- May 8, 2001
- 5,694
- 867
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
We come now to the last three rounds of the season but before that happens, there's one last weekend off for the league sides. During which there will either be a little free time for players, or some much needed drilling. The minor premiership is still not decided, the fight over the precious direct slot into the second week of the finals makes for an interesting finish to the regular season between the Redlegs and the Blues. The other double chance spot of third is still being fought over as well, with the reigning premiers have a looming date with the fourth placed Bulldogs during the run home and only percentage makes the difference. Meanwhile the Eagles are clinging desperately to their fifth spot. Everything now depends on endurance -- the Roosters, the Crows and the Bloods could still make the five. From those three sides, they will cross each other's paths during the last three rounds, but the red & whites are in the most unenviable position with two of those games against the Redlegs and the Tigers. In any case, there's always room for improvement, but the finish line is fast approaching.
Welcome to the Round 16 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
Four of this past weekend's games were held on the Saturday afternoon, the first of which takes us to the Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg where the Tigers hosted the Redlegs. It was back in Round 2 that the Tigers were brought back down to earth after their demolition job the week before, under the lights of The Parade the Redlegs overcame a shaky opening half in front of goal to kick six goals to two in the second, winning by four goals. Scores were tied at the long break before the current champions went missing, especially in the third term where they were held to just one behind. Last weekend, the Tigers' horrid fortunes in front of goal cost them a second game in succession against the Blues at Unley, while the Redlegs weren't really threatened by the Dogs at home in their seven-goal win. No surprise to see that many had already had bets on the 'Legs to run amok with the Tigers' scoring issues becoming a real problem. But after Norwood controlled the opening 10 minutes where they managed just 2.2, the Tigers just took any and all chances. Not all of them came up tops, but they did take a 10-point lead into the first change with their 3.6. The second quarter was a bit more closely fought with both having patches of control but still unable to land really telling blows. One last goal for the Redlegs at 31 minutes brought the gap back to eight points by the long break after outscoring the Tigers 4.4 to 4.2. However, this is where the Redlegs' forwards were brought to a screeching halt. After half-time, they would never find the big sticks again. They would have plenty of chances and time to claw whatever gap there was back as the Tigers' inaccuracy streak coming back again in the third term in similar fashion to the opening quarter. But the 'Legs would not be able to break the lines, the Tigers' lead stretched out to 31 points by the final change after scoring 3.7 to two minors, then to the final margin of 34 points after the Bays kicked one goal to Norwood's three behinds in the last term. A shock result for the Redlegs, who were held to their second lowest score since Round 9, where they kicked 5.7 in a losing effort to the Blues at Unley. In the best afield department, for the Tigers it was Chris Curran with 23 disposals, 11 marks and six tackles. In the Redlegs' camp it was Harry Boyd in the middle with 49 hitouts, 17 disposals, 10 clearances and six tackles.
Next up we head out to the outer northern suburbs and into the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth for the Northern Derby between the Bulldogs and the Roosters. It was back on Good Friday in the opening round at Prospect, the Dogs taking the victory by 27 points. It was quite a battle for three quarters, the gap at the breaks never exceeding more than three straight kicks. But then the Bulldogs kicked four goals to one in the last quarter to run out winners in the start of their initial streak of victories. Of course that patch of fine form didn't last, with the Bulldogs going on and off the boil ever since with last week's loss to Norwood seemingly showing that they have trouble hanging with the top sides. The Roosters haven't had as much luck themselves though, still outside the five by a game after dropping points to the Crows at Menzies Crescent. There was a breeze that would make life difficult for most of the day, fluctuating toward the north-east and across the ground at times. It would result in a scrappy contest early on, the Roosters getting the better of the possession later in the opening quarter, kicking 2.2 to the Dogs' 1.1 to lead by seven points at quarter-time. North took that lead out to 15 points early into added time in the second quarter, scoring another 2.2 to Centrals' single goal. The Bulldogs would bring that gap down to two points by the half-time siren after kicking 2.1 during time-on, that single missed chance came with the last kick of the half hitting the post. The Roosters looked to have turned a corner in their quest to unseat the Eagles from their fifth spot, they dominated the third quarter to restrict the home side to just one goal, however they bracketed their three goals with four behinds. A three-goal deficit to the visitors at three quarter-time, where it could have been almost five straight shots. But with one of their favourite sons celebrating a milestone, the Bulldogs sparked into action to bag the first five goals of the final term and answering North's two goals with a finishing pair of their own to win by two goals, forcing the red & whites to sweat on the Eagles' fortunes on Sunday. The aforementioned milestone would belong to Jarrod Schiller, playing his 250th match. As for best on ground, for Centrals it was Wilson Barry with 18 disposals, six marks and two goals, one of which was the decider. Campbell Combe was best for North with 22 disposals, 11 tackles and eight clearances.
