SANFL Round 13: Blues see red over Unley Oval criticism as Crows signal flag intent

Sturt has defended the state of Unley Oval after a rival coach labelled the surface “not up to league standard’’. Here are all the big talking points from SANFL Round 13.

Sturt has strongly defended the state of Unley Oval after it copped a whack from an angry South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright, who described the playing surface as “unsafe’’ and “not up to league standard’’.

Wright was furious after last Sunday’s 34-point loss to the Double Blues, saying three of his players – Matthew Broadbent, Ben Shillabeer and Liam Fitt – rolled their ankles “in the horrible ground that Unley is’’.

“We said before the game it’s unsafe to play on and it proved that way with the injuries that came out of it,’’ Wright said of the muddy oval.

“The ground is not up to league standard. I think there’s some work getting done to it at the end of the year by the council, but it’s unsafe to play.’’

Sturt chief executive Sue Dewing said that while Unley Oval’s surface had copped a hammering and been under duress through Adelaide’s wettest start to a winter in 36 years, the ground was certainly playable and no worse than a couple of other SANFL venues.

“We know the condition of the ground is not ideal at the moment, we acknowledge that, but that’s because of the 36-year rain record we’ve had,’’ she said.

“We have been working with our groundsmen to preserve the surface as much as possible but other SANFL grounds have also had issues because of the wet weather.

“He (Wright) walked the oval at the beginning of the game and didn’t bring anything to our attention and we didn’t get any injuries out of it and haven’t had too many this season.

Sturt’s Amos Doyle (right) contests the ruck against South Adelaide’s Keegan Brooksby near the muddy cricket pitch area at Unley Oval on Sunday. Picture: Ben Clark

“We’ve had a look at the vision and it appears it’s at the drier end of the ground where their injuries have been sustained.

“With the drier weather that’s been forecast this week we’re hoping things are on the improve.

“And at the end of the season it (the turf) is all going to get dug up anyway because it’s going to be resurfaced, with drainage and irrigation put in.’’

Sturt, which unveiled its state-of-the-art, $5 million Jack Oatey Grandstand redevelopment at the start of the season, has put its hand up to host AFL Gather Round games, with the upgraded turf supporting its case.

The Double Blues also stressed that they kicked their second highest score of the season at the ground on Sunday.

Their 17.5 (107) – to South’s 11.7 (73) – was just the third time the second-placed outfit had kicked more than 100 points in a game this year while their total was just one point shy of their best score of 16.12 (108) against Port Adelaide in round three.

The controversy at Unley overshadowed a defining round where the Crows signalled their flag intent by ending Glenelg’s 11-game winning streak and Port Adelaide continued its strong charge for a finals spot.

Here’s all you need to know from Round 13.

Central District forward Aiden Grace celebrates a goal against West Adelaide at Richmond Oval. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

A jubilant Nick Steele after kicking one of his four goals for West Adelaide against Central District on Saturday. David Mariuz/SANFL

ROUND 13 SCOREBOARD

Central District 13.14 (92) d West Adelaide 12.9 (81)

Adelaide 15.11 (101) d Glenelg 11.15 (81)

Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) d North Adelaide 6.17 (53)

Woodville-West Torrens 9.9 (63) d Norwood 7.10 (52)

Sturt 17.5 (107) d South Adelaide 11.7 (73)

POWER RANKINGS

1. Glenelg:

(11-2: Was brought back to earth with a thud by the Crows, who snapped their 11-game winning streak. Still very well positioned at the top of the table).

2. Adelaide:

(9-4: Made a strong premiership statement with a convincing win against the Tigers at the Bay. Looms large in the chase for its first SANFL flag).

3. Sturt:

(11-2: Produced its best performance for some time to kick 17 goals against South and join Glenelg on 11 wins. Has a top-three spot sewn up and remains in contention for the minor premiership).

