North Adelaide facing even tougher challenge after loss to Eagles
The SANFL season kicked off in style with terrific action, but reigning premier North Adelaide faces an even bigger challenge.
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- Crows’ new kids help upstage Sturt
- Panthers defy preseason form to maul Dogs
- Misfiring Legs overcome Tigers
- Trengove helps Magpies shoot down Bloods
STARTING two games behind the rest of the field was always going to be a challenge for North Adelaide.
Now the obstacle has been further exaggerated by the loss to Woodville-West Torrens in the opening round on the weekend.
The Roosters are three games behind the Eagles, South Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Adelaide and Norwood. It is a massive bridge to cross to contemplate a top three finish and we have had only one round.
Don’t lose faith Roosters’ fans though, your side is still a classy, highly competitive outfit, as it showed against the Eagles. But the club cannot afford to drop any games it is expected to win.
IT’S JUST NOT CRICKET
The Roosters had a bloke from Keith make his debut against the Eagles.
His name, Billy Laurie. When he confirmed he would play at Prospect Oval surely Roosters football manager Darryl Wintle yelled: “Yesssss, got him!!”
STUMPED BY SHARPEY
Here is a little piece of trivia for this week. South Adelaide chief executive Neill Sharpe played state cricket for Victorian under age sides as a batsman.
So what sort of batsman would he have been? I’d suggest one who nudged a single here and there, kept the quick singles to a minimum and every now and again, caught everyone off guard with a wild swing.
KICKING YIPS
What has happened to the goal-kicking skills of Norwood’s Lewis Johnston?
For much of his career he has played up forward and was an extremely reliable kick with his accuracy.
He had a couple of shots against Glenelg at The Parade on Friday night and did not look comfortable with either.
It’s amazing considering he is being used further up the ground as a linkman and constantly hits teammates with a 50m pass.
SNOOK IN RESERVE
Tigers’ ball magnet Matthew Snook will probably be given another run in the reserves after missing much of the pre-season due to osteitis pubis.
He was unable to train until Christmas and fronted in the reserves against the Redlegs.
The onballer moved freely to show he had shrugged off the groin injury and he now just needs to find match fitness.
OH BABY
South Adelaide was able to get the job done in impressive fashion against Central District without gun recruit Malcolm Karpany.
The speedster hurt his back when heavily bumped in the trial against the Eagles. But that is not the reason he did not front the Bulldogs. In fact, he had returned to training.
Karpany withdrew from the game after his partner gave birth to a boy just hours before the opening bounce on Saturday.
RULE IS HANDY
The change in interpretation of the hands in the back in marking contests was never going to be among my favoured new rules.
For me, it creates another grey area for the umpires and hurts the player who is skilful in using his body to outmark an opponent.
Tigers defender Chris Curran will probably agree after the game against the Redlegs, while there was a blatant bad call in the contest between the Panthers and Bulldogs.
SPECIAL VISITOR
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan was in the impressive new Sturt rooms before the contest against the Adelaide at Unley Oval on Saturday.
Obviously in town for the AFLW grand final the following day, McLachlan and AFL General Council (whatever that means) Andrew Dillon got to watch some genuine top-class suburban action.
Wonder if he got to chat with Double Blues chief executive Sue Dewing about the mid-season draft? The state league clubs are justifiably angry with the decision which will hurt the competition significantly.
Hopefully the game gave McLachlan an appreciation for community football and its importance in the football world.
QUOTABLE QUOTE
“The key stats we take — stoppages, marks, tackles, uncontested footy, contested footy — we won them all so we sit here with a bit of an empty feeling,” Sturt coach Nathan Grima said after the loss to Adelaide.
RESULTS
Norwood 9.15 (69) d Glenelg 9.10 (64) at Coopers Stadium, Norwood.
Port Adelaide 11.19 (85) d West Adelaide 8.6 (54) at City Mazda Stadium, Richmond.
South Adelaide 16.6 (102) d Central District 6.7 (43) at Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga.
