North Adelaide goes from SANFL wooden-spooner to ladder-leader

NORTH Adelaide has gone from SANFL wooden-spooner to ladder leader in just eight months. But do not expect coach Josh Carr to be getting carried away with the Roosters’ stunning early season form.

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A LIMP 40-point loss to Port Adelaide in last season’s final minor round consigned North Adelaide to the wooden spoon at the end of another dismal campaign.

But just eight months on the Roosters are a club reborn, having recorded four straight wins to fire them to the top of the SANFL ladder.

North has shocked most observers by overcoming a round-one thumping at the hands of Central District to emerge as the competition’s early pacesetter.

Aidan Tropiano gets his kick away on Sunday. Picture Sarah Reed

Coach Josh Carr was refusing to get caught up in the hype, despite his side’s stunning form.

“The result of where we are on the ladder, it doesn’t really matter to be honest,” said Carr, following Sunday’s thrilling nine-point triumph over Woodville-West Torrens.

“It’s all a part of the journey.

“You have reasons for finishing (on the ladder) where you do.

“But it’s about improving as a football club — bringing new players in and improvement from within the group as well.

“So far that’s happening.”

New North Adelaide captain Max Thring has been in inspirational form this SANFL season. Picture: Sarah Reed

The Roosters are reaping the rewards for maintaining faith in Carr, who led them to underwhelming ninth and 10th-place finishes in his first two years at the helm.

Indeed their 4-1 record this season has already equalled their return of victories for each of the past two campaigns.

The most recent triumph, away to an Eagles side which has claimed the past three minor premierships, spoke volumes for North’s transformation.

A commitment to relentless pressure without the ball has helped it smother opponents from the opening bounce.

It worked again on the weekend, as the hosts failed to register an inside 50 until the 13th minute of the first term.

The ability to move the ball quickly and accurately has also been a consistent feature of the Roosters’ dominance, on their way to a league-high 497 points.

Newly-installed captain Max Thring, who collected three goals and 34 disposals at Woodville Oval, is thriving with the additional responsibility.

Roosters recruit Jarred Allmond celebrates a goal against Norwood. Picture: Dylan Coker

At the other end of the spectrum is a crop of exciting youngsters, typified by teenager Connor Rozee who kicked two majors on debut.

“Max Thring as skipper led the charge, but he wasn’t the only one,” Carr said.

“There was a lot of guys that played their role and got a good result.

“Connor probably played a little bit more game time than I wanted for a young kid.

“I threw him forward and back, but he coped with that and he did well”

Success over the Eagles came in the wake of convincing triumphs against West Adelaide and Norwood, as well as a similarly eye-catching win over reigning premier Sturt at Unley.

Carr insisted his charges would not take their foot off the pedal when they hosted winless Adelaide at Prospect this Saturday.

“We just play every game on its merits,” the former Port Adelaide midfielder said.

“We’ve just got to keep improving each week how we play.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s Woodville (West Torrens) or Adelaide, it’s about us playing how we want to play.”