We head back towards the city and continue past the buildings and monuments towards the inner south and into the Thomas Farms Oval in Unley where the Double Blues faced the Magpies. Many fans would say that the Blues' last outing against the Magpies was an opportunity lost despite winning under lights at Queen Street back in Round 8. In the icy conditions the Blues held the Magpies goal-less in the first half but had a devil of a time of their own on the big sticks. It was practically over by the long break given the effort it took just to get a shot at goal for either side, but Sturt could have really punished the old enemy by more than just four goals in the end with a tally of 6.15, their worst return since Round 1 where they kicked 7.8. They have won ugly since then as well, but with some better returns. Last week wasn't really ugly though, a much tidier effort saw them home by 20 points against the premiers, while the Magpies would find themselves back in the cellar after a loss to the Panthers at Alberton. The winds that affected play up north also had a part to play here at Oxford Terrace, both sides kicking four behinds each. The Blues had more chances during time-on but fluffed them bad as the Magpies led by a goal at quarter-time having scored three majors to two. The Blues upped the attacking pressure in the second quarter and kept the Magpies relatively quiet, keeping them to 1.1. It was their late goal that gave them the lead going into the long break, they had burned several other chances to score 2.5, taking a four-point lead at half-time. Two key players would be out of action by this time, but Blues fans needn't have worried too much because it wouldn't be long before the Magpies would be silenced once and for all. Though the visitors would regain the lead by one point going into the final change, scoring 2.2 to Sturt's 1.3, that was the last time the visitors would find the big sticks. With the visitors now carrying wounds of their own, the Blues would capitalise and kick four goals in the final stanza to run out 23-point winners and be adrift only by a small percentage in the fight for top position with Norwood. Will Snelling was at his brilliant best again for Sturt, with 36 disposals, nine tackles and six marks. Hugh Jackson was Port's best afield with 20 disposals and eight tackles.
The last of the Saturday matches takes us down to the outer southern suburb of Noarlunga, the Flinders University Stadium hosting the contest between the Panthers and the Bloods. Back in Round 4, the Bloods had one of their more stellar outings of the season with a 67-point hammering at Richmond. It was still a contest at half-time with only a goal separating the two, but then the Bloods exploded in the second half, ramming through 13 goals to three. The Bloods' first eight games had promise of a new era at Richmond, but some old habits die hard as they now two games out of the five, though last week's triumph over the Eagles put some much needed hope into the club. The Panthers on the other hand, their saving grace at the moment is not sitting at the foot of the ladder, handing it back to Port after winning at Alberton. For the ensuing half of football, the Panthers were unable to find their way past a stern Bloods defence with regularity, held to 1.1. The Bloods weren't doing too much better on the board themselves, with more than a few set shots not finding their mark. They would be up by a point at quarter-time with their 1.2. That gap would remain going into the long break, both sides scoring 2.3 each with the Bloods' goal just shy of 29 minutes restoring their position. South were making it hard for themselves a lot of the time, with many kicks and handballs often falling short of their target and allowing the Bloods an escape. Westies began the second half with the first two goals and again bagging the closing major of the third quarter. Their lead would now be seven points going into the final change, having scored 3.2 to 2.2. But just like last week at Queen Street, the home side turned it on in the final term, putting the Bloods' finals aspirations on life support. They rammed through 5.5 to the visitors' 1.1, running out 21-point winners and also putting a couple of points between themselves and the Magpies on the ladder. Kobe Mutch was a monster for the Panthers, winning best on ground honours with 27 disposals, 13 tackles, 10 clearances and six free kicks. The Bloods named Sam Frost as their standout with 26 disposals, nine tackles and six marks.
