SANFL Insider Round 17: Adelaide’s grand statement as Pies, Dogs and Roosters locked in three-way fight for two spots

SANFL writer Andrew Capel rounds up who's hot, who’s not, player of year votes and all you need to know from an action-packed Round 17 of state league footy.

Adelaide defied the odds to make a big flag statement, Glenelg lost its stranglehold on the minor premiership and the battle for fourth and fifth became a three-team affair.

In a pulsating round where there were two draws and another game decided by two points, the door was opened to a thrilling final minor round series on Saturday.

Here’s all you need to know about a remarkable Round 17 of SANFL footy and what’s in store as the race for finals spots goes down to the wire.

Adelaide’s Lachlan Sholl celebrates kicking a crucial goal in his side’s inspirational upset win against Sturt at Unley Oval on Saturday. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

Sturt’s Will Coomblas takes a strong mark against Adelaide on Saturday. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

ROUND 17 SCOREBOARD

South Adelaide 15.7 (97) drew Port Adelaide 14.13 (97)

Central District 8.12 (60) d North Adelaide 8.10 (58)

Woodville-West Torrens 16.8 (104) d Glenelg 12.10 (82)

West Adelaide 10.16 (76) drew Norwood 11.10 (76)

Adelaide 16.7 (103) d Sturt 13.9 (87)

POWER RANKINGS

1. Adelaide:

(13-4: Produced what coach Michael Godden described as arguably the club’s greatest SANFL win, coming from 19 points behind to upset Sturt with only 11 AFL-listed players and losing one of them (Andrew McPherson) early through injury. Looms large in September).

2. Glenelg:

(14-3: Still holds top spot on the ladder but has lost some form and has some injury concerns. Coughed up 104 points in a shock loss to the Eagles and now needs to beat South at home in the final minor round to be assured of winning the minor premiership).

3. Sturt:

(13-4: Made some bad, uncustomary turnovers against Adelaide and paid a heavy price. Expects to regain ace midfielder Patrick Wilson from a knee injury for its final minor round game and knows it will be playing in a qualifying final - against the Crows or Tigers).

4. Port Adelaide:

(8-8-1: Courageously came from 41 points down in the third quarter against South to hit the front by two points late in the final term before conceding two behinds and having to be content with a draw. A win or draw against Central in the final round will be enough to secure a finals spot).

5. Central District:

(8-9: Took a giant step towards playing finals for the first time since 2017 by coming from behind at three-quarter time to edge North at Prospect. A win against Port at home this week will seal a finals berth).

6. North Adelaide:

(8-9: Last year’s beaten grand finalist is walking the finals tightrope, most likely needing to beat Sturt, which has nothing to play for, at home in the final minor round to stay in the hunt. Will regain Magarey Medallist Campbell Combe from suspension for the big game).

7. Woodville-West Torrens:

(6-11: Stunned Glenelg to illustrate there are some nice kids coming through at Eagleland. Dual premiership coach Jade Sheedy will lead the club into battle for the final time this week, where he will be given a fitting send-off, when the Eagles host West).

8. Norwood:

(5-11-1: For the eighth time this season the reigning premier had a game decided by two goals or less. This time it was a draw against West after the Redlegs coughed up a 35-point third quarter lead).

9. South Adelaide:

(5-11-1: Another week where South played some outstanding football but paid a heavy price for a poor quarter. Led by 41 points, lost the lead and then salvaged a draw with two late behinds).

10. West Adelaide:

(3-13-1: The Bloods will finish bottom for a fifth consecutive year after drawing with Norwood but one thing Adam Hartlett’s side can’t be accused of is lacking spirit. Came from 35 points behind against Norwood to pinch a premiership point).

Crow Billy Dowling is surrounded by teammates after kicking a decisive final quarter goal against Sturt. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

NUMBERS GAME

Top 12 Champion Data ranking points

James Rowe (Eagles) 171

Lachlan Sholl (Adelaide) 155

Harry Grant (Central) 155

Jez McLennan (Central) 153

Tom Morrish (West) 146

Keegan Brooksby (South) 145

Jackson Callow (Norwood) 142

Jacob Kennerley (Norwood) 140

Corey Lyons (Glenelg) 139

Harry Boyd (Norwood) 137

Justin Hoskin (Central) 136

Andrew Moore (North) 131

THE STAT

41

Points South Adelaide led by against Port Adelaide midway through the third quarter at Noarlunga Oval before being headed late in the final term and then salvaging a last-gasp draw.

FLYING HIGH

Mark of the week

Tyler Brown (Adelaide)

The Crows midfielder, forced to ruck at times against Sturt because of his injury-riddled side’s lack of talls, sealed the contest at Unley with a strong mark and goal late in the final term.

Brown jumped high in front of a pack to pull in a superb grab and seal Adelaide's remarkable, come-from-behind victory.

SAY WHAT

Quotes of the week

“I can’t recall a win like that, when we’ve been so undermanned. It was a case of next man up and it’s as good a win as I can remember. We went in with no ruckmen so we had to have different plans and I’m just really proud of the way we adapted and adjusted. To be down 18 points at half-time and come back the way we did was great. We’ve said it for the past couple of years, that the teamwork and camaraderie with this group is outstanding. They have a great will to win and I just love the vibe that they bring.’’

Adelaide coach Michael Godden

“It was a disappointing result for us. We knew they (the Crows) were going to go smaller because of their lack of ruckmen and the turnovers hurt because good teams score off those. That was the frustrating part, that we had a few turnovers, especially through the midfield, and they were all over them.’’

