SANFL Round 2: Who’s hot, who’s not and who made the team of the week

Who’s hot, who’s not and all you need to know from Round 2 as Bryce Gibbs runs riot. The Advertiser takes you behind the scenes of Australia’s best state league competition.

Andrew Capel

@andrewcapel

3 min read

April 12, 2022 - 6:00AM

SANFL

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Three amazing comebacks - and the high-leaping exploits of Rooster Nigel Lockyer Jnr - highlghted a sensational round two in the SANFL, with Central District, Glenelg and South Adelaide storming home to win from deficits of 38, 34 and 28 points respectively.

Here’s all you need to know about an action-packed Round 2 before early-season pacesetters Adelaide and the Tigers - who lead The Advertiser power rankings - prepare for a Good Friday blockbuster at the Bay.

ROUND TWO SCOREBOARD

Woodville-West Torrens 12.11 (83) d Norwood 11.15 (81)

Glenelg 12.11 (83) d Sturt 11.9 (75)

Central District 13.15 (93) d West Adelaide 11.7 (73)

Adelaide 17.14 (116) d North Adelaide 11.12 (78)

South Adelaide 17.9 (111) d Port Adelaide 14.17 (101)

POWER RANKINGS

1. Adelaide

(2-0: Fielded 20 AFL-listed players in convincing 38-point round two win against North).

2. Glenelg

(2-0: Fought back from 34 points behind to beat a well-drilled Sturt outfit at Unley).

3. South

(2-0: Two strong comeback wins to start the season - the latest from 28 points behind against Port at Alberton).

4. Sturt

(1-1: Had Glenelg on toast but showing enough to suggest it is finals bound).

5. North Adelaide

(1-1: Lost six players from round one to injury and health and safety protocols. Say no more).

6. Eagles

(1-1: Premier is lucky to be 1-1 after thrilling two-point win against Norwood after having 20 fewer inside 50s).

7. Central

(1-1: Superb comeback from 38 points behind to beat West in first home game).

8. Norwood

(0-2: Suffered two tough, close losses against last year’s grand finalists Glenelg and the Eagles).

9. Port Adelaide

(0-2: Coughed up a 28-point third quarter lead against the Panthers to slump to 0-2).

10. West Adelaide

(0-2: Ran out of legs on the big Elizabeth Oval after encouraging first half display).

Former Port Adelaide AFL utility Hamish Hartlett launches West Adelaide into attack against Central District. Picture: Cory Sutton/SANFL

NUMBERS GAME

(Top 10 Champion Data ranking points)

Bryce Gibbs (South) 172

Riley Knight (Eagles) 153

Billy McCormack (Central) 149

Trent Dumont (Port) 141

Harry Boyd (Norwood) 137

Harrison Wigg (North) 137

Jye Menzie (South) 135

Jeremy Finlayson (Port) 131

Travis Schiller (Central) 130

Riley Thilthorpe (West) 130

THE STAT

Clearances from Central midfielder Jarrod Schiller against West.

North Adelaide excitement machine Nigel Lockyer Jnr dribbles through a goal against Adelaide at Prospect Oval. Picture: Morgan Sette

FLYING HIGH

(Mark of the week)

Nigel Lockyer Jnr (North Adelaide)

The Roosters’ high-flying Northern Territory recruit took two screamers in the second quarter against Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

Both were over the top of tall Crows defender James Borlase, illustrating Lockyer’s leaping prowess.

SAY WHAT

(Quotes of the week)

“What a great game of SANFL footy and I loved watching our boys play. We did so much right and when you play like that you will win more than you lose.’’

Norwood coach Jade Rawlings.

“Losing the players and the coach before the game because of Covid protocols is just part and parcel of the world we live in at the moment. We have to do our due diligence and try and take away that risk. But having those players out gave others a chance. Jacob Bauer (Sydney Swans Academy) had a really good game on debut (five goals). He is very good in the air and has a natural instinct to jump.’’

North football services manager Darryl Wintle.

“They never doubted themselves and never chucked in the towel at any stage. The boys have put it an enormous amount of work and it has given them a lot of belief in any situation.”

Central coach Paul Thomas.

Norwood coach Jade Rawlings addresses his charges. Picture: Brenton Edwards.

INSIDE WORD

Covid health and safety protocols continue to play havoc with the SANFL.

South and Central were forced to use stand-in coaches in round one when mentors Jarrad Wright and Paul Thomas were unable to attend their teams’ games because of Covid close contacts.

On Saturday, it was North’s turn, with senior coach Jacob Surjan forced to isolate at home, opening the door for head of development and reserves coach Darren Reeves to take the reins of the league team.

The Roosters, who caused the shock of round one by thumping premier Woodville-West Torrens at Woodville Oval, also had three players ruled out of Saturday’s home loss to Adelaide - round one hero Keenan Ramsey, Kym LeBois and Reed van Huisstede - because of health and safety protocols.