Adelaide 14.9 (93) d Sturt 8.13 (61) at Peter Motley Oval, Unley.
Eagles 13.12 (90) d North Adelaide 8.17 (65) at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville.
LADDER
1: South Adelaide 2 (70.34%)
2: Port Adelaide 2 (61.15)
3: Adelaide 2 (60.39)
4: Eagles 2 (58.06)
5: Norwood 2 (51.88)
6: Glenelg 0 (48.12)
7: Sturt 0 (39.61)
8: West Adelaide 0 (38.85)
9: Central District 0 (29.66)
10: North Adelaide -4 (41.94)
GOALKICKERS
Matt Wright (Adelaide) 4
Tyson Stengle (Adelaide) 4
Jack Hayes (Eagles) 4
Sam Gray (Port) 4
Thomas Condon (Sturt) 3
James Rowe (Eagles) 3
Gibson Turner (West) 3
Myles Poholke (Adelaide) 3
Kenneth Karpany (West) 3
Joel Cross (South) 3
ON THE BANDWAGON
There was plenty to like about the Eagles’ win over the Roosters. They were short on rotations after losing two players in the first half, but upped the ante in the third quarter against a very good opponent.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
After winning two trials and being narrowly beaten by the Bloods in the other, there were plenty of positives for the Bulldogs heading into round one. However, they had very little potency in attack and struggled in ruck and it looms as a long season.
ROUND 1 RANKINGS
1: Eagles — Under the pump early against a quality Roosters outfit and then hit by injury. But showed it will be a serious contender again this season. Jordan Foote proved he will be a valuable acquisition, picking up plenty of touches and working hard on the ball.
2: South Adelaide — Coming off a lacklustre pre-season, the Panthers found their true form in the real stuff to claim a convincing win against the Bulldogs. They will get plenty of confidence out of the win and will also regain Malcolm Karpany.
3: Adelaide — The Crows were smashed by injury last year, but they showed their capabilities when loaded with AFL talent. Had just two top up players plus captain Matty Wright, who is next door to an AFL player anyway. They were classy going forward with the ball.
4: Port Adelaide — Seriously challenged by the Bloods at Richmond Oval before taking control. Had 30 scoring attempts to 14, evidence of its domination.
5: Norwood — Struggled in attack for most of the night against a spirited Tigers side, but still got the two premiership points. Well ahead in the inside 50 count. Ruckman Sam Baulderstone had a huge last quarter and in that form, he gives the Redlegs a huge spark at the stoppages.
6: Glenelg — Led for most of the night and looked set for its first win at The Parade since 2011, the most recent season the Tigers were in the finals. They are well structured, have a committed defence and will be highly competitive this season.
7: North Adelaide — Looked impressive early with its attack on the contest and pressure. Hurt by missed opportunities in front of goal and then struggled to get clean movement into attack in the second half.
8: Sturt — Won plenty of the key stats, but had to contend with a Crows outfit loaded with AFL talent, and classy AFL-listed talent at that. Facing the Crows early in the season will be a worry for plenty of teams.
9: West Adelaide — Led Port early, but after half-time the visitors took control. Consistency, even in games, was an issue for the Bloods last year and it was a problem in the opening round.
10: Central District — Trailed by just five points midway through the third quarter, only to be belted by 59 points at Noarlunga. The signs are all bad after that performance and there are concerns for ruck and up forward.
THIS WEEK
Friday: Glenelg v Adelaide (ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg, 7.20pm)
Saturday: Central District v Norwood (X Convenience Oval, Elizabeth, 1.10pm)
North Adelaide v West Adelaide (Prospect Oval, 1.10pm)
Port Adelaide v South Adelaide (Alberton Oval, 2.10pm)
Sturt v Eagles (Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 2.40pm).
FOOTNOTE: As for the top item, have a look at the date fools. There won’t be a fans’ poll to decide the Magarey Medallist. Not happening.
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