- May 8, 2001
- 5,684
- 840
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
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- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
We've been quite fortunate here in Adelaide this season weather wise, while we have had some rather gloomy looking skies it hasn't really impacted the quality of play that much. This past weekend was one of the prime examples of lousy looking conditions, but ol' Mother Nature was only up there going "sike!". However it did make a huge impact crowd-wise on one match in particular and will probably be the subject of much derision from a good deal of SA footy-heads. But that wasn't the only shocker from this weekend as a couple of teams were on the receiving end of some almighty reality checks, which is probably a good thing as well given that we're coming into the final third of the season plus another weekend off prior to the last three rounds upcoming. At the end of last week the Redlegs leaped back into pole position on the league ladder, thanks to a percentage boosting victory over their old rivals. Not much else changed for the other four in the top five, though the gap between those up there and which lies below was about to narrow a touch at the end of this week's proceedings.
Welcome to the Round 12 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
The football action would begin with four games on the Saturday afternoon, the first taking us to the harbour of Port Adelaide and into the Alberton Oval where the Magpies took on the Bulldogs. Amazingly these sides hadn't clashed this season until now, in 2023 when they last fought at Queen Street in Round 9 the Dogs couldn't take advantage of the 'Pies inaccuracy as they went down by 23 points. But then the Bulldogs ended the Magpies season over the course of two consecutive weeks, with a come-from-behind 15-point win in Round 18 at the Ponderosa, then the Elimination Final at Adelaide Oval by seven points. Port were brought crashing back down to earth by the Redlegs in their 83-point hammering at The Parade, while the Dogs came off their bye after a win against South at home. Despite the rain staying away, the turnout was probably the worst in Alberton's history with just under 1000 fronting up. The Magpies seemed to have the Dogs measure early, but couldn't make too much impact on the board with a 1.3 to 0.2 opening term to lead by seven points at the first change. Centrals shook off the week-off webs in the second term, only one last major to the 'Pies allowed them to stay in the lead at the long break. The Dogs kicked 4.2 to 3.3, bringing the gap back to a mere two points come half-time. The Magpies' spirited first half would then go straight to hell when play resumed, the Bulldogs finding another gear to ram through 6.1 to the home side's three behinds. At three quarter-time, the Dogs now led by 32 points. Port managed to find the big sticks again in the final quarter, but the Dogs held firm despite being outscored 3.2 to 2.1. It was one of their most efficient second half displays since Round 4 where they kicked 14.6, they would leave the Magpies nest with a 25-point victory as well as lifting to third on the league ladder. Aiden Grace did plenty with what he could muster, named best for the Bulldogs with 15 disposals, eight marks and three goals. Dante Visentini was by far Port's best afield with 44 hit-outs in ruck, 19 disposals, seven tackles and marks as well as five clearances.
We now go from the north west to the inner north for game number two, the Roosters hosting the Eagles at the Prospect Oval. It was a horrid afternoon when the Roosters went to Oval Avenue in Round 2 where they were handed a 92-point smashing. The Eagles kicked 10 goals in the first half, then another 11 in the second while the Roosters limped to seven goals total. That demolition brought ended a five-game losing streak against North, that one effort making up more than 3/4 of the combined total losing margins of those games. The Roosters put in a decent showing against the Blues at Unley last week, but fell short by two goals. The Eagles on the other hand, came off the bye after handing the Crows a 53-point hiding at Adelaide Oval two weeks ago. With that in mind, many would have been forgiven for thinking that the Eagles' afternoon was not going to be overly difficult and going by the Roosters' opening term effort it wasn't hard to go on the assumption it was going to be another long day. North kicked five straight minor scores, but they kept the Eagles relatively quiet up until the last couple of minues where they got two goals. At quarter-time, the Eagles led by seven points. But soon enough, the Roosters showed how much they wanted to make up for that dismal outing at Woodville. They didn't set the game alight, but kept the usually attacking Eagles to just 1.1 for more than 16 minutes. In the meantime they had scored 2.3, momentarily taking the lead until a late major put the visitors ahead again by five points at the long break. From here the Roosters overwhelmed the Eagles with unrelenting vigour, though their accuracy was keeping the game well in the balance going into the three quarter-time huddles. The Roosters outscored them 3.3 to 1.2, that lone Eagles major coming late to make it an eight-point gap to the home side at the final change. North continued to pepper their sticks in the final term, getting more of the ball and while they still put many chances wide the Eagles didn't have much left in the tank to respond in kind. As a result, North closed the gap between them and the Eagles on the ladder to two games, their 3.4 to 1.1 seeing them home by 23 points. Campbell Combe was North's undisputed standout, racking up 39 disposals, 13 clearances and 10 tackles. Eagles captain Joe Sinor was their best on ground with 20 disposals, nine tackles and winning four free kicks.
