The SANFL flag hopes of the two AFL reserves sides could hinge on their AFL fortunes
Showdown between AFL clubs looms for SANFL finals, Norwood coach Jarrod Cotton annoyed with draw and son of gun kicks goal on siren to win reserves thriller. We wrap up another big weekend of state league action in Monday Recovery.
- Jenkins packs a punch where it matters
- Legs crush Double Blues to make statement
- Port’s perfect pre-finals tune-up
- Crows back on track, pile more pain on Bloods
The race for an AFL finals spot is set to have a massive influence on the SANFL major round with Adelaide and Port Adelaide battling to stay alive.
If the ladder positions for both leagues do not alter, the reserves teams for the two AFL clubs will meet in the qualifying final.
And the Power will have the option to play any AFL-listed player because they will be in an AFL elimination final. That means the likes of Scott Lycett, Charlie Dixon and Paddy Ryder can front. But the Crows can play only those listed players who have qualified by playing more SANFL games than AFL and at least three state league games after June 30, so blokes such as Josh Jenkins and Bryce Gibbs won’t be eligible.
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Both teams can play only 17 listed-placed in the finals, and that includes the marquee player, so Matt Wright is included in the Crows’ 17.
Should the Crows sneak into the AFL finals and the Power miss out, then the situation changes for their reserves teams.
As it stands now, and if the AFL stays true to last year’s schedule, the Power would play their elimination final before the second round of SANFL finals. If they lose their first final, those AFL-listed players who have not qualified for the state league major round must drop out.
Port coach Matt Lokan said despite the great unknown, the club was in a good spot.
“It’s a pretty good place to be at the moment,’’ Lokan said on SEN SA Breakfast on Monday.
“Everyone is playing well.
“If the AFL side are still playing finals we get access to a few more players, if they’re not there is some qualification stuff we’ve got to abide by.
“It’s pretty tight for a few guys, but we know that the side we put on the park will be competitive regardless of who’s playing.”
Lokan also paid tribute Scott Lycett, who like a host of big names who have been forced back into the SANFL, dominated the game and put himself back in the mix for senior selection.
“I think that’s a credit to all of out guys that have come back out of the AFL side,’’ Lokan said,
“They enjoying playing for the SANFL side, Scotty’s obviously got a really good connection being a Port Magpies junior.
“He was fantastic, he came with a positive attitude and hence I think half the reason why he played so well,’’ he said.
PLENTY ON THE LINE
There is only one guarantee for the state league finals with only two minor rounds remaining, Glenelg, the Crows and Port will be involved.
The Tigers have a stranglehold on the minor premiership, although top spot can still fall to the Crows or Port. Sturt’s loss to Norwood on Sunday means the Double Blues have yet to cement their spot.
South Adelaide can still qualify, but must win both games, make up some percentage and hope the Double Blues and Redlegs drop their two games. What cannot be ruled out is the Double Blues and Redlegs finishing in the top three.
Run home
Glenelg — West Adelaide (home), Sturt (away).
Adelaide — Eagles (a), South (a).
Port — Sturt (a), Central District (a).
Sturt — Port Adelaide (h), Glenelg (h).
Norwood — Central District (h), West Adelaide (a).
South Adelaide — North Adelaide (h), Adelaide (h).
SPOON STILL TO BE SERVED
The race for the wooden spoon is still alive as well.
The Bloods are just a point above the Roosters, but have inferior percentage, and they face the Tigers away and Redlegs at home. The Roosters take on the Panthers at Noarlunga Oval and Eagles at home.
SHORT TURNAROUND
Redlegs coach Jarrod Cotton took a swipe at the SANFL programming after his side got the job done in style against the Double Blues at Unley Oval on Sunday.
“We have a short turnaround and play Central on Friday night,” he noted. “That is hard game to come up against.
“They have had a 14-day break. I’m not overly impressed with the SANFL to be honest in making a 14-day to a five day which is probably a bit unreasonable.”
By the way, Redleg Ed Smart was unlucky to be penalised under the last possession rule 18 minutes into the second quarter. As he reached down to pick up the ball, he accidentally kicked the ball over the boundary. Read accidentally, it must be intentional to be penalised.
