SANFL Monday Recovery: Norwood faces crunch time against West Adelaide after loss to Central District
Norwood’s challenging road to finals, Roy Laird gets some satisfaction, it’s Crabb Week at the Panthers as they eye fifth spot and the young Blood and Dog turning heads. See video of this week’s highlights and more in this week’s Monday Recovery.
- Panthers crush Roosters to stay alive in race for finals
- Eagles send off loyal servant in style
- Magpies weather storm, lock in double chance
- Tigers pump Bloods to claim minor premiership
- Laird masterminds big Redlegs upset
LEGS UNDER PRESSURE
Well, well, well hasn’t Central District thrown a cat among the pigeons with its upset of Norwood at The Parade on Friday night.
Instead of being in the hunt for a top three berth, the Redlegs face a battle for survival when they front West Adelaide at Richmond Oval on Friday night. They should win, but nothing is guaranteed.
If the Redlegs win as expected, Sturt fans will be nervous with the Double Blues needing to beat top side Glenelg at home to ensure finals action. A loss means they need to rely on South Adelaide being beaten by Adelaide at Noarlunga Oval.
The Panthers are a game and just .09 per cent behind the Double Blues after their big win over North Adelaide almost erased the two per cent deficit in the percentages.
There are now a couple of certainties for the finals after the weekend. The Tigers will finish top and have a rest in the first round of the finals and there will be an SANFL Showdown in the qualifying final.
SATISFIED LAIRD
Any win over the Redlegs has always given Bulldogs coach Roy Laird plenty of pleasure. Friday night’s victory was especially satisfying.
Laird coached from the boundary, something he has done three or four times each season for the past three years. In recent weeks he has been on the boundary because there are “so many newish players and a heap of young kids”.
“I like to given them one-on-one feedback quickly and speaking over the phone can be a bit distant,” Laird said. “You also get to see the intensity levels and get a feel for what is happening.”
Credit to the Redlegs, they honoured Laird on the big screen before the game. And their players, despite the disappointment of the loss, gave him a guard of honour after the contest. That showed great respect.
What about the latest innovation by the Redlegs, they had a drone flying over the game.
TIGER INJURIES
The Tigers have a decision to make on Carl Nicholson’s immediate future after he successfully negotiated his return to action in the reserves against West Adelaide on Saturday.
Tigers coach Mark Stone must decide whether to give him more time in the ressies or throw him into the senior side against Sturt at Unley Oval on Saturday and give him exposure to league football before the finals.
Nicholson was making his first appearance since round 6 after being struck down by an Achilles issue.
Tom Schott will have scans on his knee after being forced from the ground in the third quarter against the Bloods. But Cory Gregson, who copped a corking just above the knee early in the contest, should be cleared to play this week.
SERVED A SPOON
Has any SANFL team gone wooden spoon, premiership, wooden spoon?
That is the scenario facing the Roosters should it lose to Woodville-West Torrens at Prospect Oval on Saturday.
The Roosters earned the wooden spoon in 2017 when they had only four wins. The Bloods finished second bottom.
After claiming the SANFL crown last year, the Roosters are at the foot of the ladder with three wins and a draw. That is a win and draw more than the Bloods, but the minus two games start as penalty for the 19th man fiasco has them bottom.
The Roosters 2.8 (20) in shocking weather conditions at Noarlunga Oval on Sunday was their lowest score ever against the Panthers. Their previous lowest was 2.9 in round 13, 2015.
CRABBY WEEK
Last week, Panthers veteran Brad Crabb announced his decision to pull the pin on his career at the end of the season.
So the Noarlunga club has opted to use this week to celebrate his career, which includes 214 league appearances since coming over from Kangaroo Island and has announced it its Crabb Week. The club is encouraging the faithful to note their greatest Crabby moments.
Crabby is not noted for his flair on the field, being the old fashioned type full back. But the club does try to have some fun down Noarlunga way.
YOUNG BLOOD
Bloods youngster Riley Thilthorpe was the top-rated under-16 in the nation last year and he has made a huge impression in his five league games this season.
The 17-year must wait until the 2020 draft, but there will be plenty of interest from AFL clubs for the athletic big man.
Now add another young bloke who won’t be eligible for the draft until next year to the list of emerging stars.
Bulldogs’ Corey Durdin, a Golden Grove product, bagged three goals against the Redlegs in just his second game at senior level.
Durdin is skilful on both sides of his body, is explosive around the ball and very level headed.
