Monday Recovery: Adelaide Crows state league coach Heath Younie has the side in form
Adelaide coach Heath Younie has his state league side firing, Glenelg keeps lifting expectations and North Adelaide faces huge challenge after another big weekend of SANFL action.
SANFL
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- Sturt back to best to end South streak
- Magpies fly over the top of Eagles
- Crows put tight leash on Bulldogs
- Reds set pace after scorching Roosters
- Tigers overpower Bloods to continue hot start
Adelaide made a wise move to put Heath Younie back in charge of the its state league side this season.
He has a tremendous knowledge and respect for the SANFL after an outstanding career with North Adelaide, as well as a previous stint as Crows coach.
After the impressive win over Central District at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday, he was quick to heap praise on his assistants Paul Thomas and Brent Reilly.
“They give up two days a week after hours on top of their roles in the AFL club,” Younie said. “It is a great job by them, they do a mountain of work.”
Were Thomas’ kids wearing Bulldogs’ jumpers at the game?
HUFF AND PUFF
Bulldogs defender Luke Habel was definitely fighting out of his weight category when he stood toe-to-toe with Crows’ Josh Jenkins in some jumper pushing and shoving at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.
Habel stands 177cm and weighs 75kg, while Jenkins is 200cm and 108kg.
There was not much in it, just some huffing and puffing. So why did Crows’ Davis need to get involved when he grabbed Habel from behind?
That prompted Bulldogs veteran Kyle Jenner to challenge Davis and the pair spilt over the boundary line in front of the grandstand.
Crow Jordon Boyle then jostled with Jenner on the ground. And Boyle wasn’t even in the game. He had been standing in the interchange area waiting to come onto the ground.
Third time lucky for Habel @Ceeentrals #SANFL pic.twitter.com/o2riQvsidd
— 7SANFL (@7SANFL) April 27, 2019
COLOUR CLASH?
While on the Elizabeth Oval game, what was with the jumper clash? It was not always easy to pick up who was who. Then again, maybe I’m just getting old and need better glasses.
Meanwhile, a few Bulldogs should be made watch a replay of teammate Jarrod Schiller’s performance against the Crows.
Schiller is not the most gifted footballer. But he works his butt off and has a fair dinkum crack every time.
Well after the game had finished, Paul Thomas and Richie Cochrane were chatting on the ground. Now there is a couple of former Dogs who knew only one way, full bore.
TIGERS OPTIMISM
Optimism is building at Glenelg after the highly encouraging start to the season in which the Tigers have won three of their five games and had a draw.
A few Tigers’ fans might need to think about keeping a lid on expectations though. Even before the game against West Adelaide last Wednesday night, a couple of supporters said they were already looking forward to the Anzac Day game ...... next year!
Obviously they have visions of the Tigers playing in the grand final this season. Nah, they are not getting ahead of themselves.
KICKING SAUSAGE ROLLS
What about the incredible snap for goal by Crows’ Billy Hayes nine minutes into the first quarter against the Bulldogs?
Deep in the northern pocket, Hayes had a set shot and opted to try the checkside kick. The shot missed everything and flew out on the full.
And flew straight into the food and drink canteen. Food for thought whether the drop punt would have been his better option.
BELOW STANDARD
Now we all know umpiring is a tough gig, there is no question about that.
But if the umps are going to perform like they did in the Anzac Day game at Prospect Oval last Thursday then it needs to be mentioned.
It was simply not good enough for league.
And don’t get me started on the hands on the back rule. Okay, get me started. This column has warned there are going to be dubious calls after the rules were changed for this season, allowing players to use their hands to hold their ground.
Well that is exactly what West Adelaide captain Tom Keough did in the goal square in the opening minute of the second quarter against Glenelg. Yet he got called for a push.
Redlegs big man Brady Dawe’s action were no different to Keough when he took a mark in front of goal in the third quarter at Prospect Oval. Fortunately the umps got that one right and the mark stood.
THE GONG? SERIOUSLY?
The profiles of the Sturt players are on the club’s website and one of the facts revealed is favourite holiday location.
Every club has a player who mentions the Gold Coast, or Surfers Paradise, and at the Double Blues it is Josh Hone. Hawaii is another popular one and this time it is Mark Evans.
No. 1 John Greenslade lists Budapest, Jack Stephens has San Francisco and Zane Kirkwood America. Jake Sutcliffe says Japan is his favourite. All destinations worth a visit.
