Eagles vs Tigers in 2021 SANFL grand final: Match preview
It’s been a mighty season of SANFL footy but it all comes down to today’s grand final between the Eagles and Glenelg. Here’s a full preview and the final teams.
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There were times this year when Billy Stretch’s season appeared over after just one game.
A first half tackle in the round one clash against West Adelaide at the Bay threatened to end the speedy Glenelg wingman’s year before he had really got going.
“It was meant to be a 10-to-12 week injury,’’ Stretch said of the ankle syndesmosis injury, which required surgery, and small bone fracture at the back of the ankle, he suffered when he was tackled and dumped into the turf.
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“But I got to the eight-week mark and it started to flare up again. I kept getting pushed back and back with my recovery and whenever I tried to ramp up training the ankle wouldn’t respond that well.
“It got to the point where I had a couple of cortisone injections and wasn’t seeing much improvement or getting through much training.
“It was looking a bit dark there and, to be honest, I wasn’t too confident I would get back to play footy again this year, that’s where my head was at.’’
2021 SANFL GRAND FINAL TEAMS
At that point, coach Brett Hand pulled Stretch aside at training and told him that he wanted him to keep pushing ahead with his rehabilitation, even if it meant returning only for the reserves finals.
“Billy had a really nasty ankle injury and so many setbacks with it that seven weeks ago he wasn’t even training and I said, ‘mate, I don’t care if you manage to play at only 70 per cent (capacity), I want you to continue to try to get yourself right just so you can play some footy by the end of the year, which he deserved for all his hard work,’’ Hand said.
“He turned around after that conversation and said to our rehab guy Daniel Buberis, ‘I’m going to prove him wrong’.’’
Stretch has done just that.
With the benefit of having the SANFL season extended by two weeks following a Covid shutdown in July, former Demon Stretch not only got back on the field, he will play in Sunday’s league grand final against the Eagles at Adelaide Oval.
Stretch said he turned the fitness corner four months after his surgery and, with the extra two weeks of training he was able to have after the competition was temporarily shut down, he made his comeback in the second half of the reserves clash against Central District at the Bay in round 17.
Stretch had a modest seven disposals but, most importantly, pulled up well.
In the next game against West Adelaide, Stretch had 21 possessions in four quarters and was promoted to the league side for the final minor round clash against Port Adelaide, holding his spot for the finals against the Eagles and South Adelaide.
He had his best game of the season in last week’s preliminary final win against the Panthers, kicking two crucial goals from the wing, having 12 disposals and laying six tackles.
“I was pretty lucky the season was extended by a couple of weeks because it’s given me the chance to get back in the league side,’’ Stretch said.
“It’s really exciting because when I came back to Glenelg (from AFL club Melbourne at the end of 2019) my primary aim was to just enjoy my footy again and with such a great bunch of players at Glenelg I’ve been able to find that love of the game again.
“I’m now very, very hungry to get a premiership and really confident with the squad we have.’’
Stretch, 25, started his junior career at the Eagles before joining Glenelg and being drafted by the Demons as a father-son selection in 2014.
His dad, Steven, played 60 games for West Torrens from 1982-85 before joining Melbourne and playing 164 games in eight years for the club, including the 1988 grand final loss to Hawthorn.
A best and fairest winner with the Dees in 1987, he finished his career at Fitzroy.
Billy, who played 47 games for Melbourne from 2015-19, said the family got great satisfaction from the club last week breaking its 57-year flag drought.
“It was quite special because obviously me and dad played there and I still have some really good mates at the club,’’ he said.
“I’m really close with Alex Neal-Bullen, another Glenelg junior, and I spoke to him (on Facetime) a couple of hours after the game, while Christian Salem, Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw and Charlie Spargo are among other guys I keep in touch with regularly.’’
Now the Stretch family is hoping for a double celebration.
Menzel brothers soar high for Eagles
Daniel and Troy Menzel knew what was coming.
When they made the controversial “head over heart’’ decision to leave the SANFL club they had been drafted from, Central District, to join rival Woodville-West Torrens this season, they understood it wasn’t going to be all plain sailing and that they’d cop their fair share of criticism, particularly from angry Bulldogs supporters.
It came thick and fast.
“They copped a hard time from the outside early on,’’ Eagles coach Jade Sheedy said.
“They were both Central kids and it was a hard decision for them to leave. Talk of them not being loyal and all that was bandied about but we wrapped our arms around them and they have really thrived in our environment.
“They wanted a new direction and we were able to provide them with that and they have been great recruits on and off the field. Most importantly, they are good people.’’
Less than a year after the Menzels played their only game as teammates for the Bulldogs, the pair packed their bags and moved to the reigning premier for on and off field opportunities.
Classy forward Daniel, who kicked 143 goals in 80 AFL games during 10 injury-plagued seasons, which included four knee reconstructions, for Geelong and Sydney from 2010-19, said the pair were prepared for the “feedback’’ that came their way and weren't fazed by it.