4. Port Adelaide:

(7-6: Convincingly took North down at Alberton Oval and now owns the SANFL’s best current winning streak of three. After a slow start, has won seven of its past 10 games and is on track to play finals).

5. North Adelaide:

(6-7: Kicked itself out of the game against Port, managing a wobbly 6.17, but was outpointed when the whips were cracking).

6. Central District:

(6-7: Won on the road for the first time this season when it came from behind in the last quarter to beat West at Richmond Oval. Is right in the hunt for a first finals appearance since 2017).

7. Woodville-West Torrens:

(5-8: Came from behind in the final quarter to beat Norwood at home and keep its finals hopes alive. The hard-fought win snapped a four-game losing streak).

8. Norwood:

(3-10: The premier is much improved from early in the season but continues to lose close games. Must beat North at Prospect on Saturday to have any chance of playing finals).

9. South Adelaide:

(4-9: Well beaten by Sturt, despite having key players return from injury, and is quickly losing touch with the top five).

10. West Adelaide:

(3-10: Came from 26 points behind against Central to lead in the last quarter before suffering its seventh loss by 19 points or fewer this season, prompting coach Adam Hartlett to say: “There’s green shoots there but it would be nice to nail some of these close games’’).

Sturt’s four-goal star Josh Hone races towards goal against South Adelaide at Unley Oval. Picture: Ben Clark

NUMBERS GAME

(Top 12 Champion Data ranking points)

Harry Boyd (Norwood) 164

Elliott Himmelberg (Adelaide) 162

Mitch Harvey (North) 160

Hugh Jackson (Port) 159

Riley Bonner (Port) 157

Tom Lewis (Sturt) 150

Josh Hone (Sturt) 148

Harry Schoenberg (Adelaide) 142

Matt Crouch (Adelaide) 140

James Rowe (Eagles) 136

Lachlan Burrows (Sturt) 134

Cam Sutcliffe (Port) 132

THE STAT

112

Consecutive games played by North Adelaide ruckman Mitch Harvey – a new club record.

FLYING HIGH

Mark of the week

Dante Visentini (Port Adelaide)

The emerging Port ruckman showcased his athleticism by flying high over a pack to pull in a screamer in the third quarter of the game against North Adelaide at Alberton Oval.

SAY WHAT

Quotes of the week

“The Bays are a momentum type side and we knew we had to shut them down to be in with a chance. We know they will cut you up if you allow them. Our cohesion and connection was very good. We had a lot of good players, including the big fellows Kieran Strachan and Elliott Himmelberg, who kicked four goals and probably played his best game for us. You always get a consistent game from Kieran, he keeps fronting up and doing the job.’’

Adelaide coach Michael Godden

“Full credit to the Crows, we couldn’t match them early and they were much cleaner with their ball movement. We needed to execute better and couldn’t, but we will learn from it. You want to keep winning but this comp is so hard to do that. We will take a lot out of the game.’’

Glenelg coach Darren Reeves

“Defensively, we’d been good and keeping opposition to low scores, even though we hadn’t been winning by much. This week the offence fired and the forward line looked dangerous. We got our connection back going forward and we were able to kick some goals. With Glenelg losing to the Crows, it still gives us a chance for top spot, which is nice and gives us something to strive for. Our next goal is to get to that 13-win mark to finish top three and keep that gap ahead of Port, who are coming hard. If things continue to go our way, we’re still a chance to finish top later in the year.”

Sturt coach Martin Mattner

“I think we were on top of them early and they missed those shots at goal because we had good pressure. I felt in the second quarter they had the edge but we reset at halftime, honed in on what we thought was really important and got back to what we did well in the first quarter.”

Port Adelaide coach Tyson Goldsack

“We want to play a certain way and want players who are committed to the footy club to take us there. We have some good juniors and they are only going to get better if we keep playing them. We will have some ups and downs and this week was an up.”

Eagles coach Jade Sheedy

“We had complete dominance in the last quarter but weren’t able to convert and then we allowed them through, so it’s clearly frustrating”.