The Saturday arvo footy-fest continues as we go from the north side to the south side, to the leafy surrounds of Unley and into the Thomas Farms Oval where the Double Blues played the Bloods. The Blues have not dropped points to the Bloods since early 2016, winning the last 16 games. These are another two sides that haven't clashed this season, both games won by one straight kick. The Bloods blew it big time in Round 8 at Oxford Terrace, they were more efficient but not desperate like Sturt were, going from a goal down at the final change to four-point winners. Then in difficult conditions at Richmond in Round 12, they merely outlasted the Bloods to win by a goal. The Blues were given a fright at home by the Roosters last week but prevailed by two goals, while the Bloods saw out the mid-year period with a loss to the Tigers. The Unley deck was quite slippery, but there wasn't to be repeat of last year's slog and spoiler alert, no upsets here. The Bloods would manage a solitary point in the opening quarter, the Blues kicking to a 21-point first change lead after scoring 3.4. The second quarter was the only time that Westies put any kind of pressure on the Blues, chipping a goal off that gap by the long break with the last major of the half. The Bloods managed 2.2 to Sturt's 1.2, the deficit back to 15 points come half-time. The Bloods were reduced to being spectators in the third quarter, held scoreless while the home side added 3.3 to take their lead to six goals by three quarter-time. The Bloods had a little bit of a dominant period with the ball for most of the final quarter, they actually managed five scoring shots but only one of them finding their way through the big sticks and three were rushed through. That minor spark could definitely be classed as a "what could have been" as the Blues put the rubber stamp on it in the finish, kicking 3.1 to run out 45-point winners and extending the streak to 17 straight victories over the visitors. Will Snelling could be considered a big chance for the Magarey Medal this year, he was Sturt's best with 34 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances. Kobe Ryan is a likely chance for the Bloods' B&F, he finidhed with 20 disposals, 16 tackles and six clearances.
The last game for the traditional Saturday afternoon takes us out to the seaside and into the Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg where the Tigers clashed with the Crows. These teams last met back in Round 3, the Tigers emerging victorious by 38 points at Brighton Road. They kicked 15 goals to four over three quarters, only dropping their intensity in the final term where Adelaide were able to make the final margin a little less horrid. Last week the Tigers put the Bloods away early with an 11-goal first half to win by 52 points. The Crows came off their mid-season bye after a heavy loss to the Eagles two rounds previous, going down by 53 points at Adelaide Oval. But this time, the Crows came to the Tigers' den with a stacked line-up, 16 AFL-listed players including a returning impact player that had been out since pre-season. A lower than normal crowd turned up in the average conditions, around half of what we have normally seen at the Bay. With the breeze in their favour to start with, the Crows pantsed the reigning premiers with a 6.1 to 1.2 opening quarter to shock the local faithful, going into the first change with a 29-point lead. Even more shocking was the Bays' accuracy in the second term with that same wind, skewing chance after chance for a return of 1.6. Four of those behinds were in succession to close the half as well as having 16 forward entires for that second period. Adelaide's 2.1 allowed them to retain their five-kick advantage going into the long break. Glenelg were now looking almost like imposters if you looked at where they were sitting on the league ladder at the time, despite having most of their premiership brigade on field. Adelaide resumed their earlier dominance on the scoreboard when play resumed, breaking the game open by kicking six of the next seven goals. Glenelg managed a couple more before the three quarter-time siren, with missed shots counted as well the Crows were now out to an eight-goal lead. It would end as a dirty day in front of the sticks for the Tigers, who could only lessen the margin of defeat in the end. It was a complete role-reversal from that earlier encounter, the Crows running out 39-point winners after a 1.2 to 2.5 final quarter. Brodie Smith was named best afield for Adelaide with 27 disposals, eight marks and five tackles, while the Tigers named Corey Lyons with 19 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances.