Sturt coach Martin Mattner

“Our message during the week was to be brave and take the game on. We moved the ball really well and wanted to play an uncontested style which forced them (Glenelg) to defend. We’ve been a work in progress this year ... our playing group is built on blue-collar, hard work and our last quarter resembled that. Our players have been fantastic, led by our captain Joey Sinor, and with the growth of the kids, this footy club has a bright future. It (last game as coach) will be emotional, especially during the week, but I’m looking forward to it and having some fun.”

Eagles coach Jade Sheedy

“The most disappointing thing is we didn’t value defence. We allowed them (the Eagles) to move the ball up the ground too easily. That comes down to mindset and attitude. We have been good in that area but while it’s human nature there might be a drop off (after securing a top three spot), there are no excuses. We could have put it (minor premiership) to bed, but we have another chance to do that against South.’’

Glenelg coach Darren Reeves

“We’re alive (for finals), it just shows how healthy the SANFL comp is. Our group will never throw in the towel. We were getting plenty of looks in attack but just couldn’t find that goal we needed at times until the end. It’s all up to next week for both us and North.’’

Central coach Paul Thomas

“Game-wise some costly errors hurt us and Central capitalised. Our destiny is in our hands this week. I couldn’t question the boys’ efforts for the game. We are still alive.’’

North coach Jacob Surjan

“I think it is really important for our club (to play finals). It’s also important for our contracted players to get what they deserve and they have worked really hard.”

Port coach Tyson Goldsack

“We have forgotten how to win, that has been the season for us in every game. We have 15 minutes that is so far sub-par. Our good is really good and then our poor is really poor and there is no balance in between. It was really disappointing.”

South coach Jarrad Wright

Star Double Blues midfielder Tom Lewis bursts clear under pressure from Adelaide’s Louis Sharrad at Unley Oval on Saturday. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ROUND 17

PANTHERS v MAGPIES

Luke Marchioro’s votes

3 - Kobe Mutch (SA)

2 - Orazio Fantasia (PA)

1 - Mitch O’Neill (SA)

ROOSTERS v BULLDOGS

Gordon Armstrong’s votes

3 - Harry Grant (CD)

2 - Andrew Moore (NA)

1 - Mitch Harvey (NA)

EAGLES v TIGERS

Steve Barrett’s votes

3 - James Rowe (WWT)

2 - Joseph Sinor (WWT)

1 - Corey Lyons (Glen)

BLOODS v REDLEGS

Warren Partland’s votes

3 - Kobe Ryan (WA)

2 - Harry Boyd (Norw)

1 - Matt Panos (Norw)

DOUBLE BLUES v CROWS

Andrew Capel’s votes

3 - Jackson Hately (Adel)

2 - Lachlan Sholl (Adel)

1 - James Battersby (Sturt)

North Adelaide’s Harrison Elbrow boots a long-range goal against Central District at Prospect Oval on Saturday. Picture: Cory Sutton

LEADERBOARD

(After Round 17)

17 – Harry Schoenberg (Adel)

17 – Tom Lewis (Sturt)

17 – James Battersby (Sturt)

17 – Harry Grant (CD)

16 - Nik Rokahr (Norw)

14 – James Rowe (WWT)

13 – Liam McBean (Glen)

13 – Jackson Hately (Adel)

12 – Kobe Ryan (WA)

11 – Matthew Allen (Glen)

11 – Harry Boyd (Norw)

9 – Patrick Wilson (Sturt)

9 – Campbell Combe (NA)

9 - Keegan Brooksby (SA)

9 – Jarrod Schiller (CD)

9 - Mitch O’Neill (SA)

8 – Jez McLennan (CD)

8 - Jackson Mead (PA)

8 - Max Proud (Glen)

8 – Harrison Wigg (NA)

8 – Corey Lyons (Glen)

8 – Joseph Sinor (WWT)

7 – Matt Crouch (Adel)

7 – Mitch Hardie (WWT)

7 – Luke Partington (Glen)

7 – Callum Park (WA)

7 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)

7 - Sam Berry (Adel)

6 - Cam McGree (Glen)

6 – Quinton Narkle (PA)

6 - Casey Voss (Sturt)

6 – Hugh Jackson (PA)

6 - Oliver Davis (SA)

6 - Toby Pink (Glen

6 - Lachlan Gollant (Adel)

6 - Sam Mayes (NA)

5 - Alex Spina (NA)

5 – Nick Moore (PA)

5 - Josh Hone (Sturt)

5 - Kieran Strachan (Adel)

SHARPSHOOTERS

Leading goalkickers

50 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)

39 – Liam McBean (Glen)

39 – Josh Hone (Sturt)

37 – Lachlan Gollant (Adel)

35 – Luke Reynolds (Glen)

30 – Zach Sproule (SA)

30 – Lachlan Burrows (Sturt)

27 – Connor Ballenden (WWT)

24 – Tariek Newchurch (Adel)

23 – Liam Delahunty (WA)

UP NEXT

Round 18

Woodville-West Torrens v West Adelaide (Maughan Thiem Kia Oval), Sat, Aug 26, 2.10pm

Central District v Port Adelaide (X Convenience Oval), Sat, Aug 26, 2.10pm

Glenelg v South Adelaide (Stratarama Stadium), Sat, Aug 26, 2.10pm

North Adelaide v Sturt (Prospect Oval), Sat, Aug 26, 2.10pm

Norwood v Adelaide (Coopers Stadium), Sat, Aug 26, 2.10pm