The final match for the weekend would take place on the Sunday afternoon at the Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Woodville, the Eagles clashing with the Crows. The last time these sides clashed, the Crows had actually enticed the Eagles to play their Round 10 match at Adelaide Oval, but it ended with a belting. The Eagles' opening quarter was woeful with a tally of 1.3 to four goals, but then they turned it on and then some, starting with a 5.4 to one goal second term. They followed that with a nine goal to two second half to win by 53 points in the end. That match was around the mid-point of the year and the Eagles were one of the few teams to beat the Redlegs, but after that trouncing of Adelaide they would drop the next four games including last week against West. The Crows are in a similar position to the Bloods, they needed a win to have any chance of finals, winning at Prospect last week certainly helped. The Eagles began quite well, opening with a 3.1 to 1.3 first quarter to lead by 10 points at quarter-time. The Eagles' accuracy would suffer in the second term though, the Crows taking the lead prior to added time. The Eagles could have re-taken the lead going into the long break, but a couple of late missed chances would have them down by a goal at the half-time siren having scored 1.4 to Adelaide's 4.2. Life would be a bit more difficult for the Eagles with one of their big playmakers going down with injury. There were more ill-timed missed chances for the home side in the third quarter and thus still in arrears by the final change -- they kicked four minor scores in succession during time-on. The Eagles outscored the Crows but only by a couple of behinds, kicking 2.5 to 2.3 to be adrift by just three points. The Eagles just fell away slowly but surely in the end, the Crows kicking four goals to two in the final term to give their own finals chances a small boost and at the same time allowing the Bloods faithful to cling to hope. With missed shots counted, the Crows finished up 16-point winners. As for the Eagles, a Qualifying Final is now well out of reach. Jay Boyle was best for the Crows, with 25 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances, while the Eagles voted in Luke McKay with 29 disposals, six tackles and five marks.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 16 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday July 27
Glenelg 11.15 (81)
Norwood 6.11 (47)
3,230 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Central District 12.2 (74)
North Adelaide 9.8 (62)
1,550 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
Sturt 9.14 (68)
Port Adelaide 6.9 (45)
2,244 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
South Adelaide 10.11 (71)
West Adelaide 7.8 (50)
948 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
Sunday July 28
Adelaide 11.10 (76)
Woodville-West Torrens 8.12 (60)
Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville -- crowd number unknown
INJURIES
Glenelg -- Francis (neck), Holder (abdominal), McCarthy (shoulder)
Norwood -- White (shoulder)
Central -- Dittmar (ankle), Monaghan (hamstring), Pearce (quad)
Sturt -- Grivell (ankle), Fahey-Sparks (hand)
Port -- Moore (leg)
South -- McGary (shoulder), Skinner (ankle)
West -- Hutton (ankle), White (hand)
W-WT -- Knight (concussion)
REPORTS
Central -- Larkins (rough conduct)
North -- Wigg, Szekely (striking)
Adelaide -- Strachan (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
-------------------------------------------------------
Norwood -- 24pts (12-3-0), 59.3%
Sturt -- 24pts (12-3-0), 59.1%
Glenelg -- 20pts (10-5-0), 53.5%
Central -- 20pts (10-5-0), 52.1%
W-WT -- 14pts (7-8-0), 53.6%
-------------------------------------------------------
North -- 12pts (6-9-0), 48%
Adelaide -- 12pts (6-9-0), 46.4%
West -- 10pts (5-10-0), 45.6%
South -- 8pts (4-11-0), 44.2%
Port -- 6pts (3-12-0), 40.5%
-------------------------------------------------------
COUNTRY CROWEATERS TRIUMPH OVER WESTERNERS
The best of the best from the recent SA Country Football Championships took to the Adelaide Oval this past Sunday in the famous red state guernsey and would emerge triumphant over their counterparts from Western Australia. Some of those selected were familiar faces to SANFL fans, including some former premiership players. They had to overcome a sluggish start, inaccuracy on goal in the opening term putting them down by five points at the first change after scoring 1.4 to the Sandgropers' 2.3. But then the Croweaters put the clamps on the visitors in the second quarter, booting six goals to one and taking a 25-point lead into the long break. The Westerners had no real answers for South Australia's attacks from here, not even a third term run of inaccuracy would allow the visitors back in. The gap was stretched to 34 points by the final change after SA scored 2.5 to 1.3. More missed shots in the final term by the home side was probably a minor relief for WA, the final margin of 43 points could well have been more like 10+ goals if not for more missed chances on goal, SA finishing the day by adding on 4.5 to 3.2. The result has the overall record of interstate matches between the two at 8-3 in South Australia's favour. The Barry Stringer Medal for SA's best afield would go to former North Adelaide player Will Combe, now currently with Crystal Brook in the Northern Areas league.
