North Adelaide to continue to play on the edge as Allmond cleared to play preliminary final

THERE will be no backing down by North Adelaide in the playing-on-the-edge style when it confronts Woodville-West Torrens after Jarred Allmond successfully challenged a rough conduct charge.

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NORTH Adelaide will refuse to back away from its playing-on-the-edge style when it confronts Woodville-West Torrens in the preliminary final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Roosters coach Josh Carrs admits his side has pushed the limits with its physicality in the finals and he will encourage his players to continue the mindset against the Eagles when it chases a grand final spot against Norwood.

The Roosters have effectively got in the face of opponents to conquer South Adelaide in the elimination final and Sturt in the first semi-final.

Midfielder Jarred Allmond pleaded guilty to careless conduct at the SANFL tribunal on Tuesday night for a bump on Sturt’s Josh Dodd in the first semi-final.

The tribunal ruled there was reasonable doubt with the original assessment there was high contact and accepted his plea to a lesser charge. Allmond was fined $200 and given a reprimand.

“We are definitely playing on the edge,” Carr said. “It is tough football, attacking the ball and body at the same time.

“We push the limits, but I stress to the players we don’t go over it, don’t go overboard.

“At times guys get to that line and that is just where we are at. It is about being in control of what you do, it is tough at times, but that is how we play.”

Jarred Allmond @NorthAdelaideFC has successfully had his rough conduct charge downgraded at @SANFL Tribunal. Tribunal panel determined high contact couldn’t be established beyond reasonable doubt. He received $200 fine and reprimand and is available to play in Preliminary Final.

— SANFL (@SANFL) September 11, 2018

The push and shove from the Roosters starts from the moment the players move into position to start the game and they do not let up with their pressure on the opposition bodies.

They are tactics adopted by Carr during his highly successful career at Port Adelaide and his players have thrived with the combative style.

“I love it, love watching that sort of football,” Carr said. “That is whether an opposition team is doing it to us, or we are doing it.

“It is enjoyable to watch, great to watch. It is real footy.”

There are moments, however, when has had to bench a player after an undisciplined act and let them cool down.

North’s Robbie Young tackles Sturt’s Zane Kirkwood on Sunday. Picture: Sarah Reed

Pacy forward Robbie Young was taken from the ground after giving away a 25m penalty against the Double Blues when he went outside the boundaries of the team plan.

“It was not about taking him off to tell him to pull his head in,” Carr said. “You take him off so he can calm down and refocus.”

Eagles coach Michael Godden will discuss the Roosters’ tactics with his players and enforce a no retaliation policy.

He said his players had been around the block enough times to be able to handle what the Roosters throw at them, describing it as a bit of piss and wind.

“If you are coached by Josh Carr then you are going to play the way he did, and we all love the way he went about it in finals,” Godden said.

“We have to keep the mind on the job and just get our hands on the ball and get it forward.”