Glenelg making a statement in its quest to end SANFL premiership drought
The SANFL season is nine rounds old and the clubs are starting to sort themselves out on the ladder. Can Glenelg finally break its premiership drought?
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The headline read “Tigers to roar, finally” in The Advertiser season preview liftout.
Coming off six successive wins to finish the 2018 season and maturing significantly under Mark Stone in his first season as coach, Glenelg entered this year high on optimism and confidence.
So to have the Tigers announce itself as a serious contender in the first half of the season comes as little surprise, especially with Liam McBean and under rated Brad Agnew returning after missing last year, and the addition of Luke Partington and Cory Gregson.
How the Tigers have gone about their business has been ultra impressive. They have not been beaten since the narrow loss to Norwood at The Parade in the opening round and sit at the top of the ladder.
Maybe it should have been two losses, recording a draw with South Adelaide in round 3 when the Panthers coughed up a huge final-quarter lead. Then again, the Tigers did miss some cosy shots at goal late in the game.
What has also been refreshing with the Tigers has been their attitude. Their most recent flag was 33 years ago and they haven’t even appeared in the finals since 2011.
But they have embraced the escalating expectation at the Bay, rather than dodge and weave and pretend it is not there.
There is no surprise attached to Adelaide’s rise to second on the table, albeit only percentage behind the Tigers, given the quality of its line-up and the abundance of AFL talent due to the Crows’ terrific run with injury.
The Crows had just two development players in the side which just got over the top of West Adelaide at Richmond Oval last Saturday. And captain Matthew Wright is one of those and he played 159 AFL games.
The surprise of the first half of the season was Woodville-West Torrens’ struggles after entering round 1 as arguably favourite following highly productive recruiting.
The Eagles conquered reigning premier North Adelaide in the opening round, only to lose their next five games. But they have beaten Norwood, South Adelaide and Central District in the past three weeks to regain composure.
As for the Roosters and starting minus two games as a penalty for the 19th man saga in last year’s preliminary final, they are still one game in the red and six games behind plus percentage behind fifth-placed Sturt.
MID-SEASON TEAM OF THE YEAR
B: Matt Rose (South), Max proud (Glenelg), Jarred Allmond (North)
HB: Sam Colquhoun (Sturt), Jack Stephens (Sturt), Chris Curran (Glenelg)
C: Lewis Johnston (Norwood), Jordan Foote (Eagles), Dom Barry (Norwood)
HF: Justin Hoskin (Central), Liam McBean (Glenelg), Jono Beech (West)
F: Joel Cross (South), Luke Reynolds (Glenelg), Tyson Stengle (Adelaide)
1R: Sam Baulderstone (Norwood), Jack Trengove (Port), Kaine Stevens (West)
Int: Patrick Wilson (Adelaide), Brad McKenzie (Norwood), Jarrod Schiller (Central)
CLUB-BY-CLUB
ADELAIDE
The Crows have had few injury problems so there has been a raft of AFL-listed personnel available. And it has been reflected on the field with the Crows now only percentage behind top-placed Glenelg. But coach Heath Younie must be satisfied with the input from the development players, who have stood up when needed.
Best and fairest favourite: Patrick Wilson
CENTRAL DISTRICT
The Bulldogs are still in danger of claiming the wooden spoon, such has been the disappointing season. They have had just two wins and they were against the only two clubs below them on the ladder. The lack of depth has been a major concern and too often the skills have been woeful.
Best and fairest favourite: Jarrod Schiller
GLENELG
The Tigers have taken their impressive form late last season into this year to be on top of the ladder. They are playing a brilliant team-orientated, disciplined brand of football. Lachlan Hosie was lost to the AFL in the mid-season draft when leading the goalkicking, but gun Josh Scott is back after missing plenty of action due to a broken arm.
Best and fairest favourite: Chris Curran
NORTH ADELAIDE
The loss of a swag of big names in the draft last season has hurt and the Roosters have just one win to be still in the red on the ladder. Injuries have also been an issue, although they have been competitive in most games. The enthusiasm and spirit has not wavered.
Best and fairest favourite: Jarred Allmond
NORWOOD
The Redlegs are third on the ladder, but the club does not believe it has got into full gear yet. Mitch Grigg hasn’t been at his Magarey Medal-winning form, while Matt Matt Panos and Matt Nunn have missed a heap of games. There has been plenty of inconsistency, but there have been periods when they have lived right up to their potential. They were a little lucky to get the points against the Bulldogs, Double Blues and Panthers.
Best and fairest favourite: Brad McKenzie
PORT ADELAIDE
Has had a rollercoaster ride depending on the availability of AFL talent. Injuries to the AFL list have impacted on the state league side, but when they get plenty of numbers on the ground, they can be dangerous, as was the case against Sturt on Saturday.
Best and fairest favourite: Jack Trengove
SOUTH ADELAIDE
The Panthers have been hurt by the loss of Keegan Brooksby, Hayden McLean and Michael Knoll under the new AFL draft rules. But they have still been highly competitive, albeit a little inconsistent in games. That as no more evident that the two-point loss to the Redlegs on Sunday. Alex Cailotto rucked well against the Redlegs, so he can expect more time in the role.
Best and fairest favourite: Joel Cross
STURT
Gave new coach Nathan Grima reasons for concern early with just one win from its first four games. But the Double Blues responded to win their next four games to climb into the top five. The Double Blues were ordinary, however, at Alberton Oval on Saturday. Can’t get their best side on the paddock due to injuries and the loss of ruckman Tom Read for an extended period hasn’t helped.
Best and fairest favourite: Sam Colquhoun
WEST ADELAIDE
The Bloods have just one win this season, but they have been in most games. It has been a broken record for coach Gavin Colville with the side producing a poor quarter each game and the Bloods are getting punished. They led the high quality Crows at three-quarter on Saturday. Maybe if Will Snelling and John Noble had been in the side, rather than strutting their stuff in the VFL?
Best and fairest favourite: Jono Beech
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS
The Eagles had their share of injuries, but they struggled badly to get going. The opening-round win over the Roosters was quickly forgotten on the back of five successive losses. They now appear to have adjusted to the gameplan with three wins in a row to launch their bid for a finals berth. Coach Sam Lonergan hasn’t been afraid to make some tough calls, such as playing James Boyd in reserves.
Best and fairest favourite: Jordan Foote
PREDICTIONS
MINOR PREMIER
Glenelg
WOODEN SPOON
North Adelaide
PREMIER
Glenelg
MAGAREY MEDALLIST
Pat Wilson (Adelaide)
KEN FARMER MEDALLIST
Liam McBean (Glenelg)
Download your Norwood or Glenelg Grand Final team posters
The stage is set for an epic battle between two of the traditional SANFL clubs. Download your Grand Final posters here.
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