SA Country 13.16 (94) def. WA Country 7.9 (51)
Next weekend is a general bye for all league clubs, but this is the schedule for Round 17...
Saturday August 10 @ 2:10pm
Norwood vs. South Adelaide; Coopers Stadium, Norwood
North Adelaide vs. Glenelg; Prospect Oval
Sturt vs. Central District; Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Sunday August 11
West Adelaide vs. Adelaide; Adelaide Oval @ 12:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Alberton Oval @ 2:10pm
So until next fortnight... see you at the Footy!
We come now to the last three rounds of the season but before that happens, there's one last weekend off for the league sides. During which there will either be a little free time for players, or some much needed drilling. The minor premiership is still not decided, the fight over the precious direct slot into the second week of the finals makes for an interesting finish to the regular season between the Redlegs and the Blues. The other double chance spot of third is still being fought over as well, with the reigning premiers have a looming date with the fourth placed Bulldogs during the run home and only percentage makes the difference. Meanwhile the Eagles are clinging desperately to their fifth spot. Everything now depends on endurance -- the Roosters, the Crows and the Bloods could still make the five. From those three sides, they will cross each other's paths during the last three rounds, but the red & whites are in the most unenviable position with two of those games against the Redlegs and the Tigers. In any case, there's always room for improvement, but the finish line is fast approaching.
Welcome to the Round 16 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
Four of this past weekend's games were held on the Saturday afternoon, the first of which takes us to the Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg where the Tigers hosted the Redlegs. It was back in Round 2 that the Tigers were brought back down to earth after their demolition job the week before, under the lights of The Parade the Redlegs overcame a shaky opening half in front of goal to kick six goals to two in the second, winning by four goals. Scores were tied at the long break before the current champions went missing, especially in the third term where they were held to just one behind. Last weekend, the Tigers' horrid fortunes in front of goal cost them a second game in succession against the Blues at Unley, while the Redlegs weren't really threatened by the Dogs at home in their seven-goal win. No surprise to see that many had already had bets on the 'Legs to run amok with the Tigers' scoring issues becoming a real problem. But after Norwood controlled the opening 10 minutes where they managed just 2.2, the Tigers just took any and all chances. Not all of them came up tops, but they did take a 10-point lead into the first change with their 3.6. The second quarter was a bit more closely fought with both having patches of control but still unable to land really telling blows. One last goal for the Redlegs at 31 minutes brought the gap back to eight points by the long break after outscoring the Tigers 4.4 to 4.2. However, this is where the Redlegs' forwards were brought to a screeching halt. After half-time, they would never find the big sticks again. They would have plenty of chances and time to claw whatever gap there was back as the Tigers' inaccuracy streak coming back again in the third term in similar fashion to the opening quarter. But the 'Legs would not be able to break the lines, the Tigers' lead stretched out to 31 points by the final change after scoring 3.7 to two minors, then to the final margin of 34 points after the Bays kicked one goal to Norwood's three behinds in the last term. A shock result for the Redlegs, who were held to their second lowest score since Round 9, where they kicked 5.7 in a losing effort to the Blues at Unley. In the best afield department, for the Tigers it was Chris Curran with 23 disposals, 11 marks and six tackles. In the Redlegs' camp it was Harry Boyd in the middle with 49 hitouts, 17 disposals, 10 clearances and six tackles.