Then there is Aidan Riley. His favourite holiday spot is Wollongong. True story.
ROOSTERS CHALLENGE
That two-game penalty is now becoming significant for the Roosters.
After five rounds they have only one win and are already four games outside the top five. They need to get on a huge winning run, but injuries are a concern.
Woodville-West Torrens needs to get a wriggle on after losing the past four games. They are two games outside the five, but they need to be careful a top three spot doesn’t get out of reach.
RESULTS
Glenelg 10.14 (74) d West Adelaide 8.10 (58) at Richmond Oval
Norwood 15.11 (101) d North Adelaide 12.15 (87) at Prospect Oval
Adelaide 14.6 (90) d Central District 8.7 (55) at Elizabeth Oval
Port Adelaide 16.6 (102) d Eagles 9.11 (65) at Woodville Oval
Sturt 14.8 (92) d South Adelaide 11.4 (70) at Unley Oval
GOALKICKERS
James Rowe (Eagles) 14
Lachlan Hosie (Glenelg) 14
Peter Bampton (Norwood) 13
Jack Hayes (Eagles) 12
Matthew Wright (Adelaide) 11
Tyson Stengle (Adelaide) 11
Liam McBean (Glenelg) 11
Myles Poholke (Adelaide) 10
DISPOSALS
Jack Trengove (Port) 189
Sam Colquhoun (Sturt) 162
Patrick Wilson (Adelaide) 158
Travis Schiller (Central) 154
Lewis Johnston (Norwood) 148
Jordan Foote (Eagles) 142
TACKLES
William Snelling (West) 36
Kaine Stevens (West) 33
Jack Trengove (Port) 33
Cory Gregson (Glenelg) 31
Patrick Wilson (Adelaide) 29
Campbell Combe (North) 28
Nick Liddle (South) 28
ON THE BANDWAGON
Sturt coach Nathan Grima might have been getting a little fidgety after dropping three of the first four games. But the big bloke surely won’t be so restless this week after his side fired up at home on Sunday to beat in-form South Adelaide. I’d say it is Nathan’s shout.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
How bad was that first half from the Bulldogs? Just not good enough at league level.
RANKINGS
1: Sturt — the Double Blues badly needed a win and they got the job done well against in-form Panthers after being seriously challenged. The 1-3 start was a little deceiving as they were unlucky at The Parade and the game at the Bay could have gone either way.
McHenry kicks his first @Adelaide_FC #SANFL pic.twitter.com/63s5oTHj7s
— 7SANFL (@7SANFL) April 27, 2019
2: Adelaide — what is exciting for the Crows is the form of their top up players and they are not looking out of place alongside the big name AFL players.
3: Port Adelaide — challenged by the Eagles early before stamping their class on the game. There was plenty to like about the win.
4: Norwood — they built a huge lead, only to concede late goals and allow the Roosters to put respectability on the scoreboard. What is noticeable is they are playing a real team game. Going to be a big game against the Crows at The Parade on Friday night.
5: Glenelg — the Tigers have made an impressive start and they showed they can win ugly at Richmond Oval. Needed a six-goal final quarter to get the chocolates.
6: West Adelaide — consistency is still an issue for the Bloods after leading the in-form Tigers until the final quarter. Their pressure was outstanding and they moved the ball with pace.
7: South Adelaide — led the Double Blues at half time, only to concede 10 goals in the second half. Probably better suited on the big ovals, although should have won at the Bay.
8: North Adelaide — faced a hefty deficit after coughing up costly turnovers, before bagging late goals to eat into the Redlegs’ lead. Have been hit hard by injuries and a string of poor umpiring calls didn’t help.
9: Eagles — were in the game against Port at half-time, but couldn’t match the visitors in the second half at Woodville Oval.
10: Central District — the first half against the Crows was simply not good enough. Too many lazy players not prepared to make a stand for the club.
THIS WEEK
Friday
Norwood v Adelaide (Coopers Stadium, Norwood, 7.30pm)
Saturday
South Adelaide v West Adelaide (Flinders University Oval, Noarlunga, 1.10pm)
Glenelg v Eagles (ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg, 2.10pm)
Port Adelaide v Central District (Alberton Oval, 2.10pm)
Sturt v North Adelaide (Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 2.40pm)
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