TOUMPAS RETURNS
Jimmy Toumpas has had a nightmare season in his return to the Eagles with ankle and hamstring issues keeping him on the sidelines for lengthy periods.
After missing the opening three rounds, Toumpas made five league appearances and averaged 25 possessions for the first four to show his importance to the side.
He left the fifth game against the Bulldogs early because of injury and missed seven rounds, before finally getting back on the paddock in the reserves against West Adelaide on Sunday. Toumpas had 21 touches for his three-quarters of action, kicked a goal, had seven tackles and recorded seven clearances.
Injuries have been a problem for the Eagles this season and they will miss their first finals series since 2008.
GOAL THE AIM
The Double Blues need to get in some much-needed goal kicking practice before they meet the Redlegs again.
In their two encounters against the Redlegs this season, they have kicked 12 goals and registered 31 behinds.
Maybe the Double Blues’ league side needs to follow the lead of Casey Voss. The son of Brisbane champion Michael, proved the hero for the Double Blues’ reserves when he nailed a brilliant goal from deep in the northern pocket on the final siren to get the side home by five points against the Redlegs.
RESULTS
Adelaide 15.15 (105) d West Adelaide 5.10 (40) at Richmond Oval.
Port Adelaide 18.14 (122) d Eagles 8.11 (59) at Alberton Oval.
Norwood 17.7 (109) d Sturt 6.14 (50) at Unley Oval.
GOALKICKERS
Liam McBean (Glenelg) 45
Luke Reynolds (Glenelg) 39
James Rowe (Eagles) 33
Josh Hone (Sturt) 31
Troy Menzel (Central) 29
Tyson Stengle (Adelaide) 28
Lewis Hender (North) 28
Mark Evans (Sturt) 28
DISPOSALS
Sam Colquhoun (Sturt) 470
Lewis Johnston (Norwood) 455
Travis Schiller (Central) 449
Kaine Stevens (West) 446
Jarred Almond (North) 426
Jarrod Schiller (Central) 418
Luke Partington (Glenelg) 416
Jordan Foote (Eagles) 408
TACKLES
Aidan Tropiano (North) 94
Cole Gerloff (Norwood) 91
Jordan Foote (Eagles) 91
Campbell Combe (North) 89
Brad Agnew (Glenelg) 86
Jarrod Schiller (Central) 86
Matt Crocker (Sturt) 85
Sam Colquhoun (Sturt) 84
Patrick Wilson (Adelaide) 84
ON THE BANDWAGON
Fortunately the red and blue scarf wasn’t too hard to find in the walk in robe. There was always that thought the Redlegs would come good and they are now showing their potential when free from too many injury worries.
OFF THE BANDWAGON
As Double Blues coach Nathan Grima noted, the game against the Redlegs was as good as done and dusted at quarter time. Sure, Redlegs captain Jace Bode had the wind blowing through his hair from behind, but the effort from the home side was disappointing.
RANKINGS
1: Norwood — the injury list has dwindled and the confidence has returned to the Redlegs. Their pressure and ball use was first class and they answered any Double Blues challenge with an emphatic response.
2: Port — there was little surprise at Alberton Oval given the home side is loaded with quality AFL talent and the injury-plagued Eagles are going like a busted you know what.
3: Adelaide — met resistance from the Bloods until three-quarter time and then went bang, bagging seven goals in the final term and restricting the home side to only two behinds.
4: West Adelaide — showed plenty of fight for the first three quarters, but is the way of the Bloods, they registered another term without a goal. They just cannot put together four quarters.
5: Sturt — failed to make a stand in the first quarter, before giving the Redlegs something to think about early in the second quarter. But the challenge was far too short.
6: Eagles — blown away early and never gave Port any concerns. They need to get players back from injury.
THIS WEEK
Friday
Norwood v Central District (Coopers Stadium, Norwood, 7.20pm)
Saturday
Glenelg v West Adelaide (ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg, 1.10pm)
Sunday
Eagles v Adelaide (Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville, 2.10pm)
South Adelaide v North Adelaide (Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga, 2.10pm)
Sturt v Port Adelaide (Peter Motley Oval, Unley, 2.10pm)