South Adelaide favoured to grab spot in the finals with two rounds to be contested
NERVOUS times ahead for South Adelaide in its quest to return to finals, Josh Glenn misses homecoming and draft hopes show up. All this and more in our Monday Recovery wrap of the split Round 17.
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NERVOUS times ahead for South Adelaide in its quest to return to finals, Josh Glenn misses homecoming and draft hopes show up. All this and more in our Monday Recovery wrap of the split Round 17.
RACE STILL ON
There is still a race for the top five and Glenelg and West Adelaide fans can have their dreams, maybe just a daydream.
Maths was my strong suit at school and mathematically those two clubs can still qualify for the finals. But they must win both games and rely on South Adelaide losing to the top two clubs Woodville-West Torrens and Norwood.
Oh, and there is the small matter of the Panthers’ huge percentage advantage.
One certainty from the weekend is Central District cannot repeat heroics from recent years and sneak into the five.
Norwood has the minor premiership at its mercy, the Eagles are in the box seat for a top three berth and Sturt will likely join them with the double chance after its win against the Panthers.
NO WELCOME HOME
It was a shame Norwood’s Josh Glenn pulled out of the game against Central District at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.
The reaction from the Bulldogs’ faithful to his presence in a Redlegs jumper would have been interesting given the manner he walked out on the club at the end of last season. He was then sacked by nearby Willaston before playing a game with the club after being charged with aggravated assault for an incident in Gawler which is still before the courts.
Glenn withdrew from the contest with the Redlegs citing the flu. They hope to get him back for the game against North Adelaide at The Parade on Friday night.
The Redlegs are less optimistic with defender Michael Talia and he should be back for the final round against the Panthers at Noarlunga Oval.
BOMBS AWAY
No doubt South Adelaide’s Tom Fields is operating under instruction, but from a fan’s point of view it is frustrating to watch him try and pinpoint those short passes.
The bloke can boot the thing 150m against the wind (okay, slight exaggeration but you get the point) and we just want to see him blast it downfield and put defences under the pump. It is even more annoying when the short pass does not come off.
STAND BY
We turned up at Elizabeth Oval ready for a 1.10pm start as programmed.
At 1.13pm, four-times Bulldogs premiership player Andrew Hayes interviewed former teammate and Dogs captain Trent Goodrem for Channel 7.
At 1.14pm, there was the coin toss. And at 1.16pm the game started. If body language is a guide, a few players weren’t impressed standing around waiting for a start in the cold conditions.
DRAFT HOPE
Fields’ teammate Nathan Kreuger missed out in last year’s national draft.
He is probably better placed to earn a spot on an AFL list this year and that was no more evident than his efforts against Sturt at Noarlunga Oval on Sunday.
Just a few minutes into the contest, he showed huge courage to follow the flight of the ball and take a strong pack mark. And then nail the set shot.
Another draft hopeful Hugo Munn had little influence for the Double Blues. But his strong mark and goal late in the third quarter showcased his talents.
ROUND 17 RESULTS
Second weekend of split round
Norwood 12.13 (85) d Central District 6.6 (42) at Elizabeth Oval.
Sturt 11.6 (72) d South Adelaide 8.11 (59) at Noarlunga Oval.
Eagles 16.10 (106) d Adelaide 9.7 (61) at Woodville Oval.
First weekend
West Adelaide 12.15 (87) d Port Adelaide 9.7 (61) at Richmond Oval
Glenelg 8.8 (56) d North Adelaide 8.5 (53) at Prospect Oval
LADDER
1: Norwood 26 (58.4%)
2: Eagles 23 (56.1)
3: Sturt 22 (55.3)
4: North Adelaide 20 (52.8)
5: South Adelaide 18 (55.7)
6: Glenelg 14 (47.7)
7: West Adelaide 14 (45.9)
8: Central District 12 (47.1)
9: Port Adelaide 9 (43.6)
10: Adelaide 2 (37.5)
GOALKICKERS
Mark Evans (Sturt) 37
Josh Scott (Glenelg) 33
Terry Milera (Glenelg) 31
Jack Hayes (Eagles) 29
John Butcher (Central) 29
Lewis Hender (North) 29
Nick Hayes (Eagles) 27
Mitch Grigg (Norwood) 26
Matthew Panos (Norwood) 26
Mason Middleton (West) 26
ON THE BANDWAGON
There was a healthy contingent of Norwood supporters at Elizabeth Oval so seats on the Redlegs’ bandwagon are getting hard to find. But I’m sitting right next to either Griggy or Matt Panos because one of them will earn the BOG medal on September 23.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
This week I’m changing tact and jumping well clear of that bandwagon containing anyone who questions the quality of development pathways at the SANFL clubs.
RANKINGS
1: Norwood — Was not even at its best, or at full strength, and still won by 43 points at Elizabeth Oval for a 12th successive victory.
2: Eagles — Did what was necessary to get the win over Adelaide (in front of a big crowd too). Jared Petrenko and angry Angus Poole got to celebrate their 100th games with a win.
3: Sturt — Was forced to fight for the points against a plucky Panthers outfit. Double Blues coach Marty Mattner reckons it was one of the club’s best wins for the season.
4: South Adelaide — Seriously challenged the Double Blues. Will rue wasting a domination of the first quarter when it could not convert on the scoreboard. There was still plenty to like about the Panthers and the way they went about it.
5: Central District — Had a crack, but simply found Norwood too good. Good to see Luke Habel jump off the gravy train and get his head back in the game.
6: Adelaide — Jad a very competitive opening quarter and a handy final term. Outplayed in the middle two quarters.
THIS WEEK
Friday night
Norwood v North Adelaide (Coopers Stadium, Norwood, 7.20pm)
Saturday
Sturt v West Adelaide (Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 1.10pm)
Eagles v South Adelaide (Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval, Woodville, 2.10pm)
Glenelg v Adelaide (Gliderol Stadium, Glenelg, 2.10pm)
Sunday
Port Adelaide v Central District (Alberton Oval, 1.10pm)
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The stage is set for an epic battle between two of the traditional SANFL clubs. Download your Grand Final posters here.
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