SANFL Round 5: State squad revealed, Blues stay red hot, plus the stats that matter
Blues, Tigers and Roosters players dominate this year’s state selections – we reveal the full squad in our Round 5 SANFL weekly wrap as Sturt equals a 1978 record.
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Unbeaten Sturt and high-flying Glenelg and North Adelaide dominate representation in this year’s SANFL State squad, boasting 21 of the 32 players between them.
All three clubs have had seven players selected in the squad, which will be trimmed to 23 for the annual clash against Western Australia at Adelaide Oval on Friday, May 19.
The white-hot Double Blues, who sit top and are off to their first 5-0 start to a season since 1978, are well represented by midfielders Tom Lewis, Patrick Wilson and Martin Frederick, defenders Will Coomblas, Connor McFadyen and Casey Voss and small forward Josh Hone.
All eight stand-alone SANFL clubs have at least one player in the squad.
There are no representatives from AFL-aligned clubs Adelaide and Port Adelaide.
Three ace off-season interstate recruits – McFadyen (Sturt from Brisbane), Noah Casalini (North from GWS VFL) and Jez McLennan (Central District from Gold Coast) – have been named.
Illustrating premier Norwood’s fall from grace this season is that it has only one player in the squad – last year’s Jack Oatey Medallist Harry Boyd.
The winless Redlegs sit rock bottom after five rounds with a dismal percentage of 35.9.
South Adelaide Magarey Medallist Bryce Gibbs could not be considered after breaking his thumb in the first quarter against Glenelg on Saturday.
North Magarey Medallist Campbell Combe was unavailable for selection.
New State coach Jade Rawlings said he was delighted with the talent and depth of the squad.
“It’s strong,’’ he said.
“We’ve had a lot of eyeballs on all games right through the trial period onwards and we’ll continue to give everyone the best opportunity to be selected in round six this weekend.
“It’s pretty obvious looking at the quality of players in the squad that it’s going to be really tough to narrow it down to a final 23.’’
The squad will assemble for training for the first time at Thebarton Oval on Tuesday night.
SANFL STATE SQUAD
Billy Iles, Jez McLennan (Central); Matthew Allen, Darcy Bailey, Lachie Hosie, Liam McBean, Cameron McGree, Max Proud, Brett Turner (Glenelg); Noah Casalini, Cameron Craig, Mitch Harvey, Harrison Magor, Keenan Ramsey, Frank Szekely, Harrison Wigg (North); Harry Boyd (Norwood); Mitch O’Neill, Sam Skinner, Eamon Wilkinson (South Adelaide); Will Coomblas, Martin Frederick, Josh Hone, Tom Lewis, Connor McFadyen, Patrick Wilson, Casey Voss (Sturt); Josh Ryan (West Adelaide); Connor Ballenden, Mitch Hardie, James Rowe, Joseph Sinor (Woodville-West Torrens).
ROUND 5 SCOREBOARD
Central District 8.12 (60) d West Adelaide 7.7 (49)
Adelaide 13.10 (88) d North Adelaide 5.11 (41)
Glenelg 13.8 (86) d South Adelaide 6.9 (45)
Port 8.10 (58) d Norwood 7.9 (51)
Sturt 12.15 (87) d Woodville-West Torrens 10.5 (65)
POWER RANKINGS
1. Sturt:
(5-0: Convincing win against the Eagles on the road gave Sturt its first 5-0 start since 1978. Faces a huge game against second-placed Adelaide at home on Saturday).
2. Adelaide:
(4-1: Flexed its enormous muscle by thumping premiership contender North by 47 points at Prospect Oval. Now Sturt awaits).
3. Glenelg:
(4-1: Made it four wins on the trot with a convincing victory against South at Noarlunga. New coach Darren Reeves’ emphasis on improving the Tigers’ defence is paying early dividends).
4. North Adelaide:
(3-2: Ran into a red-hot Crows outfit at Prospect and now faces another huge clash against Glenelg at the Bay where it could welcome back star midfielders Harrison Wigg and Aaron Young).
5. Central District:
(3-2: Broke West’s heart early and then held on when the gallant Bloods stormed home late. At 3-2 and playing consistent footy, the Dogs are one of the 2023 surprise packets).
6. South Adelaide:
(2-3: Has lost three straight and will be without Magarey Medallist Bryce Gibbs for some time after he broke his thumb in the loss to Glenelg. Needs to bounce back hard against Port this week).
7. Woodville-West Torrens:
(1-4: Finally played its first home game of the season on the weekend but found unbeaten Sturt too good. Has lost four straight and is already losing touch with the top teams).
8. Port Adelaide:
(2-3: Back-to-back wins for Port after a courageous come-from-behind victory against arch rival Norwood at Alberton on Saturday. Some young, improving AFL-listed players have been influential in the two-game winning streak).
9. West Adelaide:
(1-4: Blown away by Central early at Elizabeth but finished the game full of running to close to within 11 points. New coach Adam Hartlett has added some steel to the Bloods).
10. Norwood:
(0-5: Lost a late lead against Port to slump to its fifth consecutive defeat and remain winless this season. Has been hit badly by injuries but it’s still a shocking fall from grace for the reigning premier).