Finally we head down to the outer southern suburbs for the only Sunday afternoon game for the week, the Panthers taking on the Redlegs at the Flinders University Stadium in Noarlunga. Its amazing that being so deep into the season that these are another two teams that haven't faced off until now, with the Redlegs taking out both games from 2023. In Round 9 it took a big third quarter to ensure the result, running out to a 10-kick lead before the Panthers gave them a decent shake in the final term, leaving Noarlunga 23-point winners. It was a lot closer in Round 16 as South almost pulled off a heist at The Parade, slashing a five-kick three quarter-time deficit to come within a hair's breadth of victory before going down by two points. The Panthers came back from the bye after a horrid outing at the Ponderosa, while Norwood got a big percentage boost with their hammering of the 'Pies last week. The typical Noarlunga conditions came to the fore this day -- though it outdrew the game at Alberton funnily enough -- reducing the match to an all out scrap that ordinarily suits the blue & whites. But even they had trouble finding the goals, scoring 2.4 to the Redlegs' 1.2. South by eight points at quarter-time. It was the Redlegs' turn at that end of the ground in the second term and it was their turn to kick a bag of minor scores with five consecutive behinds. They did, however, nail the only goal of the quarter prior to time-on while the Panthers got just one behind. At half-time the 'Legs had a two-point lead. Norwood started to assert some dominance with attack after attack in the third term, but were still having trouble getting goals in the trying conditions. South would still be well within strike going into the final change, the visitors scoring 2.5 to 2.2 to stretch their lead to seven points come three quarter-time. But unfortunately for the home side, they had nothing left in the final term as the 'Legs put the foot on their throats, ramming through five unanswered goals along with two minors to run out 39-point winners. Baynen Lowe was best for the Redlegs with 28 disposals, 15 tackles and winning three free kicks, while the Panthers voted in Kobe Mutch with 30 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 12 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday June 29
Central District 12.6 (78)
Port Adelaide 7.11 (53)
966 @ Alberton Oval
North Adelaide 8.15 (63)
Woodville-West Torrens 6.4 (40)
1,315 @ Prospect Oval
Sturt 10.10 (70)
West Adelaide 3.7 (25)
1,514 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Adelaide 15.6 (96)
Glenelg 7.15 (57)
1,477 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Sunday June 30
Norwood 9.16 (70)
South Adelaide 4.7 (31)
1,180 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
INJURIES
Central -- Dittmar (knee)
W-WT -- Pearce (ankle), Weckert (quad), Toole (foot)
Sturt -- Perez, Reschke (hamstring), Newman (concussion)
West -- Morrish (elbow)
Adelaide -- Gallagher (hamstring)
South -- Howes, Douglass (shoulder), Goldie (hamstring)
REPORTS
Central -- Little (rough conduct)
North -- Grubb (rough conduct)
W-WT -- Beattie (rough conduct)
LEAGUE LADDER
-----------------------------------------------------
Norwood -- 18pts (9-2-0), 57.8%
Sturt -- 16pts (8-3-0), 59.9%
Central -- 16pts (8-3-0), 54.8%
Glenelg -- 16pts (8-3-0), 54.2%
W-WT -- 14pts (7-4-0), 57%
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North -- 10pts (5-6-0), 49.5%
West -- 8pts (4-7-0), 46.1%
Adelaide -- 6pts (3-8-0), 44.4%
South -- 4pts (2-9-0), 41.8%
Port -- 2pts (1-10-0), 37.3%
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CROWEATER COLTS BURIED BY METRO
South Australia's U-18 campaign was brought to a horrid end last Sunday at the hands of a Victoria Metro outfit on a mission at Alberton Oval in the final outing of the AFL U-18 National Championship series. The Croweaters would finish with a 1-3 record with their opening round game against the Allies their only highlight. SA were competitive early, the scores tied at 3.2 each at quarter-time before the Vics peppered their goals in the second term to lead by eight points at the long break. Metro were a class above in the second half though, with an efficient third term where they outscored SA 5.1 to 2.1, before putting the nail in the Croweaters' 2024 coffin with a 4.3 final term where SA managed just one behind. The two Victorian teams will face off in a fortnight's time, which will likely decide this year's champion. Ben Camporeale will no doubt be in the crosshairs of the AFL clubs, he managed 29 disposals and seven marks, while Dyson Sharp had six clearances, while overall best for the match was ruckman Alex Dodson -- a third honour in succession -- with 18 hit-outs.