Next up we head out to the outer northern suburbs and into the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth for the Northern Derby between the Bulldogs and the Roosters. It was back on Good Friday in the opening round at Prospect, the Dogs taking the victory by 27 points. It was quite a battle for three quarters, the gap at the breaks never exceeding more than three straight kicks. But then the Bulldogs kicked four goals to one in the last quarter to run out winners in the start of their initial streak of victories. Of course that patch of fine form didn't last, with the Bulldogs going on and off the boil ever since with last week's loss to Norwood seemingly showing that they have trouble hanging with the top sides. The Roosters haven't had as much luck themselves though, still outside the five by a game after dropping points to the Crows at Menzies Crescent. There was a breeze that would make life difficult for most of the day, fluctuating toward the north-east and across the ground at times. It would result in a scrappy contest early on, the Roosters getting the better of the possession later in the opening quarter, kicking 2.2 to the Dogs' 1.1 to lead by seven points at quarter-time. North took that lead out to 15 points early into added time in the second quarter, scoring another 2.2 to Centrals' single goal. The Bulldogs would bring that gap down to two points by the half-time siren after kicking 2.1 during time-on, that single missed chance came with the last kick of the half hitting the post. The Roosters looked to have turned a corner in their quest to unseat the Eagles from their fifth spot, they dominated the third quarter to restrict the home side to just one goal, however they bracketed their three goals with four behinds. A three-goal deficit to the visitors at three quarter-time, where it could have been almost five straight shots. But with one of their favourite sons celebrating a milestone, the Bulldogs sparked into action to bag the first five goals of the final term and answering North's two goals with a finishing pair of their own to win by two goals, forcing the red & whites to sweat on the Eagles' fortunes on Sunday. The aforementioned milestone would belong to Jarrod Schiller, playing his 250th match. As for best on ground, for Centrals it was Wilson Barry with 18 disposals, six marks and two goals, one of which was the decider. Campbell Combe was best for North with 22 disposals, 11 tackles and eight clearances.
We head back towards the city and continue past the buildings and monuments towards the inner south and into the Thomas Farms Oval in Unley where the Double Blues faced the Magpies. Many fans would say that the Blues' last outing against the Magpies was an opportunity lost despite winning under lights at Queen Street back in Round 8. In the icy conditions the Blues held the Magpies goal-less in the first half but had a devil of a time of their own on the big sticks. It was practically over by the long break given the effort it took just to get a shot at goal for either side, but Sturt could have really punished the old enemy by more than just four goals in the end with a tally of 6.15, their worst return since Round 1 where they kicked 7.8. They have won ugly since then as well, but with some better returns. Last week wasn't really ugly though, a much tidier effort saw them home by 20 points against the premiers, while the Magpies would find themselves back in the cellar after a loss to the Panthers at Alberton. The winds that affected play up north also had a part to play here at Oxford Terrace, both sides kicking four behinds each. The Blues had more chances during time-on but fluffed them bad as the Magpies led by a goal at quarter-time having scored three majors to two. The Blues upped the attacking pressure in the second quarter and kept the Magpies relatively quiet, keeping them to 1.1. It was their late goal that gave them the lead going into the long break, they had burned several other chances to score 2.5, taking a four-point lead at half-time. Two key players would be out of action by this time, but Blues fans needn't have worried too much because it wouldn't be long before the Magpies would be silenced once and for all. Though the visitors would regain the lead by one point going into the final change, scoring 2.2 to Sturt's 1.3, that was the last time the visitors would find the big sticks. With the visitors now carrying wounds of their own, the Blues would capitalise and kick four goals in the final stanza to run out 23-point winners and be adrift only by a small percentage in the fight for top position with Norwood. Will Snelling was at his brilliant best again for Sturt, with 36 disposals, nine tackles and six marks. Hugh Jackson was Port's best afield with 20 disposals and eight tackles.
