riot.
Glenelg rallied in the second term to cut North’s lead to 17 at the main break.
Josh Scott snapped home to finally get the hosts on board, before two classy goals by Ziggy Vitkunas, the second of which came after the half-time siren, gave the Tigers the momentum.
But the Roosters bounced back in the third to gain a decisive three-goal advantage, after majors to Lewis Hender and debutant Frazer Driscoll.
Mitch Harvey capped a rare bright spot in a forgettable season for North with a sealer at the death.
SCOREBOARD
Glenelg 0.3 4.6 8.7 12.11 (83)
North Adelaide 7.1 7.5 11.7 15.9 (99)
BEST - Glenelg: Earl, Sawford, Scharenberg, I. Milera, Curran, Vitjunas. North: Olekalns, Schwarz, M. Thring, Barns, Clisby, Anderson, Wharton.
GOALS - Glenelg: I. Milera 3, Vitkunas, McBean, T. Milera 2, Barry, Scott, Nicholson. North: Olekalns 3, M. Thring, Barns 2, McInerney, Kirk, J. Craig, Ramsey, Anderson, Hender, Harvey, Driscoll.
UMPIRES - A. Crosby, S. Galletly, R. Hundertmark.
At Glenelg Oval.
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