Victoria Metro 15.11 (101) def. South Australia 7.7 (49)
WOMEN'S DIVISION -- Redlegs on collision course with Panthers for flag
Two quarters of football where the Redlegs held the Tigers scoreless would prove the difference as they won the Preliminary Final and the right to face South Adelaide in next week's Women's Division Grand Final. Both sides were tied at two goals each at the first change before the Kiana Lee kicked three unanswered goals for the Redlegs to finish the first half with a 20-point lead, the board reading 5.2 while the Tigers were still on two goals. The Bays did hit back thanks to the likes of Ellie Kellock and Jess Bates, but with Jordan Horne unable to find majors of her own a late goal to Norwood kept the Tigers in arrears. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the second term shutout was repeated in the final term. Even though the Redlegs were finding more minor scores than they would have liked, goals to Georgina Birchall and Emma Clark brought the final reward of a Grand Final berth, winning by 19 points. Lee's three second quarter majors plus 14 dispoals, nine marks and three free kicks were vital, while Shai Hiscock brought the boom with 14 tackles and Birchall had six clearances on her stat sheet. Jo Miller was Glenelg's standout with 21 disposals and nine tackles, while Kellock had nine clearances and Marie Martino had seven tackles. The decider will be held on Saturday in a twilight timeslot of 4pm at The Parade.
WOMEN'S PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Norwood 8.7 (55) def. Glenelg 5.6 (36)
FLASH & CRASH STAND ALONGSIDE GAME'S GREATS
The Australian Football League inducted two of South Australia's greats a fortnight ago, with Michael Graham and Chris McDermott joining the roll call of the AFL Hall of Fame ceremony in Melbourne. It was almost fate that they were inducted at the same time, as both were inaugural members of the SANFL equivalent back in 2002. The Sturt speedster in Graham, mostly known the nickname of "Flash" during his time at Oxford Terrace, arrived at the Double Blues in 1971 from Penola in the Western Border league where he won the Mail Medal the year prior. He proceeded to be a year-round player of the game, not only winning two flags with Sturt but also three Northern Territory titles with St. Marys. He also represented SA on 11 occasions, with a career spanning almost 20 years. As for McDermott, the Glenelg braveheart emerged from the club's youth system in the early 80's, helping take the Tigers to consecutive premierships in 1985 & 1986 and was one of the vital cogs in the South Australian State of Origin triumphs from 1986 up to 1996. His patience with playing high-level club football would be rewarded in 1991 with the advent of the Adelaide Crows to the AFL, which he captained up to 1994 and retired at the end of 1996. Post game, the Little Heroes Foundation which he helped create, has raised over $40 million for South Australian families. We here at BigFooty, as well as a great deal of SA footy-heads, salute you.
MICHAEL GRAHAM
282 games for Sturt, 1971-85, 455 goals
230 games for St Mary's (NTFL) 1969-70 to 1986-87
11 games for SA
1974 & 1976 SANFL premierships
1978-79, 1983-84 and 1985-86 NTFL premierships
1969-70 and 1973-74 Club Best and Fairest
1978-79 Club Leading Goals
1973-74 Nichols Medal (Season Best and Fairest, NTFL)
1978-79 Chaney Medal (Grand Final Best on Ground, NTFL)
Captain 1975-76
1970 Western Border Medal
Sturt Life Member & Team of the Century (half-forward)
AFL, SANFL & NTFL Indigenous Team of the Century
SA Football Hall of Fame
CHRIS McDERMOTT
277 games for Glenelg 1981-90 and 1995-96, 184 goals
117 games for Adelaide Crows 1991-96, 31 goals
10 games for North Adelaide 1997
15 games for SA (seven years as captain)
1985 & 1986 Premierships
Glenelg Best & Fairest 1986, 1987, 1988
Adelaide Best and Fairest 1992
All-Australian 1986, 1987, 1992
1987 Fos Williams and Simpson Medals
Captain Glenelg 1989-90
Captain Adelaide 1991-94
Coach North Adelaide 1997-2000
Glenelg FC Hall of Fame
Adelaide FC Hall of Fame, Team of the Decade 1991-2000
SANFL Life Member 1990
Next weekend in Round 13...