The last of the Saturday matches takes us down to the outer southern suburb of Noarlunga, the Flinders University Stadium hosting the contest between the Panthers and the Bloods. Back in Round 4, the Bloods had one of their more stellar outings of the season with a 67-point hammering at Richmond. It was still a contest at half-time with only a goal separating the two, but then the Bloods exploded in the second half, ramming through 13 goals to three. The Bloods' first eight games had promise of a new era at Richmond, but some old habits die hard as they now two games out of the five, though last week's triumph over the Eagles put some much needed hope into the club. The Panthers on the other hand, their saving grace at the moment is not sitting at the foot of the ladder, handing it back to Port after winning at Alberton. For the ensuing half of football, the Panthers were unable to find their way past a stern Bloods defence with regularity, held to 1.1. The Bloods weren't doing too much better on the board themselves, with more than a few set shots not finding their mark. They would be up by a point at quarter-time with their 1.2. That gap would remain going into the long break, both sides scoring 2.3 each with the Bloods' goal just shy of 29 minutes restoring their position. South were making it hard for themselves a lot of the time, with many kicks and handballs often falling short of their target and allowing the Bloods an escape. Westies began the second half with the first two goals and again bagging the closing major of the third quarter. Their lead would now be seven points going into the final change, having scored 3.2 to 2.2. But just like last week at Queen Street, the home side turned it on in the final term, putting the Bloods' finals aspirations on life support. They rammed through 5.5 to the visitors' 1.1, running out 21-point winners and also putting a couple of points between themselves and the Magpies on the ladder. Kobe Mutch was a monster for the Panthers, winning best on ground honours with 27 disposals, 13 tackles, 10 clearances and six free kicks. The Bloods named Sam Frost as their standout with 26 disposals, nine tackles and six marks.
The final match for the weekend would take place on the Sunday afternoon at the Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Woodville, the Eagles clashing with the Crows. The last time these sides clashed, the Crows had actually enticed the Eagles to play their Round 10 match at Adelaide Oval, but it ended with a belting. The Eagles' opening quarter was woeful with a tally of 1.3 to four goals, but then they turned it on and then some, starting with a 5.4 to one goal second term. They followed that with a nine goal to two second half to win by 53 points in the end. That match was around the mid-point of the year and the Eagles were one of the few teams to beat the Redlegs, but after that trouncing of Adelaide they would drop the next four games including last week against West. The Crows are in a similar position to the Bloods, they needed a win to have any chance of finals, winning at Prospect last week certainly helped. The Eagles began quite well, opening with a 3.1 to 1.3 first quarter to lead by 10 points at quarter-time. The Eagles' accuracy would suffer in the second term though, the Crows taking the lead prior to added time. The Eagles could have re-taken the lead going into the long break, but a couple of late missed chances would have them down by a goal at the half-time siren having scored 1.4 to Adelaide's 4.2. Life would be a bit more difficult for the Eagles with one of their big playmakers going down with injury. There were more ill-timed missed chances for the home side in the third quarter and thus still in arrears by the final change -- they kicked four minor scores in succession during time-on. The Eagles outscored the Crows but only by a couple of behinds, kicking 2.5 to 2.3 to be adrift by just three points. The Eagles just fell away slowly but surely in the end, the Crows kicking four goals to two in the final term to give their own finals chances a small boost and at the same time allowing the Bloods faithful to cling to hope. With missed shots counted, the Crows finished up 16-point winners. As for the Eagles, a Qualifying Final is now well out of reach. Jay Boyle was best for the Crows, with 25 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances, while the Eagles voted in Luke McKay with 29 disposals, six tackles and five marks.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 16 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday July 27
