SANFL premiership: Bloods to regain class acts for grand final clash against Eagles

THE injury clouds hanging over Richmond Oval have cleared completely and West Adelaide will be strengthened at both ends of the ground for the SANFL grand final.

THE injury clouds hanging over Richmond Oval have cleared completely and West Adelaide will be strengthened at both ends of the ground for the SANFL grand final showdown against Woodville-West Torrens at Adelaide Oval Sunday.

Key defender Adam Hartlett declared himself a certain starter while Aaron Fielke will give the Bloods another attacking weapon. The midfield gets some more run following the return of Taite Silverlock and Logan Hill returns from concussion.

“I will be playing, 100 per cent,’’ said Hartlett, who missed last week’s convincing preliminary final victory over Central District due to a thigh injury.

“I was worried when the injury occurred (in the second semi-final loss to the Eagles), initially I thought it was a knee. There was a tear in the quad but I was able to get through the game.

“I had a little bit of discomfort but you put up with that to try and win premierships. I’ve been running at full speed since Monday night.’’

The presence of Hartlett is crucial given the Eagles’ attack includes three-times Ken Farmer Medallist Michael Wundke and Andrew Ainger.

This will be the sixth meeting of the two clubs this year following two pre-season contests, two minor-round games and the second semi-final.

Hartlett has been used on either Wundke or Ainger in each encounter.

The Bloods crushed the Bulldogs last week but they won’t be given the same latitude by the minor premier.

“We have prepared to play the Eagles, not celebrated beating the Bulldogs,’’ Bloods coach Mark Mickan said. “It has been much about taking on the team which has been the dominant force in the competition this year.’’

As for the Eagles losing key personnel because of injury, Mickan said there was huge respect for their opponent no matter who took the field.

“They are a very good squad so whoever they bring in will be a quality player, I have made that very clear to our side,’’ Mickan said.

While the Eagles will use the AFL’s spacious away changerooms, the Bloods must contend with the vastly smaller cricket rooms. The changerooms used by Adelaide and Port Adelaide will be vacant.

Typical of Mickan, he shrugged off the changeroom issue.

“We’d prefer a bigger room but we have made arrangements around that,’’ he said.

Those arrangements include a walk through the crowd to warm up on Adelaide Oval No. 2.