“We were always going to cop some flak once we decided to leave Central and we certainly got some feedback from over the fence,’’ he said.
“But it was all in good fun and I love fans and how parochial they are, I think that’s one of the best things about sport, that passion that diehard supporters bring.
“I completely understand that supporters only see it through their lens, which is completely fine.
“But in reality there were a lot of other things that were playing out and that’s where the decision was made and obviously we’re pretty happy with it going into this weekend.’’
Daniel, 30, will play in his first senior grand final against Glenelg at Adelaide Oval on Sunday after missing the Cats’ 2011 flag through injury.
After joining the Eagles for off-field opportunities provided by board member David Couzner, who runs a recruitment agency, and the lure of a first flag after Central finished second bottom in 2020, Daniel enjoyed a standout season which saw him make The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.
He played only one game last season – in round one – after breaking his foot.
This year he has played 18 of a possible 20, kicking 40 goals, including four in the Eagles’ thrilling four-point second semi-final win against the Tigers.
“The biggest challenge with making the move was the decision because it was very much a head versus heart type thing,’’ Daniel said, adding the closely-knit pair were always going to stay or go together.
“Off-field was probably the biggest part of the decision, looking at opportunities, pathways, contacts, networks, all these sort of things, and we certainly gave Central ample time to be able to come to the party and put their case forward as to where we were heading and what opportunities could potentially come.
“For me, being out of the AFL system only a year earlier, I wanted a bit of a framework about where I could be in five years time and that’s where the Eagles were far superior and very quick in working with me and Troy on that.’’
Daniel is studying for a masters degree in business administration and undertaking some consultancy and media work.
Troy, 27, who played 44 AFL games and kicked 51 goals for Carlton and Adelaide from 2013-17, is working as a landscaper while planning to be involved in school sport.
The forward/midfielder said the “banter’’ he had copped from Bulldogs and other supporters hadn't bothered him.
“Players always get that when they change clubs and outside noise has never really bothered me,’’ Troy said.
“I’ve loved my time at the Eagles and while I missed a few games with a broken wrist I feel I’ve made a solid contribution to the team and hopefully can do that again in the grand final.’’
On field, the pair, who waited so long to play regular football together after their journeys took them in different directions, have formed a dynamic combination, having an almost telepathic understanding.
“We cop some feedback from some of our teammates sometimes that we pass the ball to each other too much, but that’s brothers,’’ said Daniel, noting he had played more than 80 per cent of games in a season for only the third time in the past 11 years.
“It’s been nice to play together for a change and it’s something we don't take for granted. To play in a grand final with Troy will be pretty special.’’
Troy, who played in an Adelaide Footy League division one premiership with Tea Tree Gully in 2018, said the pair instinctively knew where each other was in the forward line.
“We read the game very similarly, so we understand where each other is going to be and where we want the ball, which definitely helps,’’ he said.
Stengle on track to play
Woodville-West Torrens is adamant star small forward Tyson Stengle will play in Sunday’s SANFL grand final against Glenelg.
Former Crow Stengle, who has kicked 41 goals this season, was restricted to light duties at training last week because of hamstring soreness as the reigning premier enjoyed the week’s break.
But scans have cleared the dynamic matchwinner of any muscle damage and chief executive Luke Powell on Thursday night said he would definitely line up in Sunday’s clash as the Eagles close in on consecutive flags for the first time in their history.
Premiership coach Jade Sheedy said Stengle, who played 16 AFL games in four seasons for Richmond and Adelaide before being cut by the Crows this year following three off-field indiscretions in eight months, had pulled up sore after kicking the winning goal in the four-point second semi-final win against the Tigers a fortnight ago.
“He just had some real tightness in his hamstring,’’ Sheedy said.
“It felt like a little strain, so we had it scanned, but there was nothing there.
“He had the week off, just doing some light running on the sidelines last week, as we tried to get him right.’’
Stengle has kicked six goals in the Eagles’ two finals wins this season.
Sheedy was forced into making one change to his winning second semi line-up, with dual premiership utility Matthew Goldsworthy already ruled out with hamstring tendon damage.
Defender Rory Lehmann, returning from his own hamstring injury, Mitch Hardie, Dane McFarlane and Jake Von Bertouch have been added to an extended 25-man squad on Thursday night.
Glenelg has named the same 22 that beat South Adelaide in last Friday night’s preliminary final, while adding Will Chandler, who missed the game through concussion, and 2019 premiership players Brad McCarthy and Jonty Scharenberg to its extended squad of 25.
Tigers coach Brett Hand said 2019 Magarey Medallist Luke Partington, who made his comeback from a six-week hamstring injury against the Panthers, pulled up well and would be better for the run.
Partington, who gives the Tigers’ midfield an injection of class and explosiveness, had 19 disposals, four clearances and kicked a goal against South.