Sunday July 7
Central District vs. Adelaide; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 1:10pm
Sturt vs. South Adelaide; Thomas Farms Oval, Unley @ 2:10pm
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg @ 2:10pm
West Adelaide vs. Norwood; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide; Prospect Oval @ 2:30pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
We've been quite fortunate here in Adelaide this season weather wise, while we have had some rather gloomy looking skies it hasn't really impacted the quality of play that much. This past weekend was one of the prime examples of lousy looking conditions, but ol' Mother Nature was only up there going "sike!". However it did make a huge impact crowd-wise on one match in particular and will probably be the subject of much derision from a good deal of SA footy-heads. But that wasn't the only shocker from this weekend as a couple of teams were on the receiving end of some almighty reality checks, which is probably a good thing as well given that we're coming into the final third of the season plus another weekend off prior to the last three rounds upcoming. At the end of last week the Redlegs leaped back into pole position on the league ladder, thanks to a percentage boosting victory over their old rivals. Not much else changed for the other four in the top five, though the gap between those up there and which lies below was about to narrow a touch at the end of this week's proceedings.
Welcome to the Round 12 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
The football action would begin with four games on the Saturday afternoon, the first taking us to the harbour of Port Adelaide and into the Alberton Oval where the Magpies took on the Bulldogs. Amazingly these sides hadn't clashed this season until now, in 2023 when they last fought at Queen Street in Round 9 the Dogs couldn't take advantage of the 'Pies inaccuracy as they went down by 23 points. But then the Bulldogs ended the Magpies season over the course of two consecutive weeks, with a come-from-behind 15-point win in Round 18 at the Ponderosa, then the Elimination Final at Adelaide Oval by seven points. Port were brought crashing back down to earth by the Redlegs in their 83-point hammering at The Parade, while the Dogs came off their bye after a win against South at home. Despite the rain staying away, the turnout was probably the worst in Alberton's history with just under 1000 fronting up. The Magpies seemed to have the Dogs measure early, but couldn't make too much impact on the board with a 1.3 to 0.2 opening term to lead by seven points at the first change. Centrals shook off the week-off webs in the second term, only one last major to the 'Pies allowed them to stay in the lead at the long break. The Dogs kicked 4.2 to 3.3, bringing the gap back to a mere two points come half-time. The Magpies' spirited first half would then go straight to hell when play resumed, the Bulldogs finding another gear to ram through 6.1 to the home side's three behinds. At three quarter-time, the Dogs now led by 32 points. Port managed to find the big sticks again in the final quarter, but the Dogs held firm despite being outscored 3.2 to 2.1. It was one of their most efficient second half displays since Round 4 where they kicked 14.6, they would leave the Magpies nest with a 25-point victory as well as lifting to third on the league ladder. Aiden Grace did plenty with what he could muster, named best for the Bulldogs with 15 disposals, eight marks and three goals. Dante Visentini was by far Port's best afield with 44 hit-outs in ruck, 19 disposals, seven tackles and marks as well as five clearances.
We now go from the north west to the inner north for game number two, the Roosters hosting the Eagles at the Prospect Oval. It was a horrid afternoon when the Roosters went to Oval Avenue in Round 2 where they were handed a 92-point smashing. The Eagles kicked 10 goals in the first half, then another 11 in the second while the Roosters limped to seven goals total. That demolition brought ended a five-game losing streak against North, that one effort making up more than 3/4 of the combined total losing margins of those games. The Roosters put in a decent showing against the Blues at Unley last week, but fell short by two goals. The Eagles on the other hand, came off the bye after handing the Crows a 53-point hiding at Adelaide Oval two weeks ago. With that in mind, many would have been forgiven for thinking that the Eagles' afternoon was not going to be overly difficult and going by the Roosters' opening term effort it wasn't hard to go on the assumption it was going to be another long day. North kicked five straight minor scores, but they kept the Eagles relatively quiet up until the last couple of minues where they got two goals. At quarter-time, the Eagles led by seven points. But soon enough, the Roosters showed how much they wanted to make up for that dismal outing at Woodville. They didn't set the game alight, but kept the usually attacking Eagles to just 1.1 for more than 16 minutes. In the meantime they had scored 2.3, momentarily taking the lead until a late major put the visitors ahead again by five points at the long break. From here the Roosters overwhelmed the Eagles with unrelenting vigour, though their accuracy was keeping the game well in the balance going into the three quarter-time huddles. The Roosters outscored them 3.3 to 1.2, that lone Eagles major coming late to make it an eight-point gap to the home side at the final change. North continued to pepper their sticks in the final term, getting more of the ball and while they still put many chances wide the Eagles didn't have much left in the tank to respond in kind. As a result, North closed the gap between them and the Eagles on the ladder to two games, their 3.4 to 1.1 seeing them home by 23 points. Campbell Combe was North's undisputed standout, racking up 39 disposals, 13 clearances and 10 tackles. Eagles captain Joe Sinor was their best on ground with 20 disposals, nine tackles and winning four free kicks.
