SANFL Round 2: Double Blues on fire, Hardie makes medal move, stats that matter

Who’s hot, who’s not, player of year votes and all you need to know from Round 2. The Advertiser’s SANFL Insider takes you behind the scenes of Australia’s best state league competition.

Sturt, South Adelaide and Central District made statements as an Eagles surprise packet grabbed the early lead in The Advertiser SANFL player of the year voting.

Here’s all you need to know about an action-packed round 2.

Central District’s Mani Liddy handballs under pressure from North Adelaide’s Frank Szekely at Elizabeth Oval on Friday. Picture: SANFL Image/David Mariuz.

South Adelaide’s Matthew Broadbent, playing his 100th SANFL game, spoils the marking attempt of Eagle Max Beattie at Noarlunga Oval. Picture: Matt Loxton

ROUND 2 SCOREBOARD

Sturt 16.10 (106) d Norwood 8.5 (53)

Adelaide 13.15 (93) d West Adelaide 9.6 (60)

Central District 9.13 (67) d North Adelaide 5.10 (40)

South Adelaide 9.2 (56) d Woodville-West Torrens 6.9 (45)

Glenelg 10.10 (70) d Port Adelaide 7.11 (53)

POWER RANKINGS

1. Sturt

(2-0: Looks the real deal after thumping reigning premier Norwood at The Parade. The stunning victory followed an impressive round one triumph against Glenelg).

2. South Adelaide:

(2-0: Overcame an early three-goal deficit to grind out a tough win against fellow finals contender Woodville-West Torrens. After two home wins, it now needs to prove it can win on the road).

3. Adelaide:

(2-0: Was made to fight hard for its win against West but its class showed in the second half. Few injuries at AFL level spells danger for its SANFL rivals).

4. Woodville-West Torrens:

(1-1: A tough loss at Noarlunga after paying a price for some errant goalkicking but has some key reinforcements coming, including reigning Ken Farmer Medallist Daniel Menzel and club champion Riley Knight).

5. North Adelaide:

(1-1: Slow start to the season for one of the flag favourites, with coach Jacob Surjan admitting his side didn’t match Central’s “intent and aggression like we normally would’’ in a shock loss at Elizabeth).

6. Glenelg:

(1-1: Had to dig deep to fight off a committed Port Adelaide team at the Bay after exciting forward Lachie Hosie had kicked five goals seven minutes into the second term).

7. Central District:

(1-1: Good signs for the Bulldogs, who shockingly upset the Roosters on the back of a super impressive five goals to nil first quarter. Key off-season recruits are already making an impact).

8. Norwood:

(0-2: Alarm bells are already ringing for the reigning premier, which has lost its first two games, both at home, albeit to good opponents. “We are not playing well,’’ coach Jade Rawlings conceded).

9. West Adelaide:

(0-2: Last year’s wooden spooner remains winless after two games but has shown some good traits under new coach Adam Hartlett, being competitive against top sides Adelaide and North Adelaide).

10. Port Adelaide:

(0-2: Battled hard against Glenelg at the Bay before being overpowered late. Might be paying a price for fielding a lot of young, developing talls).

Sturt’s Lachlan Burrows (middle) fights for the ball against Norwood’s Jack Heard (left) and Matthew Ling in the Double Blues’ impressive victory at The Parade. Picture: Matt Loxton

NUMBERS GAME

(Top 12 Champion Data ranking points)

Mitch Hardie (Eagles) 178

Kieran Strachan (Adelaide) 171

Jackson Hately (Adelaide) 168

Tom Lewis (Sturt) 165

Joel Stevens (West) 150

Keegan Brooksby (South) 149

Joseph Sinor (Eagles) 149

Justin Hoskin (Central) 146

Billy Iles (Central) 142

Jez McLennan (Central) 138

James Rowe (Eagles) 137

Matt Crouch (Adelaide) 137

THE STAT

16

Tackles by tough Sturt midfielder Tom Lewis in the Double Blues’ powerful 53-point demolition of reigning premier Norwood.

Sturt’s Tom Lewis is tackled by Norwood’s Nik Rokahr at The Parade. Picture: Matt Loxton.

