SANFL Round 4: Roosters roll as Combe makes medal move, Legs’ slump continues

Who’s hot, who’s not, player votes and all you need to know from Round 4. SANFL Insider takes you behind the scenes of Australia’s best state league competition.

Sturt unbeaten, Norwood winless, Crows fire and Central District looms as a surprise contender as Rooster makes his medal move.

Here’s what you need to know about an action-packed round 4 in the SANFL.

Rooster Karl Finlay flies high over the pack to take a screamer against Woodville-West Torrens. Picture: SANFL/David Mariuz.

Eagles forward Clay Cameron takes a strong mark against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval. Picture: SANFL/David Mariuz.

ROUND 4 SCOREBOARD

Sturt 9.9 (63) d Central District 9.6 (60)

Adelaide 19.20 (134) d South Adelaide 7.8 (50)

North Adelaide 10.10 (70) d Woodville-West Torrens 7.12 (54)

Port Adelaide 12.13 (85) d West Adelaide 10.8 (68)

Glenelg 12.10 (82) d Norwood 7.10 (52)

POWER RANKINGS

1. Sturt:

(4-0: Had to fight tooth and nail to shake off a gritty and well-drilled Central to maintain its unbeaten start to the season. As coach Martin Mattner said, good sides ‘find a different way to win’’.

2. Adelaide:

(3-1: Talk about making a statement. The Crows thrashed a team considered a genuine premiership contender (South) by 84 points while having 24 more scoring shots.

3. North Adelaide:

(3-1: Last year’s beaten grand finalist is building nicely and was thrilled with star recruit Sam Mayes’ first game in red and white since 2012 following his return from a broken hand).

4. Glenelg:

(3-1: Three wins in a row for the Tigers and the players are adjusting well to new coach Darren Reeves’ game plan, which involves more forward pressure and restricting the opposition's run out of defence).

5. Central District:

(2-2: Great start to the season for the Dogs, who would have been disappointed to lose to Sturt after leading for most of the game but now know they can match it with the best. One of the early season surprise packets).

6. South Adelaide:

(2-2: Faces a huge game against Glenelg at Noarlunga on Saturday after disappointing back-to-back losses to West and the Crows, including getting blown out of the water at Adelaide Oval).

7. Woodville-West Torrens:

(1-3: Win-loss record is poor but the Eagles, who have been hit by injuries to key players, have been in every game and will soon turn things around. Play their first home game of the season against ladder leader Sturt this week).

8. Port Adelaide:

(1-3: Overcame some first half injuries to hold against West and record its first win of the season. Is paying the price for playing so many tall developing players but would have been encouraged by key forward Tom Scully’s four-goal haul against his former club).

9. West Adelaide:

(1-3: Disappointing performance against Port at Loxton – where it missed star forward Jono Beech – after a strong win against South. Has certainly improved its defensive rating this season).

10. Norwood:

(0-4: The reigning premier showed improvement against the Tigers but at 0-4 faces a tough task just to make the finals nevertheless defend its flag).

Port Adelaide players celebrate winning the Russell Ebert Tribute Match against West Adelaide at Loxton Oval. Picture: SANFL/Peter Argent.

NUMBERS GAME

(Top 12 Champion Data ranking points)

Tom Lewis (Sturt) 158

James Battersby (Sturt) 157

Corey Lyons (Glenelg) 155

Jez McLennan (Central) 149

Campbell Combe (North) 146

Harry Boyd (Norwood) 141

Callum Park (West) 140

Casey Voss (Sturt) 139

Keenan Ramsey (North) 136

Patrick Wilson (Sturt) 136

Kieran Strachan (Adelaide) 132

Tom Morrish (West) 130

THE STAT

14

Clearances by hard-as-nails Sturt on-baller Tom Lewis in the thrilling come-from-behind win against Central at Unley Oval.

Eagle James Rowe breaks clear against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval. Picture: SANFL/David Mariuz.

FLYING HIGH

Mark of the week

Josh Sinn (Port Adelaide)

Port’s 2021 first-round draft pick Josh Sinn showcased his class and athleticism to haul in a

screamer for the Magpies against West Adelaide in the third quarter of the Russell Ebert Tribute Match at Loxton.

SAY WHAT

Quotes of the week

“If you watched that spectacle, you got your money’s worth. We certainly had our chances and we will go home and reflect that we are not far off a good footy team, a really good footy team like Sturt.’’

Central coach Paul Thomas.

