SANFL Monday Recovery: James Watt has joined the Bulldogs after leaving the Double Blues
JAMES Watt has left Sturt seeking more opportunities, Max Thring continues to lead from the front and John Butcher has a day out. It has been another big weekend of SANFL action.
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- Gun Bulldogs ruckman ruled out for six weeks
- Eagles do it easy at the Bay
- Roosters’ blood pumping on top
- Butcher kicks six in thrilling upset
- Warren Partland’s mid-season SANFL team of the year
JAMES Watt has left Sturt seeking more opportunities, Max Thring continues to lead from the front and John Butcher has a day out. It has been another big weekend of SANFL action.
WATT IS BEHIND BLUE’S SWITCH?
An interesting name popped up in the reserves for Central District against the Roosters last week.
James Watt has moved his game to Elizabeth Oval in a bid to get more league action. Watt returned to Sturt this year after a couple of seasons of bush and amateur footy, but was told his opportunities at Unley Oval would be limited.
The Double Blues are keen to promote youth in the reserves.
Watt joined the Double Blues in 2014 with Zane Kirkwood and Kory Beard after leaving Port Adelaide when it became the Power reserves.
He has been given no promises at Elizabeth Oval, but the Bulldogs have been impressed with his attitude and the way he goes about his footy.
WOMEN’S FOOTY GROWS
Women’s footy seems to be taking over and has been embraced by all the clubs as a massive part of the future.
And now we have more evidence.
The Bloods’ league, reserves and under 18 teams for the games against the Roosters were on their women's football email address.
GOOD THRINGS ABOUT MAX
How good has Max Thring been this season as the new Roosters captain?
In his 10 games this season, he has been named best for the club in three times, second best once and in the best another three times.
His work rate has been impressive and he roamed around Richmond Oval on Saturday like a stray dog.
Roosters coach Josh Carr, talking after the win over the Bloods about the appointment of Thring as skipper, said: “You never know until they are put in that situation. He loves it and thrives off it”.
Has anyone else noticed Carr’s demeanour never changes win, lose or draw? Very wise move by the club to add another two years to his stint at Prospect Oval.
TV CRITICS
Whenever you put your neck out with team of the year selections there will always be the critics. That is fair, these exercises will always provoke different thoughts.
So, of course, there would be some questions thrown at me after naming a mid-season team on Friday.
Channel 7 commentator John Casey wanted to know why Port Adelaide’s Jack Trengove was not in the 21. And that is a fair question given he has been playing well in the black and white jumper.
There are so many quality midfield options and someone has to miss out.
Apparently Channel 7 is about to come good with its own team of the year. And Johnny, I will be going over it with the same fine tooth comb I use each morning.
No doubt Trengove will be in the side, no surprise considering Channel 7 has broadcast four Port games. It will be interesting to get the broadcaster’s opinion on North Adelaide, Central District, West Adelaide and Sturt as they have been on tele only once.
Adelaide has had three games telecast, while Norwood, South Adelaide, Woodville-West Torrens and Glenelg have been on the box twice.
BUTCHER CARVES THEM UP
John Butcher put a few moves on veteran South Adelaide defender Brad Crabb in the third quarter at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday and almost nailed a goal of the year contender.
It just missed, but the enigmatic Butch still finished the day with a bag of six in the much-needed win.
Since coming to South Australia, he has been among the most maligned players because of his kicking for goal.
But there is no doubt Butch is value for money. Yep, you never know what is going to happen next when he lines up for goal. But he is a competitor and attacks the contest with enthusiasm, and can take that speccy.
Ask the Dogs and they are only too glad he is in their line-up.
ON THE BANDWAGON
Apparently I have tipped the Roosters just once this season. Or so a couple of diehard Roosters fans, who go to every game rain, hail or shine, were quick to inform me at Richmond Oval on Saturday. Well just so they know, I have joined them on the front row of the bandwagon.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
The Bloods have offered so much encouragement against high quality opposition in the past month. But they had too many passengers against the Roosters and there is not enough room on the bandwagon.
ROUND 12 RESULTS
North Adelaide 13.17 (95) d West Adelaide 7.5 (47) at Richmond Oval.
Central District 12.8 (80) d South Adelaide 11.9 (75) at Elizabeth Oval.
Eagles 14.9 (93) d Glenelg 6.10 (46) at Glenelg Oval.
LADDER
North Adelaide 18 (57.43%)
Eagles 17 (57.07)
South Adelaide 14 (55.69)
Norwood 14 (56.2)
Sturt 12 (54.55)
Port Adelaide 9 (47.52)
Central District 8 (49.04)
West Adelaide 8 (44.94)
Glenelg 6 (44.81)
Adelaide 0 (34.07)
*Norwood, Sturt, Port Adelaide, Adelaide played one less game.
GOALKICKERS
Terry Milera (Glenelg) 28
Josh Scott (Glenelg) 26
Shane McAdam (Sturt) 21
Mark Evans (Sturt) 21
Jack Hayes (Eagles) 21
John Butcher (Central) 20
Nick Hayes (Eagles) 20
Mitch Grigg (Norwood) 19
Lewis Hender (North) 18
Mason Middleton (West) 18
RATINGS
Only three games on the weekend so only six teams to rate.
1: North Adelaide — The Bloods have been in good form, but the Roosters forced them into a flood of mistakes with their relentless pressure. The Roosters should have won by more.
2: Eagles — They smashed Glenelg early and were never threatened at the Bay to continue their domination of the Tigers.
3: Central District — Bounced back with an impressive effort against South Adelaide on the back of a strong tackling performance.
4: South Adelaide — Threatened to overcome a challenging deficit a few times, but if they got the chocolates it would have been a robbery.
5: West Adelaide — Started off okay, only to drift into old habits when put under enormous pressure from the Roosters.
6: Glenelg — Just not good enough from the Tigers at home. They were smashed early.
THIS WEEK
Sunday: Port Adelaide v Norwood (Alberton Oval, 2.10pm), Sturt v Adelaide (Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 2.10pm).
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