The Saturday arvo footy-fest continues as we go from the north side to the south side, to the leafy surrounds of Unley and into the Thomas Farms Oval where the Double Blues played the Bloods. The Blues have not dropped points to the Bloods since early 2016, winning the last 16 games. These are another two sides that haven't clashed this season, both games won by one straight kick. The Bloods blew it big time in Round 8 at Oxford Terrace, they were more efficient but not desperate like Sturt were, going from a goal down at the final change to four-point winners. Then in difficult conditions at Richmond in Round 12, they merely outlasted the Bloods to win by a goal. The Blues were given a fright at home by the Roosters last week but prevailed by two goals, while the Bloods saw out the mid-year period with a loss to the Tigers. The Unley deck was quite slippery, but there wasn't to be repeat of last year's slog and spoiler alert, no upsets here. The Bloods would manage a solitary point in the opening quarter, the Blues kicking to a 21-point first change lead after scoring 3.4. The second quarter was the only time that Westies put any kind of pressure on the Blues, chipping a goal off that gap by the long break with the last major of the half. The Bloods managed 2.2 to Sturt's 1.2, the deficit back to 15 points come half-time. The Bloods were reduced to being spectators in the third quarter, held scoreless while the home side added 3.3 to take their lead to six goals by three quarter-time. The Bloods had a little bit of a dominant period with the ball for most of the final quarter, they actually managed five scoring shots but only one of them finding their way through the big sticks and three were rushed through. That minor spark could definitely be classed as a "what could have been" as the Blues put the rubber stamp on it in the finish, kicking 3.1 to run out 45-point winners and extending the streak to 17 straight victories over the visitors. Will Snelling could be considered a big chance for the Magarey Medal this year, he was Sturt's best with 34 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances. Kobe Ryan is a likely chance for the Bloods' B&F, he finidhed with 20 disposals, 16 tackles and six clearances.
The last game for the traditional Saturday afternoon takes us out to the seaside and into the Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg where the Tigers clashed with the Crows. These teams last met back in Round 3, the Tigers emerging victorious by 38 points at Brighton Road. They kicked 15 goals to four over three quarters, only dropping their intensity in the final term where Adelaide were able to make the final margin a little less horrid. Last week the Tigers put the Bloods away early with an 11-goal first half to win by 52 points. The Crows came off their mid-season bye after a heavy loss to the Eagles two rounds previous, going down by 53 points at Adelaide Oval. But this time, the Crows came to the Tigers' den with a stacked line-up, 16 AFL-listed players including a returning impact player that had been out since pre-season. A lower than normal crowd turned up in the average conditions, around half of what we have normally seen at the Bay. With the breeze in their favour to start with, the Crows pantsed the reigning premiers with a 6.1 to 1.2 opening quarter to shock the local faithful, going into the first change with a 29-point lead. Even more shocking was the Bays' accuracy in the second term with that same wind, skewing chance after chance for a return of 1.6. Four of those behinds were in succession to close the half as well as having 16 forward entires for that second period. Adelaide's 2.1 allowed them to retain their five-kick advantage going into the long break. Glenelg were now looking almost like imposters if you looked at where they were sitting on the league ladder at the time, despite having most of their premiership brigade on field. Adelaide resumed their earlier dominance on the scoreboard when play resumed, breaking the game open by kicking six of the next seven goals. Glenelg managed a couple more before the three quarter-time siren, with missed shots counted as well the Crows were now out to an eight-goal lead. It would end as a dirty day in front of the sticks for the Tigers, who could only lessen the margin of defeat in the end. It was a complete role-reversal from that earlier encounter, the Crows running out 39-point winners after a 1.2 to 2.5 final quarter. Brodie Smith was named best afield for Adelaide with 27 disposals, eight marks and five tackles, while the Tigers named Corey Lyons with 19 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances.