“The heart the players showed was really special. We were down two players (Scott Lycett and Jake Pasini) but everyone did their bit – it was a game I haven’t seen this group produce for a while.’’

Port coach Tyson Goldsack.

“We played a brand of footy that we can be proud of. I was happy with the whole game. I didn’t see anything that was selfish.’’

Adelaide coach Michael Godden.

“When you don't have enough contributors it can get pretty ugly – and it got pretty ugly. As a collective group, we’re hurting on our effort. It was one of those days – but it’s been one of those days two weeks in a row.”

South coach Jarrad Wright.

“Our best footy is still ahead of us. We haven’t played redeemable footy in the first four weeks but this week looked more like Norwood.”

Norwood coach Jade Rawlings.

Port Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett leaps high against West Adelaide at Loxton Oval. Picture: SANFL/Peter Argent.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ROUND 3

BULLDOGS v CROWS

Luke Marchioro’s votes

3 – Harry Grant (CD)

2 – Jarrod Schiller (CD)

1 – Harry Schoenberg (Adel)

BLOODS v PANTHERS

Warren Partland’s votes

3 – Luke Redfern (WA)

2 – Callum Park (WA)

1 – Bryce Gibbs (SA)

DOUBLE BLUES v MAGPIES

Gordon Armstrong’s votes

3 – Patrick Wilson (Sturt)

2 – Martin Frederick (Sturt)

1 – Trent Dumont (PA)

TIGERS v EAGLES

Andrew Capel’s votes

3 – Luke Partington (Glen)

2 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)

1 – Mitch Hardie (WWT)

REDLEGS v ROOSTERS

Andrew Capel’s votes

3 – Noah Casalini (NA)

2 – Harrison Wigg (NA)

1 – Campbell Combe (NA)

ROUND 4

DOUBLE BLUES v BULLDOGS

Warren Partland’s votes

3 – Tom Lewis (Sturt)

2 – Jez McLennan (CD)

1 – James Battersby (Sturt)

PANTHERS v CROWS

Steve Barrett’s votes

3 – Jackson Hately (Adel)

2 – Sam Berry (Adel)

1 – Ned McHenry (Adel)

ROOSTERS v EAGLES

Andrew Capel’s votes

3 – Campbell Combe (NA)

2 – Keenan Ramsey (NA)

1 – Riley Knight (WWT)

BLOODS v MAGPIES

Gordon Armstrong’s votes

3 – Trent Dumont (PA)

2 – Callum Park (WA)

1 – Hugh Jackson (PA)

TIGERS v REDLEGS

Luke Marchioro’s votes

3 – Corey Lyons (Glen)

2 – Liam McBean (Glen)

1 – Nik Rokahr (Norw)

LEADERBOARD

7 – Campbell Combe (NA)

7 – Mitch Hardie (WWT)

6 – Patrick Wilson (Sturt)

6 – Jackson Hately (Adel)

5 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)

5 – Tom Lewis (Sturt)

5 – Jez McLennan (CD)

4 – Harry Schoenberg (Adel)

4 – Harrison Wigg (NA)

4 – Callum Park (WA)

3 – Trent Dumont (PA)

3 – Sam Skinner (SA)

3 – Steven Slimming (Sturt)

3 – James Rowe (WWT)

3 – Harry Grant (CD)

3 – Noah Casalini (NA)

3 – Luke Redfern (WA)

3 – Corey Lyons (Glen)

3 – James Battersby (Sturt)

Sturt defender Connor McFadyen sends the Double Blues forward in their thrilling three-point win against Central District. Picture: Ben Clark.

SHARPSHOOTERS

(Leading goalkickers)

14 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)

12 – Zach Sproule (SA)

10 – Tariek Newchurch (Adel)

10 – Keenan Ramsey (NA)

10 – Liam Delahunty (WA)

9 – Noah Casalini (NA)

9 – Josh Gore (WA)

8 – Jono Beech (WA)

8 – Josh Hone (Sturt)

8 – Patrick Wilson (Sturt)

UP NEXT

(Round 5 games)

Central v West (X Convenience Oval), Sat, May 6, 2.10pm

North v Adelaide (Prospect Oval), Sat, May 6, 2.10pm

South v Glenelg (Flinders University Stadium), Sat, May 6, 2.10pm

Port v Norwood (Alberton Oval), Sat, May 6, 2.30pm

Eagles v Sturt (Woodville Oval), Sat, May 6, 4.40pm