Norwood coach Jade Rawlings

“It was just nice to get the win and to win one away from home. West has been super all year and we knew at halftime that Adam (West coach Adam Hartlett), who has been amazing with his side this season, would rally them and they’ve always shown spirit, so it was always going to be a good second half. Wowee, it turned into an exciting second half and we couldn’t quell their momentum for a while in the third quarter but eventually we did and were just pleased to get another win.’’

Central District coach Paul Thomas

Star Bulldogs midfielder Harry Grant fires out a handpass against West Adelaide at Richmond Oval. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ROUND 13

BLOODS v BULLDOGS

Andrew Capel’s votes

3 – Ethan East (CD)

2 – Jez McLennan (CD)

1 – Jarrod Schiller (CD)

TIGERS v CROWS

Gordon Armstrong’s votes

3 – Harry Schoenberg (Adel)

2 – Matt Crouch (Adel)

1 – Jonty Scharenberg (Glen)

MAGPIES v ROOSTERS

Luke Marchioro’s votes

3 – Riley Bonner (PA)

2 – Hugh Jackson (PA)

1 – Mitch Harvey (NA)

EAGLES v REDLEGS

Warren Partland’s votes

3 – James Rowe (WWT)

2 – Nik Rokahr (Norw)

1 – Zac Buck (WWT)

DOUBLE BLUES v PANTHERS

Steve Barrett’s votes

3 – Tom Lewis (Sturt)

2 – Connor McFadyen (Sturt)

1 – Lachlan Burrows (Sturt)

Adelaide’s Luke Nankervis takes a strong mark in his side’s statement-making win against Glenelg at the Bay. Picture: Cory Sutton

LEADERBOARD

17 – Harry Schoenberg (Adel)

14 – Tom Lewis (Sturt)

13 – Liam McBean (Glen)

12 – James Battersby (Sturt)

11 – Matthew Allen (Glen)

11 – James Rowe (WWT)

10 – Jackson Hately (Adel)

9 – Harry Grant (CD)

9 – Patrick Wilson (Sturt)

9 – Campbell Combe (NA)

9 – Nik Rokahr (Norw)

8 – Mitch O’Neill (SA)

8 – Jez McLennan (CD)

7 – Matt Crouch (Adel)

7 – Mitch Hardie (WWT)

7 – Luke Partington (Glen)

7 – Callum Park (WA)

7 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)

7 – Keegan Brooksby (SA)

7 – Jackson Mead (PA)

6 – Cam McGree (Glen)

6 – Quinton Narkle (PA)

6 – Casey Voss (Sturt)

6 – Harry Boyd (Nor)

6 – Harrison Wigg (NA)

6 – Joseph Sinor (WWT)

6 – Corey Lyons (Glen)

6 – Jarrod Schiller (CD)

6 – Hugh Jackson (PA)

5 – Alex Spina (NA)

5 – Nick Moore (PA)

5 – Sam Berry (Adel)

SHARPSHOOTERS

Leading goalkickers

39 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)

36 – Liam McBean (Glen)

29 – Josh Hone (Sturt)

26 – Luke Reynolds (Glen)

23 – Zach Sproule (SA)

22 – Lachlan Burrows (Sturt)

21 – Lachlan Gollant (Adel)

20 – Connor Ballenden (WWT)

20 – Tariek Newchurch (Adel)

20 – Liam Delahunty (WA)

UP NEXT

Round 14

Glenelg v West Adelaide (Stratarama Stadium), Sat, July 22, 2.10pm

North Adelaide v Norwood (Prospect Oval), Sat, July 22, 2.10pm

Central District v South Adelaide (X Convenience Oval), Sat, July 22, 2.10pm

Port Adelaide v Sturt (Alberton Oval), Sun, July 23, 1.10pm

Woodville-West Torrens v Adelaide (Maughan Thiem Kia Oval), Sun, July 23, 2.10pm