Finally we head down to the outer southern suburbs for the only Sunday afternoon game for the week, the Panthers taking on the Redlegs at the Flinders University Stadium in Noarlunga. Its amazing that being so deep into the season that these are another two teams that haven't faced off until now, with the Redlegs taking out both games from 2023. In Round 9 it took a big third quarter to ensure the result, running out to a 10-kick lead before the Panthers gave them a decent shake in the final term, leaving Noarlunga 23-point winners. It was a lot closer in Round 16 as South almost pulled off a heist at The Parade, slashing a five-kick three quarter-time deficit to come within a hair's breadth of victory before going down by two points. The Panthers came back from the bye after a horrid outing at the Ponderosa, while Norwood got a big percentage boost with their hammering of the 'Pies last week. The typical Noarlunga conditions came to the fore this day -- though it outdrew the game at Alberton funnily enough -- reducing the match to an all out scrap that ordinarily suits the blue & whites. But even they had trouble finding the goals, scoring 2.4 to the Redlegs' 1.2. South by eight points at quarter-time. It was the Redlegs' turn at that end of the ground in the second term and it was their turn to kick a bag of minor scores with five consecutive behinds. They did, however, nail the only goal of the quarter prior to time-on while the Panthers got just one behind. At half-time the 'Legs had a two-point lead. Norwood started to assert some dominance with attack after attack in the third term, but were still having trouble getting goals in the trying conditions. South would still be well within strike going into the final change, the visitors scoring 2.5 to 2.2 to stretch their lead to seven points come three quarter-time. But unfortunately for the home side, they had nothing left in the final term as the 'Legs put the foot on their throats, ramming through five unanswered goals along with two minors to run out 39-point winners. Baynen Lowe was best for the Redlegs with 28 disposals, 15 tackles and winning three free kicks, while the Panthers voted in Kobe Mutch with 30 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 12 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday June 29
Central District 12.6 (78)
Port Adelaide 7.11 (53)
966 @ Alberton Oval
North Adelaide 8.15 (63)
Woodville-West Torrens 6.4 (40)
1,315 @ Prospect Oval
Sturt 10.10 (70)
West Adelaide 3.7 (25)
1,514 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Adelaide 15.6 (96)
Glenelg 7.15 (57)
1,477 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Sunday June 30
Norwood 9.16 (70)
South Adelaide 4.7 (31)
1,180 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
INJURIES
Central -- Dittmar (knee)
W-WT -- Pearce (ankle), Weckert (quad), Toole (foot)
Sturt -- Perez, Reschke (hamstring), Newman (concussion)
West -- Morrish (elbow)
Adelaide -- Gallagher (hamstring)
South -- Howes, Douglass (shoulder), Goldie (hamstring)
REPORTS
Central -- Little (rough conduct)
North -- Grubb (rough conduct)
W-WT -- Beattie (rough conduct)
LEAGUE LADDER
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Norwood -- 18pts (9-2-0), 57.8%
Sturt -- 16pts (8-3-0), 59.9%
Central -- 16pts (8-3-0), 54.8%
Glenelg -- 16pts (8-3-0), 54.2%
W-WT -- 14pts (7-4-0), 57%
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North -- 10pts (5-6-0), 49.5%
West -- 8pts (4-7-0), 46.1%
Adelaide -- 6pts (3-8-0), 44.4%
South -- 4pts (2-9-0), 41.8%
Port -- 2pts (1-10-0), 37.3%
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CROWEATER COLTS BURIED BY METRO
South Australia's U-18 campaign was brought to a horrid end last Sunday at the hands of a Victoria Metro outfit on a mission at Alberton Oval in the final outing of the AFL U-18 National Championship series. The Croweaters would finish with a 1-3 record with their opening round game against the Allies their only highlight. SA were competitive early, the scores tied at 3.2 each at quarter-time before the Vics peppered their goals in the second term to lead by eight points at the long break. Metro were a class above in the second half though, with an efficient third term where they outscored SA 5.1 to 2.1, before putting the nail in the Croweaters' 2024 coffin with a 4.3 final term where SA managed just one behind. The two Victorian teams will face off in a fortnight's time, which will likely decide this year's champion. Ben Camporeale will no doubt be in the crosshairs of the AFL clubs, he managed 29 disposals and seven marks, while Dyson Sharp had six clearances, while overall best for the match was ruckman Alex Dodson -- a third honour in succession -- with 18 hit-outs.