GOLDSWORTY RULED OUT WITH HAMSTRING
Woodville-West Torrens has been dealt a cruel SANFL grand final blow, with star veteran Matthew Goldsworthy ruled out of Sunday’s clash against Glenelg through injury.
Scans have revealed the dual premiership utility’s hamstring injury is serious, with tendon damage keeping him on ice for 10 weeks.
The 30-year-old hurt his hamstring in the Eagles’ thrilling, four-point second semi-final win against the Tigers and while the club had hoped that the damage might be minor, it is worse than first feared.
“He won’t play,’’ Eagles coach Jade Sheedy said of his classy playmaker.
“He ruptured the tendon in his hamstring and it’s a 10-week injury, so it’s very disappointing.’’
Sheedy said Goldsworthy was a top-five player at the club and “probably the smartest footballer I’ve coached’’.
“Goldy is an important part of our team and sees the game really well,’’ Sheedy said.
“He’s really dynamic for us, he can play through the midfield or forward for us, so he’s going to be hard to replace.’’
Sheedy said tall defender Rory Lehmann, who missed the second semi with a slight hamstring strain, was fit and would be Goldsworthy’s logical replacement while Mitch Hardie, recruited from Canberra, would also come under consideration after strong form in the reserves.
“Hardie is playing some really good footy and has played a lot of good State League footy before and Lehmann gives us some real genuine height with Glenelg’s forwards, so there is a couple there we will consider,’’ he said.
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Sheedy is trying to steer the Eagles to consecutive premierships for the first time, following their 2020 grand final trouncing of North Adelaide.
He has done a superb job in getting the club back to the grand final after it lost eight members of last year’s premiership team, which was raided by AFL clubs.
“We always want to get better each year and I think the footy club has done a really good job
of recruiting what we lost,’’ Sheedy said.
“It’s been pretty well publicised, and I’m not here to make excuses, but we did lose eight premiership players, so it’s a really good show of strength from our footy club to be able to get back here and give ourselves a chance to compete.
“Although we want to keep blooding juniors, and that’s our philosophy as a footy club, we understand that we want to be the best we can be every year as well and that means blooding juniors and also getting some top-end recruits in to replace what we lost.
“That’s how we tried to stay in the fight and I think our footy club has done a really good job of that to give ourselves an opportunity to play Glenelg this week.
“Going back-to-back is not our focus, our focus is to win a premiership, and if we do that on Sunday it means we go back-to-back, which would be great.’’
Sheedy, who last week signed a three-year contract extension tying him to the club until the end of 2025, said the Eagles were not expecting any retirements after the grand final, revealing Magarey Medallist James Tsitas and former Crow Riley Knight had already signed on for next year.
TIGERS BOSS SEEKS FOUR QUARTER EFFORT
Glenelg coach Brett Hand is hoping the Tigers have saved their best until last.
While the club went within one victory of producing the SANFL’s first unbeaten home-and-away season in 107 years, winning 17 straight games before losing in the last round to Port Adelaide, Hand lamented the fact that it had rarely strung four good quarters together.
“I’d love the team to bring it for four quarters this week,’’ said Hand, a former GWS development coach who has posted a remarkable 18-2 win-loss record in his first season at Brighton Road.
“There has been some frustration with that at times but there is also a great belief that our good is good enough.
“I’ve changed the game plan quite a bit from what it was in the past couple of years and there is still lapses in concentration when they go back to old ways.
“That will continue to evolve over the next year or so but where we are at and the style of football we’re playing is pretty much what I’m after.
“I’m very confident that everyone knows their role and what they’ve got to do but they’ve got to do it for the whole time.’’
Glenelg’s 17-game winning streak featured five final quarter comebacks.
In the second semi-final loss to grand final opponent Woodville-West Torrens, the Tigers trailed by 29 points at the last change before rallying to hit the front at the 19-minute mark of the final quarter following a Luke Reynolds goal.
But former Crow Tyson Stengle had the last word, bobbing up to snap a brilliant goal three minutes later to seal a thrilling four-point win for Jade Sheedy’s side.
“We were disappointed with what happened in the semi-final because we didn’t play our game for the whole game,’’ Hand said.
“We started well and finished well but there were lapses in the second and third quarters which just allowed the Eagles to get momentum back and take control of the game.
“We can’t afford to have those lapses in big games and against a quality outfit like the Eagles they make you pay.
“I’ve been trying to look at how we can arrest that to make sure it doesn’t happen within games and that’s up to the leaders on and off field to control and make sure we are making the right decisions in those times.’’
Unlike the Eagles, Hand will not be forced into making changes to his line-up which beat South Adelaide by 28 points in the preliminary final after reporting no new injuries from the knockout final.
But he did not rule out making selection moves.
“We had match committee on Tuesday night and a good discussion and we’ll have our final training session on Thursday night when we’ll finalise the team,’’ Hand said.
“As I’ve said all along, we’ll look at the team we’re playing and how best we match up against them.’’
Hand confirmed 2019 premiership player Marlon Motlop would retire from the SANFL after the grand final.
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