SANFL wrap: Suddenly Eagles are team to beat for flag

WOODVILLE-West Torrens’ response to its first round loss to West Adelaide has been emphatic. Warren Partland wraps up the first 12 rounds of SANFL action.

WOODVILLE-West Torrens’ response to its first round loss to West Adelaide has been emphatic.

On Saturday, the Eagles claimed their 10th successive win when they held off the fast-finishing Bloods in Richmond and are now two points clear of Norwood at the top of the ladder with superior percentage and a game in hand.

They have conquered every rival in the winning streak, including a victory at Alberton. But Eagles fans dreaming of another flag should be cautious — the club was in a similar position last season before fading badly. However, coach Michael Godden has adopted an altered game plan and believes he is piloting a more mature group this year.

The Redlegs, pursuing a fourth consecutive premiership, were coasting before dropping the past two games to lowly-placed Glenelg and Central District.

Adelaide has been more competitive in its second season as an SANFL member but like dangerously-lurking Port Adelaide, much hinges on their AFL content.

ADELAIDE

Ladder position: 9.

Predicted finish after minor round: 8.

The Crows promised to be a superior unit to last year and the past few weeks have proved their capabilities when loaded with substantial AFL-listed talent. After crushing Sturt, they seriously tested the Eagles before impressing with their first win at Alberton.

CENTRAL DISTRICT

Ladder position: 6.

Predicted finish after minor round: 5.

Forced to field plenty of inexperience and inconsistency in games — when skills were poor — was an issue. But the trademark fighting spirit has been there and the Bulldogs have put themselves in contention to climb into the top five with a win over Norwood at The Parade on Saturday.

GLENELG

Ladder position: 8.

Predicted finish after minor round: 7.

The Tigers have been competitive in each game apart from the belting from West Adelaide in round seven. Finally produced a four-quarter effort with the win over Norwood last week before using a blistering opening term to overcome Sturt on Saturday. Playing with plenty of passion.

NORTH ADELAIDE

Ladder position: 10.

Predicted finish after minor round: 10.

The wheels have completely fallen off at Prospect. The injury-plagued Roosters have not won since their opening game against Adelaide. They sacked coach Ken McGregor and the two games since have been losses by 99 points to Central District and 76 points to West Adelaide.

NORWOOD

Ladder position: 2.

Predicted finish after minor round: 3.

Smashed by the Eagles at Woodville in their third game, the Redlegs bounced back to win their next seven. But the Redlegs have been beaten by Glenelg and Central District in the past two weeks and they looked sore and tired against the Bulldogs on Saturday. Plenty of depth, however, and they will seriously challenge for a fourth successive title.

PORT ADELAIDE

Ladder position: 4.

Predicted finish after minor round: 2.

The side has struggled for consistency for much of the season and it has ridden a roller-coaster ride in games. The most complete performance was a 50-point win over West Adelaide in round nine. As with Adelaide, much hinges on the AFL players available and on Saturday there was the scary potential to play 19 Power players in the postponed game against North Adelaide.

SOUTH ADELAIDE

Ladder position: 5.

Predicted finish after minor round: 6.

The concern for the Panthers is not having beaten a team above them on the ladder. They lost some key personnel after last season and the absence of ruckman Keegan Brooksby has especially hurt. A spot in the finals could come down to the last minor round contest against Central District at home.

STURT

Ladder position: 7.

Predicted finish after minor round: 9.

The Double Blues have lost their past five games and face the Eagles, Port, West and Central in their next four games. They trailed by 41 points at quarter-time at Glenelg on Saturday, only to lose by five. So they have the ability — but are finals now out of the equation?

WEST ADELAIDE

Ladder position: 3.

Predicted finish after minor round: 4.

The Bloods opened with a come-from-behind win over the Eagles and then set up their season by winning seven of their next eight games. They are playing aggressive, attacking football as evident by their record as easily the most prolific scoring side. Their cause is being helped by limited injuries.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS

Ladder position: 1.

Predicted finish after minor round: 1.

After losing to West Adelaide in their first game, they have been the dominant side with 10 successive wins. There is plenty of depth at the Eagles and they have adapted to a new game style extremely well. The Eagles are three games clear of fourth so a top-three finish is already within reach.