FLYING HIGH

Mark of the week

Karl Finlay (North Adelaide)

The Roosters defender provided one of the few highlights for his team in its shock 27-point loss to Central District at Elizabeth Oval, flying high over a pack of players to take a screamer in the final quarter.

SAY WHAT

Quotes of the week

“Apart from 10 minutes in the second quarter and five minutes in the third, we controlled the game and played the way we wanted. It has taken a while to get to this point and there is a lot of trust in the group.’’

Sturt coach Martin Mattner.

“We are not playing well, fundamentally that is the issue. There are not too many redeeming features about the way we are playing.”

Norwood coach Jade Rawlings.

“We had a good review (after round one) and that (against North) was some of the football we know we are capable of playing.’’

Central District coach Paul Thomas.

“I am really getting a bit sick of hearing how talented this team was, I don’t want to hear that anymore. I want to hear about how this team is being tough and committed.’’

Glenelg coach Darren Reeves.

“Our supporters and members have been through so much in the past few years but I honestly feel like what we’re doing Monday-to-Friday is going to hold us in good stead going forward. Their (the Crows) more experienced mids got to work, especially in the second half, but I’m sure our guys will learn from the time they spent playing on quality guys like the Adelaide midfielders.”

West Adelaide coach Adam Hartlett.

Central District coach Paul Thomas addresses his charges against North Adelaide. Picture: SANFL Image/David Mariuz.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

REDLEGS v DOUBLE BLUES

Warren Partland’s votes

3 - Steven Slimming (Sturt)

2 - Tom Lewis (Sturt)

1 - James Mathews (Sturt)

BLOODS v CROWS

Steve Barrett’s votes

3 - Jackson Hately (Adel)

2 - Kieran Strachan (Adel)

1 - Matt Crouch (Adel)

BULLDOGS v ROOSTERS

Luke Marchioro’s votes

3 - Jez McLennan (CD)

2 - Mani Liddy (CD)

1 - Justin Hoskin (CD)

PANTHERS v EAGLES

Andrew Capel’s votes

3 - Mitch Hardie (WWT)

2 - Mitch O’Neill (SA)

1 - James Rowe (WWT)

TIGERS v MAGPIES

Gordon Armstrong’s votes

3 - Lachie Hosie (Glen)

2 - Max Proud (Glen)

1 - Riley Bonner (PA)

LEADERBOARD

6 – Mitch Hardie (WWT)

3 – Campbell Combe (NA)

3 – Sam Skinner (SA)

3 – Patrick Wilson (Sturt)

3 – Harry Schoenberg (Adel)

3 - Steven Slimming (Sturt)

3 - Jackson Hately (Adel)

3 - Jez McLennan (CD)

3 – James Rowe (WWT)

3 - Lachie Hosie (Glen)

2 - Tom Lewis (Sturt)

2 – Harrison Wigg (NA)

2 – Mitch O’Neill (SA)

2 – James Battersby (Sturt)

2 – Tariek Newchurch (Adel)

2 - Kieran Strachan (Adel)

2 - Mani Liddy (CD)

2 - Mitch O’Neill (SA)

2 - Max Proud (Glen)

Rooster Frank Szekely is collared by Bulldogs opponent Marcus Barreau at Elizabeth. Picture: SANFL Image/David Mariuz.

SHARPSHOOTERS

(Leading goalkickers)

7 - Lachie Hosie (Glen)

6 – Tariek Newchurch (Adel)

6 – Zach Sproule (SA)

5 – Josh Hone (Sturt)

5 - Steven Slimming (Sturt)

5 - Keenan Ramsey (NA)

5 - Zane Williams (WWT)

4 - Josh Gore (WA)

4 - Patrick Wilson (Sturt)

4 - Damon Freitag (SA)

UP NEXT

(Round 3 games)

Central v Adelaide (X Convenience Oval), Sat, April 22, 1.10pm

West v South (Hisense Stadium), Sun, April 23, 2.10pm

Sturt v Port (Wigan Oval), Sun, April 23, 2.10pm

Glenelg v Eagles (Stratarama Stadium), Mon, April 24, 7.40pm

Norwood v North (Norwood Oval), Tues, April 25, 2.10pm