Glenelg 11.15 (81)
Norwood 6.11 (47)
3,230 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Central District 12.2 (74)
North Adelaide 9.8 (62)
1,550 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
Sturt 9.14 (68)
Port Adelaide 6.9 (45)
2,244 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
South Adelaide 10.11 (71)
West Adelaide 7.8 (50)
948 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
Sunday July 28
Adelaide 11.10 (76)
Woodville-West Torrens 8.12 (60)
Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville -- crowd number unknown
INJURIES
Glenelg -- Francis (neck), Holder (abdominal), McCarthy (shoulder)
Norwood -- White (shoulder)
Central -- Dittmar (ankle), Monaghan (hamstring), Pearce (quad)
Sturt -- Grivell (ankle), Fahey-Sparks (hand)
Port -- Moore (leg)
South -- McGary (shoulder), Skinner (ankle)
West -- Hutton (ankle), White (hand)
W-WT -- Knight (concussion)
REPORTS
Central -- Larkins (rough conduct)
North -- Wigg, Szekely (striking)
Adelaide -- Strachan (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
-------------------------------------------------------
Norwood -- 24pts (12-3-0), 59.3%
Sturt -- 24pts (12-3-0), 59.1%
Glenelg -- 20pts (10-5-0), 53.5%
Central -- 20pts (10-5-0), 52.1%
W-WT -- 14pts (7-8-0), 53.6%
-------------------------------------------------------
North -- 12pts (6-9-0), 48%
Adelaide -- 12pts (6-9-0), 46.4%
West -- 10pts (5-10-0), 45.6%
South -- 8pts (4-11-0), 44.2%
Port -- 6pts (3-12-0), 40.5%
-------------------------------------------------------
COUNTRY CROWEATERS TRIUMPH OVER WESTERNERS
The best of the best from the recent SA Country Football Championships took to the Adelaide Oval this past Sunday in the famous red state guernsey and would emerge triumphant over their counterparts from Western Australia. Some of those selected were familiar faces to SANFL fans, including some former premiership players. They had to overcome a sluggish start, inaccuracy on goal in the opening term putting them down by five points at the first change after scoring 1.4 to the Sandgropers' 2.3. But then the Croweaters put the clamps on the visitors in the second quarter, booting six goals to one and taking a 25-point lead into the long break. The Westerners had no real answers for South Australia's attacks from here, not even a third term run of inaccuracy would allow the visitors back in. The gap was stretched to 34 points by the final change after SA scored 2.5 to 1.3. More missed shots in the final term by the home side was probably a minor relief for WA, the final margin of 43 points could well have been more like 10+ goals if not for more missed chances on goal, SA finishing the day by adding on 4.5 to 3.2. The result has the overall record of interstate matches between the two at 8-3 in South Australia's favour. The Barry Stringer Medal for SA's best afield would go to former North Adelaide player Will Combe, now currently with Crystal Brook in the Northern Areas league.
SA Country 13.16 (94) def. WA Country 7.9 (51)
Next weekend is a general bye for all league clubs, but this is the schedule for Round 17...
Saturday August 10 @ 2:10pm
Norwood vs. South Adelaide; Coopers Stadium, Norwood
North Adelaide vs. Glenelg; Prospect Oval
Sturt vs. Central District; Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Sunday August 11
West Adelaide vs. Adelaide; Adelaide Oval @ 12:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Alberton Oval @ 2:10pm
So until next fortnight... see you at the Footy!
