Double Blues still to confirm side to face Eagles in SANFL qualifying final
WHO will front for Sturt in the qualifying final battle against Woodville-West Torrens is a mystery with a key forward still to have his status confirmed.
- Cotton wins longer deal at Norwood + finals teams
- Brooksby wants to get monkey off Panthers’ back
- Local footy’s best and worst behaved clubs
MYSTERY hangs over Sturt’s team to confront Woodville-West Torrens in the qualifying final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday with Jake Sutcliffe’s status still unknown.
The key forward missed the final round loss to Glenelg because of an ankle issue and is rated a 50-50 chance of fronting the Eagles.
While he trained well at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night, Sutcliffe has to negotiate Friday night’s session before being given the all clear to return to the side.
“Jake did all what was needed at training on Wednesday and had a spring in his step,” Double Blues football manager Chris Trapp said.
“Initially we thought the injury was worse than it is and he has put his hand up for selection a week earlier than we had expected. He is doing everything he can to get back.”
The Double Blues have already lost grunt in the midfield after Aidan Riley was ruled out due to a slight hamstring problem and gun defender Fraser Evans sidelined because of an ankle injury. Evans was wearing a moon boot to protect the ankle.
Midfielder John Greenslade also emerged from the Tigers contest with an ankle worry, but has been declared a starter and Jack Stephens, troubled by a corked thigh, will play after having a light training week.
North Adelaide expects captain Max Thring to lead the side against South Adelaide in the elimination final with his final obstacle to a return being training on Friday night.
Thring missed the final three rounds because of a calf injury and the captain pulled up a little sore after a challenging workout last Saturday morning. But he trained well on Wednesday night when the Roosters were put through match simulation exercises.
“Max is a big barometer for us and when we had our good run of form in the first half of the year he was leading from the front,” Roosters football manager Darryl Wintle said.
“He is very important to the team and how we go about it.”
The Roosters named a 22-man squad, adding Thring to the side which came from behind to beat Port Adelaide at Prospect Oval in the final round.
Central District utility Jacob Templeton has won the reserves Magarey Medal with 16 votes, one more than Eagles rover James Rowe. Sturt’s Ed Allan was placed third with 11.
Eagles midfielder Kai Pudney is the winner of the 2018 McCallum-Tomkins Medal for the under 18 competition with 23 votes. Norwood’s Kade Chandler and North Adelaide’s Bailey Coleman-Oakes finished with 20.