Norwood enhances claims for SANFL crown and West Adelaide still alive in race for finals

NORWOOD will try to keep a lid on expectation, Warwick McGinty ends his time at Glenelg, West Adelaide stays alive in the finals hunt and Adelaide gets a win. It has been another big week in the SANFL.

Will Norwood lose another game for the season?

That is a serious question. The Redlegs have won nine in a row and they showed off their potential with that incredible final quarter against Sturt at Unley Oval on Saturday.

How can any team beat them on the evidence of that 13-goal blast? And keep in mind, Ben Jefferies was in the reserves plus a few other blokes who have played plenty of league footy.

The Redlegs’ remaining games are West Adelaide at home, Woodville-West Torrens at home, Central District away, North Adelaide at home and South Adelaide at Noarlunga Oval.

That clash against the Eagles will probably decide who finishes minor premier.

So if the Redlegs are to remain unbeaten for the rest of the season, we need to look into the murky crystal ball and suggest they beat the Eagles in the second semi-final then Sturt in the grand final.

The Redlegs ran away with the game. How good was Matthew Panos in that final quarter? Picture: Tom Huntley

But before the Redlegs win the flag, who gets that fifth spot in the finals?

South Adelaide’s hold on fifth is precarious to say the least, now being just a game above the Bloods and with a tough run home.

The Panthers must still face the Roosters at home, Port at Alberton, Double Blues at home, Eagles away and Redlegs at home.

The Bloods have Redlegs away, Glenelg at the Bay, Port at home, Double Blues away and Adelaide at home.

Port is still a chance as it has a good draw. But that loss to the Crows hurts big time.

Hey boys, we can still make the finals. West Coach Gavin Colville chats with his players. Picture: Dean Martin

After that amazing final quarter, Redlegs coach Jarrod Cotton said everyone would be talking the club up, but they had to keep a lid on it.

Sorry Jarrod, that ain’t happening. There is not a lid thick enough to keep those expectations in check.

Just like I reply to those Redlegs members who love a drink and ask me every time I’m at The Parade when will I be writing a decent story, it is not happening.

Glenelg ruckman Warwick McGinty’s surprise decision to announce his retirement from league football last week leaves a hole at the Tigers.

McGinty has established himself as an extremely popular clubman with his work ethic and acceptance of the regular challenges of facing bigger bodies in the ruck.

It is believed he has battled with motivation since last season, while he has struggled with injuries this season and spent time in the reserves.

McGinty is an electrician working on the new motor racing complex which means driving from Camben Park most days a week.

Having retired after June 30, he is unable to transfer to another club, even in the amateurs or the bush, unless the SANFL deems it exceptional circumstances. Although he could probably get a game at Kongorong, near Mt Gambier, where he played junior footy.

Warwick McGinty has turned his back on league footy. Picture: Tom Huntley

The person with their fingerprints all over the sounds system at Glenelg Oval on Saturday obviously had no doubt the Tigers were home at quarter-time.

The Tigers led the Panthers 5.1 (31) to 0.2 (2) and the sound person thought it was time for the fat lady to sing. Hmmmm, am I allowed to say that in today’s politically correct world?

So the nameless person started to play the Tigers’ theme song, just a few seconds to remind the black and gold fans they were from Tigerland.

There would have been some anxious moments for those fans though with the Panthers kicking three goals in three minutes to close the gap to just three points in the final term.

It was game No. 200 for field umpire Tobias Medlin on Saturday and he had the choice of where he wanted to be for the afternoon.

The Unley Oval clash was not a surprising decision. Sorry mate, but I still can’t call you Tobias. It was Toby when I knew you as a runner. Tobias?

He has umpired three grand finals, including last year’s cliffhanger between the Doubles Blues and Port.

Last week we mentioned the improvement of the youth coming through the Bulldogs’ ranks after Jackson Hately and Jez McLennan were named in the under 18 All Australian team.

