Woodville-West Torrens has all but cemented top spot on the SANFL ladder with a gutsy win over North Adelaide
WOODVILLE-West Torrens has moved five wins clear on top of the SANFL ladder after overcoming a plucky North Adelaide on Saturday.
WOODVILLE-West Torrens has all but sewn up top spot - but not without fight from a plucky North Adelaide which almost caused an upset against the league-leaders on Saturday.
The Eagles were made to work hard for their 11.14 (80) to 7.8 (50) victory at Prospect Oval, which has put them five wins ahead of second-placed Port Adelaide with four minor rounds left.
Woodville-West Torrens coach Michael Godden said there was still plenty his side could improve on after being pushed by the ninth-placed Roosters for the first three quarters.
“We are happy, but we are not playing as well as we’d like,” Godden said.
“North certainly put us under a lot of pressure, but the players in the end got there which is what we seem to be doing most weeks.”
The lead changed hands half a dozen times in the first and second term as both sides wrestled back the ascendancy with a strong attack on the ball at each stoppage.
But ultimately, Woodville-West Torrens’ class shone through in the final term, in which the side kicked 3.6 to the Roosters’ one goal, leading to its 13th victory.
Eagles forwards Jake Johansen and Nick Hayes combined for seven goals, while
Scott Lewis (25 possessions) and James Boyd (24 touches, five marks) also played well.
Max Thring (26 disposals, seven marks) and Brayden Kirk’s (22 disposals, eight marks) work at the stoppages was outstanding for the home side and they gave North’s forwards plenty of supply.
Roosters coach Josh Carr said his side’s defensive efforts in the final quarter were disappointing.
“I guess we played pretty good footy for three quarters,” Carr said.
“(But) pushing them doesn’t mean much to me to be honest.
“I just thought defensively we struggled and we just have to be able to defend one-on-one when we have to.”
The match went goal-for-goal in the second term, but two quick majors to Jake Johansen put Woodville-West Torrens ahead by eight points at the main break.
North continued to threaten and showed plenty of effort, managing to reel themselves in each time the Eagles threatened up until three-quarter time.
But the Eagles made better use of their opportunities, while the Roosters eventually crumbled under pressure.
North’s debutant ruckman Jordon Sweet battled hard but was outclassed by Jordan West, who won the hit-outs 39-30.
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS 2.4 6.6 8.8 11.14 (80)
NORTH ADELAIDE 2.2 5.4 6.8 7.8 (50).
BEST - Woodville-West Torrens: Johansen, Lewis, Hall, N Hayes
North Adelaide: Thring, Schwarz, Kirk, McKenzie, Clisby
GOALS - Woodville-West Torrens: N Hayes 4, Johansen 3, Boyd, West, Gaffney, Minney
North Adelaide: Quinn 2, Minervini, Corbett, Thring, Olekalns, Sweet
Umpires: Hundertmark, Medlin, Galletly