NUMBERS GAME
(Top 12 Champion Data ranking points)
Billy McCormack (Central) 173
James Battersby (Sturt) 161
Daniel Fahey-Sparks (Sturt) 147
Hugh Jackson (Port) 142
Campbell Combe (North) 140
Nik Rokahr (Norwood) 138
Josh Worrell (Adelaide) 132
Cam McGree (Glenelg) 132
Sam Skinner (South) 130
Leyton Chisholm (Central) 1 130
Alex Spina (Norwood) 129
Matthew Allen (Glenelg) 129
THE STAT
4
Goals in the final quarter by Glenelg’s Lachie Hosie against South Adelaide at Noarlunga Oval.
FLYING HIGH
Mark of the week
Daniel Fahey-Sparks (Sturt)
The Double Blues big man took a strong, one-handed mark in the first quarter against Woodville-West Torrens as Sturt made it five wins in a row to start the season for the first time since 1978.
SAY WHAT
Quotes of the week
“Last year we were in the mix a few times and teams started to talk about us. Now we have a different mentality with the group where they understand where we sit in the whole scheme of the competition. We take on being the hunted, but we also talk about us blokes hunting as well.’’
Sturt coach Martin Mattner
“I felt we were going to be able to get it looking like this but I thought it would take a bit longer. We’re still not anywhere near where we want to be but five games in I’m really pleased with what it looks like at the moment.’’
Glenelg coach Darren Reeves on his side’s defensive work
“We are probably lacking in the mind a little at the moment in terms of the belief we know we can play four good quarters. It is a hard position to be in, probably have not been here for a while. The only way is to work hard and grind your way out and all do it together.’’
Eagles coach Jade Sheedy
“I honestly feel if he was playing for one of the top four clubs over the last few years, he’d get a lot more recognition. He’s had an outstanding start to the season. As an opposition key forward, he wouldn’t be much fun to play on. I’d love to get him and Kaiden Brand working together – I think that would be pretty formidable for most opposition forward lines.”
West coach Adam Hartlett on full back Josh Ryan
“Every time the ball was in his area something good was happening. He plays with a lot of verve and spirit and is a bouncy player. It was a good debut for him.”
Norwood coach Jade Rawlings on debutant Goy Lok
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ROUND 5
BULLDOGS v BLOODS
Steven Barrett’s votes
3 – Billy McCormack (CD)
2 – Josh Ryan (WA)
1 – Jez McLennan (CD)
ROOSTERS v CROWS
Gordon Armstrong’s votes
3 – Andrew McPherson (Adel)
2 – Patrick Parnell (Adel)
1 – Alex Spina (NA)
PANTHERS v TIGERS
Andrew Capel’s votes
3 – Matthew Allen (Glen)
2 – Toby Pink (Glen)
1 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)
MAGPIES v REDLEGS
Luke Marchioro’s votes
3 – Hugh Jackson (PA)
2 – Tom Clurey (PA)
1 – Nik Rokahr (Norw)
EAGLES v DOUBLE BLUES
Warren Partland’s votes
3 – James Battersby (Sturt)
2 – Connor Ballenden (WWT)
1 – Casey Voss (Sturt)
LEADERBOARD
7 – Campbell Combe (NA)
7 – Mitch Hardie (WWT)
6 – James Battersby (Sturt)
6 – Patrick Wilson (Sturt)
6 – Jackson Hately (Adel)
6 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)
6 – Jez McLennan (CD)
5 – Tom Lewis (Sturt)
4 – Harry Schoenberg (Adel)
4 – Harrison Wigg (NA)
4 – Callum Park (WA)
4 – Hugh Jackson (PA)
4 – Andrew McPherson (Adel)
3 – Trent Dumont (PA)
3 – Sam Skinner (SA)
3 – Steven Slimming (Sturt)
3 – James Rowe (WWT)
3 – Harry Grant (CD)
3 – Noah Casalini (NA)
3 – Luke Redfern (WA)
3 – Corey Lyons (Glen)
3 – Matthew Allen (Glen)
3 – Billy McCormack (CD)
SHARPSHOOTERS
Leading goalkickers
19 – Lachie Hosie (Glen)
13 – Zach Sproule (SA)
11 – Keenan Ramsey (NA)
11 – Josh Hone (Sturt)
11 – Connor Ballenden (WWT)
10 – Tariek Newchurch (Adel)
10 – Liam Delahunty (WA)
10 – Jono Beech (WA)
10- Luke Reynolds (Glen)
9 – Noah Casalini (NA)
9 – Josh Gore (WA)
UP NEXT
Round 6 games
Eagles v Central (Woodville Oval), Sat, May 13, 2.10pm
Glenelg v North (Stratarama Stadium), Sat, May 13, 2.10pm
Norwood v West (Centenary Oval, Port Lincoln), Sat, May 13, 2.10pm
Sturt v Adelaide (Wigan Oval), Sat, May 13, 2.30pm
Port v South (Alberton Oval), Sun, May 14, 2.10pm
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