In encouraging signs for the club’s future, there have been six players come through its development programs and make their league debut this season — Ryan Falkenberg, Rhett Montgomerie, Oliver Shaw, Mitch Payne, Ethan East and Durdin.
STONE COLD
Glenelg’s Elliott Chalmers has been playing with Morphettville Park in the Adelaide Footy League after being given a club-imposed suspension.
After appearing in the first 13 rounds, Chalmers has been made unavailable for selection for failing to meet the trademarks set by the playing group and the standards they want to be known for.
Coach Mark Stone introduced new standards when he joined the Tigers last year, wanting a more professional approach. While some players and support staff have not been able to adapt, the new culture established by Stone, and driven by the players, is obviously working.
RESULTS
Central District 13.16 (94) d Norwood 11.9 (75) at Norwood Oval.
Glenelg 17.17 (119) d West Adelaide 6/8 (44) at Glenelg Oval.
South Adelaide 15.9 (99) d North Adelaide 2.8 (20) at Noarlunga Oval.
Port Adelaide 6.13 (49) d Sturt 4.10 (34) at Unley Oval.
Eagles 5.10 (40) d Adelaide 4.8 (32) at Woodville Oval.
LADDER
GOALKICKERS
Liam McBean (Glenelg) 46
Luke Reynolds (Glenelg) 43
James Rowe (Eagles) 34
Troy Menzel (Central) 33
Josh Hone (Sturt) 31
Mark Evans (Sturt) 29
Lewis Hender (North) 28
Tyson Stengle (Adelaide) 28
DISPOSALS
Sam Colquhoun (Sturt) 487
Travis Schiller (Central) 482
Lewis Johnston (Norwood) 478
Kaine Stevens (West) 456
Luke Partington (Glenelg) 450
Jarred Allmond (Eagles) 439
Jarrod Schiller (Central) 438
MARKS
Chris Curran (Glenelg) 145
Brad McKenzie (Norwood) 137
Jack Stephens (Sturt) 135
Sam Colquhoun (Sturt) 134
Cam Shenton (Norwood) 132
Troy Menzel (Central) 126
Max Proud (Glenelg) 125
ON THE BANDWAGON
It wasn’t difficult getting my Panthers scarf out of the workbag at Noarlunga Oval on Sunday. Even the brass monkeys refused to turn up. For two days I had been wearing my Bulldogs’ jumper though.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
The Redlegs had so much to play for on Friday night, but did not handle the physical approach from the Bulldogs. They should beat the Bloods this week, but the performance is a worry with the finals looming.
RANKINGS
1: South Adelaide — the Panthers had plenty to play for and they went about their business in impressive fashion on Sunday. Eamon Wilkinson and Jesse McKinnon showed promising signs. In must be noted though, the Roosters just did not turn up.
2: Central District — there was little on the line apart from wanting to beat the Redlegs and their physical approach had the desired impact. The Bulldogs played with enthusiasm, method and a real passion for the club.
3: Glenelg — the Tigers were challenged by a competitive Bloods in the first half, before tearing the game apart. When they had to step up a gear, they did.
4: Eagles — another club with little on the line, only to attack the contest against the Crows with plenty of commitment. It was a good way to send off veteran Scott Lewis in his final home game.
5: Port Adelaide — dominated early and then withstood a strong comeback by the Double Blues. While Port has so many AFL players in the line-up it will always be a tough nut to crack.
6: Sturt — under the pump in the first quarter, but kept fighting and gave Port plenty of ponder in the second half.
7: Norwood — the Redlegs had to confront a Bulldogs side definitely up for the challenge. They got to the lead in the third quarter, but always looked under pressure.
8: Adelaide — started a hot favourite and tested in the conditions at Woodville Oval. Never far away from the Eagles.
9: West Adelaide — competitive in the first half, only to drop completely away. The Bloods were smashed in the clearances and were simply outworked and outplayed by the Tigers.
10: North Adelaide — the Roosters have an ordinary record at Noarlunga Oval, it was cold, windy and wet, and they just did not turn up.
THIS WEEK
Friday
West Adelaide v Norwood (city Mazda Stadium, Norwood, 7.20pm)
Saturday
North Adelaide v Eagles (Prospect Oval, 2.10pm)
Sturt v Glenelg (Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 2.10pm)
Central District v Port Adelaide (X Convenience Oval, Elizabeth, 2.10pm)
South Adelaide v Adelaide (Flinders University Oval, Noarlunga, 2.10pm)