North Adelaide prepares to face Port Adelaide, as well as first week of finals
NORTH Adelaide is preparing to front Port Adelaide in the final round, but the Roosters also have their thoughts on the elimination final. Blog live with Warren Partland about all things SANFL at 12.30pm today
NORTH Adelaide coach Josh Carr is balancing plans for the clash against Port Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday with preparations for the first week of finals.
The Roosters will face South Adelaide in the elimination final at Adelaide Oval on September 1 no matter the result of the contest against Port.
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“We are getting the players in the habit of preparing for the team they are playing,” Carr said after the Roosters came within 15 points of minor premier Norwood on Friday night.
“So there is a bit of homework on Port, but the No. 1 focus for a couple of weeks now has been developing a game ready for the first week of the finals.
“We went away from what we were doing early in the year. Everyone got caught up with the sexy way we were playing, but that was built on the back of hard tackling and contested football.
“That is coming back.”
All five games in the final round this weekend have no bearing on the finals.
Steve Summerton will play his last game for the Magpies against the Roosters.
West Adelaide gun Jason Porplyzia will make his final appearance after announcing his retirement due to knee issues. It is probably appropriate he will be facing Adelaide, having played 130 games for the Crows.
ROUND 19
Saturday: Central District v Eagles (Elizabeth Oval, 2.10pm), North Adelaide v Port Adelaide (Prospect Oval, 2.10pm).
Sunday: Glenelg v Sturt (Glenelg Oval, 2.10pm), South Adelaide v Norwood (Noarlunga Oval, 2.10pm), West Adelaide v Adelaide (Richmond Oval, 2.10pm).