Opening three rounds of SANFL coughs up intriguing results
EXPLAINING some results from the opening three rounds of the SANFL, especially West Adelaide’s victory against Central District at Elizabeth, is a difficult task.
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EXPLAINING some results from the opening three rounds of the SANFL, especially West Adelaide’s victory in Elizabeth, is a difficult task.
WHAT THE .....
Now let’s recap the first three rounds.
Central District belts North Adelaide. North Adelaide annihilates West Adelaide and West Adelaide beats Central District, in Elizabeth.
South Adelaide over runs Glenelg, Norwood over runs South Adelaide and Glenelg conquers Norwood.
And 28 points is good enough for a draw between the only two undefeated sides.
And that my friend, is why they say punting is a mug’s game.
FINE EXAMPLE FOR HIS SON
There is a reason Trent Goodrem is Central District captain.
He sets the example with his attack on the game, as well as loyalty and a team first attitude. So it was tremendous to see him get his 200th game on Saturday.
Goodrem’s life is also going to be a little busier in August with his wife Carly due to give birth to their second child. They already have son Nate.
“You just have to manage your priorities better (as a father),” Goodrem said. “I’m big on enjoying the time when I’m home with my wife and little boy.
“When you come home from footy disappointed at a loss you leave it at the door, I’ve been able to do that.”
No doubt he went home disappointed on Saturday night. His teammates should be more disappointed, disappointed they let down their captain with such a poor effort.
PAY THE MARK
Sturt trailed North Adelaide by just two points early in the final quarter at Unley on Sunday when forward Shane McAdam climbed high over the pack to pull down a spectacular mark close to goal.
It was an absolute beauty, especially in the conditions Or so everyone at the ground thought.
The ball spilt free when McAdam hit the ground and the ump called play on. For McAdam’s sake, lucky there is no car for mark of the year in the SANFL.
PORPLYZIA RETURNS
West Adelaide gun Jason Porplyzia made his first appearance since rupturing his ACL in a trial last year when he fronted for a little more than two quarters of the reserves against the Bulldogs on Saturday.
“Fantastic” was the Bloods’ description of the midfielder’s performance and he was named third best for the club.
The Bloods were also impressed with the league debut of Conor Noonan.
And as a Bloods official noted in a text message, a week is a long time in football.
JOHNSTON HAS HIS NUMBER
Lewis Johnston wore his favourite number 23 as a junior as well as his time at North Adelaide and Sydney. When he moved to Norwood, he had to find another number with Tim Webber already having those digits on his back.
But Webber retired at the end of last season, opening the door for Johnston to grab the number back.
Now wearing No. 5 at the Redlegs is Michael Talia. He was offered five or seven and wanted to know the history behind the jumpers before making a decision.
When told Dale Fleming, a Victorian who played in the 1997 premiership with the Redlegs, wore No. 5 that became his number of choice.
Fleming is entrenched at The Parade, now working with the marketing team at the club.
BRADLEY SOON TO RETURN
Glenelg captain Andrew Bradley reckons his long-awaited return is not far away. He has not played since shoulder surgery last year, but hopes to be back in action in two weeks.
As for teammate Josh Scott, he is back in a big way.
His 2017 season was lack lustre and he opened with a couple of average games this year. Against Norwood on Saturday night he went bang, produced his true form and had a massive influence in the big win.
“He went in with a focus to have a go at everything, throw himself at everything,” Tigers coach Mark Stone said. “He was terrific.”
UGLY VIEWING
West Adelaide coach Gavin Colville made his team return to its Richmond base to watch vision of the hefty loss to North Adelaide immediately after the game.
The response was a victory over Central District at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.
Now it is Bulldogs coach Roy Laird’s turn to turn on the TV for his players to sit through the debacle.
He had the players at their home ground at 8.30am on Sunday morning and it’s doubtful if Laird was handing out the popcorn and soda while watching a replay of the game.
JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON
After Saturday’s night win over Norwood I’m looking to find a seat right upfront of the bandwagon for this week.
Apart from a period in the final quarter when the Redlegs ran rampant, the Tigers were outstanding. Their second and third quarters were sensational, smashing the Redlegs at the stoppages and using fluent ball movement to dominate.
Now the Tigers have to repeat the effort on a big ground.
And whoever gave coach Mark Stone the job should be patting themselves on the back.
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JUMPING OFF THE BANDWAGON
Central District was embarrassing on Saturday, according to one Bulldogs official.
West Adelaide was coming off a 138-point thumping from North Adelaide and were missing Jono Beech, Jason Porplyzia, Izak Rankine, Jack Agostino, Errin Wasley-Black and Daniel Webb.
The Bulldogs, at home, led by almost four goals at halftime and added just three behinds for the second half. Plenty of seats on this bandwagon.
WEEK’S RANKINGS
1: Glenelg — The manner in which they attacked the contest and moved the ball against Norwood was impressive. Relentless pressure was the key to the win.
2: North Adelaide — The Roosters had lost their previous nine games to Sturt and the previous five at Unley. They were physical and just kept persisting to earn the two premiership points.
3: West Adelaide — Coming off a 138-point loss to North Adelaide, the Bloods overcame a halftime deficit to conquer Central District in Elizabeth. A remarkable turn around.
4: Sturt — The match against North Adelaide was a cliffhanger and could have gone either way. Coach Marty Mattner was not happy with his side’s execution, but even in defeat they are tough.
5: South Adelaide — Got the job done against Adelaide in testing conditions in Noarlunga.
6: Eagles — It was a draw with Port Adelaide but they had 10 more scoring attempts and the game was at Alberton.
7: Port Adelaide — Had only eight scoring attempts in tricky conditions and were at home.
8: Norwood — The Redlegs were competitive in the opening quarter and banged home six goals in the final term. In between, they were completely outplayed and outworked.
9: Central District — Led by almost four goals at halftime and added just three behinds in the second half to lose to a depleted West Adelaide line-up at home.
10: Adelaide — Lost their third successive game to start the season in the wind in Noarlunga.
LADDER
Team W D L For Agst % Pts
1: Port Adelaide 3 2 1 — 248 150 62.3 5
2: Eagles 3 2 1 — 204 143 58.8 5
3: North Adelaide 3 2 — 1 263 193 58.6 4
4: Sturt 3 2 — 1 238 180 56.9 4
5: South Adelaide 3 2 — 1 232 222 51.2 4
6: Central District 3 1 — 2 233 208 52.8 2
7: Norwood 3 1 — 2 258 253 50.5 2
8: Glenelg 3 1 — 2 247 257 47.0 2
9: West Adelaide 3 1 — 2 141 304 31.7 2
10: Adelaide 3 — — 3 102 246 29.3 0
THIS WEEK
ROUND 4
Saturday
Central District v Adelaide, My Money House Oval, Elizabeth, 2.10pm
North Adelaide v Norwood, Prospect Oval, 2.40pm
Sunday
Eagles v Glenelg, Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval, Woodville, 2.10pm
Tuesday
West Adelaide v South Adelaide, City Mazda Stadium, Richmond, 7.10pm
Wednesday
Sturt v Port Adelaide, Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 1.10pm
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