Victoria Metro 15.11 (101) def. South Australia 7.7 (49)
WOMEN'S DIVISION -- Redlegs on collision course with Panthers for flag
Two quarters of football where the Redlegs held the Tigers scoreless would prove the difference as they won the Preliminary Final and the right to face South Adelaide in next week's Women's Division Grand Final. Both sides were tied at two goals each at the first change before the Kiana Lee kicked three unanswered goals for the Redlegs to finish the first half with a 20-point lead, the board reading 5.2 while the Tigers were still on two goals. The Bays did hit back thanks to the likes of Ellie Kellock and Jess Bates, but with Jordan Horne unable to find majors of her own a late goal to Norwood kept the Tigers in arrears. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the second term shutout was repeated in the final term. Even though the Redlegs were finding more minor scores than they would have liked, goals to Georgina Birchall and Emma Clark brought the final reward of a Grand Final berth, winning by 19 points. Lee's three second quarter majors plus 14 dispoals, nine marks and three free kicks were vital, while Shai Hiscock brought the boom with 14 tackles and Birchall had six clearances on her stat sheet. Jo Miller was Glenelg's standout with 21 disposals and nine tackles, while Kellock had nine clearances and Marie Martino had seven tackles. The decider will be held on Saturday in a twilight timeslot of 4pm at The Parade.
WOMEN'S PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Norwood 8.7 (55) def. Glenelg 5.6 (36)
FLASH & CRASH STAND ALONGSIDE GAME'S GREATS
The Australian Football League inducted two of South Australia's greats a fortnight ago, with Michael Graham and Chris McDermott joining the roll call of the AFL Hall of Fame ceremony in Melbourne. It was almost fate that they were inducted at the same time, as both were inaugural members of the SANFL equivalent back in 2002. The Sturt speedster in Graham, mostly known the nickname of "Flash" during his time at Oxford Terrace, arrived at the Double Blues in 1971 from Penola in the Western Border league where he won the Mail Medal the year prior. He proceeded to be a year-round player of the game, not only winning two flags with Sturt but also three Northern Territory titles with St. Marys. He also represented SA on 11 occasions, with a career spanning almost 20 years. As for McDermott, the Glenelg braveheart emerged from the club's youth system in the early 80's, helping take the Tigers to consecutive premierships in 1985 & 1986 and was one of the vital cogs in the South Australian State of Origin triumphs from 1986 up to 1996. His patience with playing high-level club football would be rewarded in 1991 with the advent of the Adelaide Crows to the AFL, which he captained up to 1994 and retired at the end of 1996. Post game, the Little Heroes Foundation which he helped create, has raised over $40 million for South Australian families. We here at BigFooty, as well as a great deal of SA footy-heads, salute you.
MICHAEL GRAHAM
282 games for Sturt, 1971-85, 455 goals
230 games for St Mary's (NTFL) 1969-70 to 1986-87
11 games for SA
1974 & 1976 SANFL premierships
1978-79, 1983-84 and 1985-86 NTFL premierships
1969-70 and 1973-74 Club Best and Fairest
1978-79 Club Leading Goals
1973-74 Nichols Medal (Season Best and Fairest, NTFL)
1978-79 Chaney Medal (Grand Final Best on Ground, NTFL)
Captain 1975-76
1970 Western Border Medal
Sturt Life Member & Team of the Century (half-forward)
AFL, SANFL & NTFL Indigenous Team of the Century
SA Football Hall of Fame
CHRIS McDERMOTT
277 games for Glenelg 1981-90 and 1995-96, 184 goals
117 games for Adelaide Crows 1991-96, 31 goals
10 games for North Adelaide 1997
15 games for SA (seven years as captain)
1985 & 1986 Premierships
Glenelg Best & Fairest 1986, 1987, 1988
Adelaide Best and Fairest 1992
All-Australian 1986, 1987, 1992
1987 Fos Williams and Simpson Medals
Captain Glenelg 1989-90
Captain Adelaide 1991-94
Coach North Adelaide 1997-2000
Glenelg FC Hall of Fame
Adelaide FC Hall of Fame, Team of the Decade 1991-2000
SANFL Life Member 1990
Next weekend in Round 13...
Sunday July 7
Central District vs. Adelaide; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 1:10pm
Sturt vs. South Adelaide; Thomas Farms Oval, Unley @ 2:10pm
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg @ 2:10pm
West Adelaide vs. Norwood; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide; Prospect Oval @ 2:30pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
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