Hot-and-cold North Adelaide frustrating in 42-point victory over Glenelg at Prospect Oval
THERE is arguably no more frustrating team in the SANFL than North Adelaide, which was again inconsistent in its 42-point win over Glenelg on Saturday.
THERE is arguably no more frustrating team in the SANFL than North Adelaide.
The Roosters used Saturday's 42-point victory over Glenelg at Prospect to fully advertise their inconsistency and show why the jury is still undecided on their premiership chances.
Highly impressive in the first quarter when they smashed the Tigers apart, the Roosters had the two crucial premiership points all but in their keeping when they led by 44 points at the first change.
But after a seven-goal haul for the opening term, they revealed their ugly side to kick just two in the second before going goalless in the third when their skills, decision making and work ethic were questionable against a spirited opponent.
“It is all about mindset,” Roosters coach Ken McGregor said.
“Maybe if we did not lead by seven goals at quarter-time the attitude would have been different in the next two quarters.
“But credit to Glenelg. They have a young midfield who stuck at it and they kept fighting.
“There are plenty of positives to come out of the game for us, especially from that first quarter.”
It took just 20 seconds for the Roosters to make a statement on the contest.
Ruckman James Craig blasted a kick from the opening bounce and Alan Obst marked and goaled to set the home side alight.
The Roosters’ pressure was relentless, the defence led by Michael Clinch and Todd Miles was on top and players swarmed forward in numbers with fluent run and carry.
Glenelg was under siege and when a Tiger grabbed possession he was attacked from all angles by a desperate opposition.
It took the visitors 21 minutes before they had a shot at goal — former Rooster Clint Alleway kicking a behind after a strong mark.
The Roosters had 23 more possessions for the first quarter, 16 more marks and importantly seven more tackles.
Whatever Tigers coach Nick Stevens said to his charges at quarter-time had the desired impact as his side lifted the intensity around the ball and found many more players willing to get their hands dirty and fight for the cause.
The Tigers’ pressure lifted another cog in the third quarter and their tackling and smothering created uncertainty among the Roosters as the home side coughed up numerous turnovers and some clumsy, undisciplined football.
Craig Pitt, Andrew Bradley and Hayden Jolly had an influence for the Tigers as they took the challenge to the Roosters in a scrappy encounter but the damage had been done in the first term.
“The first quarter was inexcusable — you have got to come with an appetite to play,” Stevens said.
“But after that there were patches when we looked dangerous and showed the game plan and what we are trying to do is working — we just can't sustain it for long enough.”
NORTH ADELAIDE 7.3 9.3 9.7 12.8 (80)
GLENELG 0.1 2.4 4.7 5.8 (38)
BEST — North: Clinch, Ryswyk, Miles, Kulikowski, Williams, Thiele. Glenelg: McCarthy, Pitt, Bradley, Agnew, Jolly, Neal-Bullen.
GOALS — North: Williams 4, Ryswyk 3, Schulz, Thiele 2, Obst. Glenelg: Alleway, McFarlane, McIntyre, Bailey, Hancock.
UMPIRES: Ralston, Haussen, Lowe.
CROWD: 2374 at Prospect Oval.