Injury-hit Woodville-West Torrens overcomes injuries to beat West Adelaide and book grand final spot

WOODVILLE-West Torrens has underlined what most observers already knew — they are the team to beat for this year’s flag — with a semi-final win over a game West Adelaide on Sunday.

SANFL - Second Semi-Final - Eagles v West Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. James Boyd gets his handpass away from the out stretched arm of Adam Hartlett. Photo Sarah Reed.

WOODVILLE-West Torrens has been the pacesetter for much of the season.

Since dropping their season opener to West Adelaide, the Eagles have proved the most consistent and potent outfit in the competition.

Their only other loss was to Port Adelaide.

On Sunday, the Eagles used the second semi-final to confirm their favouritism to claim a third flag since the merger of Woodville and West Torrens back in 1991.

Despite losing gun midfielder Angus Rowntree early in the contest and Angus Poole early in the third term — both due to knee injuries, the Eagles overcame a plucky Bloods outfit to secure a 14-point victory.

They are the first team into the grand final and now wait for the preliminary final battle between the Bloods and Central District to know their challenger for the crown.

“As soon as the siren went I said they were gutsy men,’’ Eagles coach Michael Godden said. “That is exactly what they were, they rose above the challenge of having two of the best inside mids out.

“With that heat I’m really proud of them. We hung on and I’m happy with that.’’

The Bloods opted for more height when finalising their 21, recalling high-marking Daniel Webb as back up in the ruck and as an attacking option.

Promising youngster Aaron Francis was overlooked after missing the qualifying final win over Port Adelaide because of illness.

The early goals for the Eagles seemingly came cheaper than their opponents, who were forced to work hard for their scores.

Eagles star Jared Petrenko gets his kick away ahead of West’s William Snelling. Photo: Sarah Reed.

Bloods’ Ryan Willits had a tough battle with his Eagles opponent Marc Borholm in the ruck while Kaine Stevens, Jason Porplyzia and Chris Schmidt were getting their hands to plenty of ball.

Poole was lively around the ball for the Eagles and up forward the combination of Michael Wundke, who nailed some clever goals, and Andrew Ainger tested the Bloods defence.

After leading by 20 points at halftime, the Eagles needed just 37 seconds of the third term to extend their advantage.

Dangerous Jared Petrenko blasted the ball from the middle of the ground and Ainger claimed a brilliant mark, before nailing the set shot from just inside the 50m arc.

The Bloods needed a response and Aaron Anderson gave them a lift when he kicked a stunning goal from the boundary 12 minutes into the second half. When Jonathon Beech kicked truly seven minutes later, the deficit was just 16 points.

This is a well balanced, well structured Eagles line-up, however, and they had the answers. They had far more potency and marking power in attack and the forwards were fed a constant supply.

The Bloods were dealt a blow late in the third quarter when Logan Hill was carried from the ground after a collision with teammate Adam Hartlett.

There is plenty of spirit in this Bloods outfit though and they closed to within 10 points in the final term.

The contest became a mental test as well as physical with both sides having just one rotation on the bench.

While the Eagles were without Rowntree and Poole, the Bloods lost Aaron Fielke and Hill due to concussion.

“We left a fair bit to do at three quarter time but we feel we are always a chance, five goals down with a quarter to go,’’ Bloods coach Mark Mickan said.

“There were things we were concerned about for the first three quarters which we needed to improve.

“They were cleaner than us, moved the ball quicker and scored from stoppages, we struggled to do those things.’’

SCOREBOARD

EAGLES 4.1 7.4 10.10 11.13 (79)

WEST ADELAIDE 3.1 4.2 6.4 9.11 (65)

BEST – Eagles: Ainger, Schwarz, Lewis, Wundke, Allmond, Hall. West: Stevens, Porplyzia, Haysman, Snelling, Schmidt, Schiller.

GOALS – Eagles: Ainger 4, Wundke, Boyd 2, Rowntree, McGregor, Batley. West: Anderson, Webb 2, Beech, Porplyzia, Wasley-Black, Snelling, Haysman.

INJURIES – Eagles: Rowntree (knee), Poole (knee). West: Fielke (concussion), Hill (concussion).

UMPIRES – Lally, Crosby, Hundertmark.

CROWD – 9247 at Adelaide Oval.