Well add Corey Durdin to the list after he was named most valuable player in the national under 16 championships won by South Australia.

On their return from the under 18 championships triumph, Hately had a disappointing game against the Bloods at Richmond Oval on Saturday. But McLennan pushed his case for a league debut with an outstanding effort in the reserves.

The kid can play. Eagle Jack Luckosius celebrates kicking a goal. Picture: Tom Huntley

ROUND 14 RESULTS

Norwood 2012 (132) d Sturt 11.12 (78) at Unley Oval

Glenelg 10.6 (66) d South Adelaide 9.9 (63) at Glenelg Oval

West Adelaide 14.18 (102) d Central District 11.5 (71) at Richmond Oval

Eagles 18.13 (121) d North Adelaide 8.10 (58) at Prospect Oval

Adelaide 17.14 (116) d Port Adelaide 8.12 (60)

LADDER

Eagles 21 (58.0%)

Norwood 20 (56.9)

North Adelaide 18 (54.1)

Sturt 16 (54.3)

South Adelaide 14 (54.3)

West Adelaide 12 (47.0)

Central District 10 (48.5)

Port Adelaide 9 (45.5)

Glenelg 8 (45.5)

Adelaide 2 (36.3)

Josh Scott doing what he does best. Picture: Dean Martin

GOALKICKERS

Josh Scott (Glenelg) 29

Mark Evans (Sturt) 29

Terry Milera (Glenelg) 28

Jack Hayes (Eagles) 26

Mason Middleton (West) 24

John Butcher (Central) 23

Lewis Hender (North) 23

Shane McAdam (Sturt) 23

Matthew Panos (Norwood) 22

Alex Barns (North) 22

ON THE BANDWAGON

Not only have I pushed my way to the front of the Redlegs’ bandwagon, I’m booking my seat for the grand final celebrations, I’m that confident.

OFF THE BANDWAGON

I’ve been pumping Port up as a huge finals chance, but that was ordinary at Kadina Oval. There won’t be any finals action for the Bulldogs this year.

The Bloods have pulled away from the Bulldogs in the race for a finals spot. Picture: Dean Martin

RANKINGS

1: Norwood — even the Eagles’ big win at Prospect Oval cannot top the Redlegs’ victory at Unley Oval. To borrow a word from Redlegs coach Jarrod Cotton to describe the final quarter, wowee.

2: Eagles — they lost to the Roosters at home in round five. What an impressive way to get some revenge.

3: Adelaide — what a way to break the duck, belt Port Adelaide. It was an impressive win, set up in the first quarter against a strong wind.

4: West Adelaide — the Bloods have bounced back with wins over the Panthers and Bulldogs. Lose to the Dogs on Saturday and forget about finals. They showed plenty of fight.

5: Glenelg — the coach wasn’t happy with my review of the Tigers’ loss to the Bulldogs the previous week. Just so Mark knows, I tipped the Tigers and they got the chocolates.

6: South Adelaide — had to come back from a hefty deficit after an ordinary first quarter and almost over ran the Tigers at the Bay.

7: Sturt — looked good to have Norwood on the ropes at three-quarter time, only to cough up 13 goals in the final quarter.

8: Central District — came from well back to hit the front at three-quarter time, then poor in the final term. Is a half-a-game team at the moment.

9: Port Adelaide — did well in the third quarter to hit the front with the wind, but had no answers in the final term.

10: North Adelaide — had a chance to regain top spot and never threatened the Eagles.

THIS WEEK

Friday

Norwood v West Adelaide (Coopers Stadium, Norwood, 7.20pm)

Saturday

Eagles v Sturt (Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval, Woodville, 2.10pm)

Port Adelaide v Glenelg (Alberton Oval, 2.10pm)

South Adelaide v North Adelaide, Hickinbotham Oval, Noarlunga, 2.20pm)

Central District v Adelaide (My Money House Oval, Elizabeth, 2.10pm)