raboyle
27 May 2006, 22:58
This is for all the WAFL watchers out there, seeing as you all may not look at the SANFL board a lot.
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Hi Footy fans...
This past weekend, club rivalries were cast aside as the supporters of the nine SANFL clubs united in one common interest. That being the fight to preserve South Australia's reputation as having the best football competition outside of the national league, the AFL. This time, SA would be on home turf, the attack coming from the Western Australians. However unlike previous years the WAFL came in as the favourites, fielding a stronger looking side than what has been seen in the past few years. 5000 SA footy-heads turned up for this one, and was one to remember in regards to the closeness of the contest.
So lets get into the details of State League 2006... South Australia vs. Western Australia.
This year's contest would take place at Adelaide Oval, where in the 2000 match the Sandgropers would fall away after dominating in the first quarter, going down by 42 points. Three years later, the Croweaters travelled down to Fremantle Oval and belted the home side to the margin of 10 goals. Its been 12 years between drinks, the last successful Sandgroper win was in 1994 against South Australia at Football Park. The WAFL came close to breaking their long drought last year at Leederville against the VFL, but fell short by just under two goals.
On the other hand, the SANFL have been back on their winning ways after their capitulation to the Victorian Football League in 2002. They defeated the VFL at Port Melbourne last year along with their 2003 win in WA. This year's SA side seemed a bit under-done on paper, injuries to key players during the course of selection and training caused some headaches for the selectors and the coach alike. So this contest wasn't going to be a blowout like it was three years ago.
Like in 2000, the Sandgropers got off to a fine start. But it was midfield dominance by the visitors that kept the Croweaters to a measly 1.3 to WA's 3.4. WA players outnumbered SA players big time around the ball, the heavier players getting stuck in at every opportunity and making the Croweaters hurt. The Sandgropers pushed into their attacking 50 metre zone seven more times than SA did in their attacking area, 19 to 12 by the end of the first quarter. Add to that the 21 tackles to SA's 12. Men like Swan District spearhead Chris McGuire was the source of SA's early headaches, but in the second quarter Port's Corey AhChee was able to keep the Sandgropers down enough for SA to launch their offensive.
Centrals forward Daniel Schell started to fire as well, he was well and truly switched on for the rest of this match. For the first time this year, Schell finally found some form in goal and took almost every opportunity. The Croweaters got within four points of the lead by half time after kicking 6.4 to 5.1. East Fremantle captain Shane Woewodin was a hot target all around the ground, he racked up almost 50 possessions for his night out and was instrumental in some of WA's goal scoring plays. Just before the long break the Croweaters lost James Gowans to a calf injury, when play resumed lightning struck again. This time it was Magpies back-man Steven Eichner who went down with a knee injuries.
But SA skipper Scott Borlace wasn't going to let these setbacks cost him or his team, the leadership qualities Darel Hart saw in him coming to the surface as he sparked the SA attack into action. Borlace, along with the introduction of Magpie Mark Clayton and Tiger Brett Backwell who was moved into half-forward, saw the Croweaters snatch a four point lead by three-quarter time. Eagles goalsneak Tim Inkster was a big help to Schell as well, he out-fought the 2005 Sandover Medallist in Subiaco's Caine Hayes.
The final quarter was going to be a cracker, and it didn't disappoint. It was almost goal for goal here, Schell, Rooster Dean Howard and 2005 Magarey Medallist Jeremy Clayton bagging goals within the first 15 minutes to set up a 15 point lead. The Croweaters were able to control the flow up until the final siren. A 5.2 to WA's 3.1 fourth term scoreline saw the SANFL home by 17 points. The drought continues for the Western Australians. Despite the loss, WAFL coach Peter German was still full of praise for his team. "A lot of hard work went into it and the result is disappointing. But the players all gave 100 per cent and that is all you can ask," he said.
Darel Hart was just as proud of his men, if not more. "We picked a side with character and under the duress of injuries the players toughed it out," Hart said. "I'm absolutely rapt with that performance. The result is a pat on the back for the selectors and the type of player picked. These are the outstanding players of the competition and it is their win. I cannot speak highly enough of their character."
Quotes taken from The Advertiser 27/5/06.
Final score in State League 2006...
STATE LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE MATCH
The Haydn Bunton Jr Trophy
Friday May 26
South Australia 14.14 (98)
Western Australia 12.9 (81)
5,034 @ Adelaide Oval—Night match
Daniel Schell added a new SANFL honour to his list of achievements, collecting the Fos Williams Medal as best afield for SA, while Subiaco Lion Caine Hayes bagged the Simpson Medal for his tireless efforts.
Injuries
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Norwood -- Borlace (cut above eye)
Central -- J. Gowans (calf)
Port -- Eichner (knee)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Swan Districts -- Beros (hamstring)
South Fremantle -- North (thigh)
So next year while South Australia sits out of next year's State League contest, the Sandgropers will be taking on the Big V in Melbourne where hopefully, the WAFL can win back a bit of that lost pride. But the Croweaters will be back on the scene in 2008, home again in Adelaide to the VFL. But next week, its back to club football.
Next week's SANFL and WAFL fixtures...
SANFL ROUND 9
Saturday June 3
North Adelaide vs Woodville-West Torrens; Thebarton Oval
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Alberton Oval
Central District vs. Norwood; Hamra Homes Oval, Elizabeth
Glenelg vs. Sturt; Glenelg Oval
South Adelaide have the bye.
WAFL ROUND 11
Saturday June 3
Perth vs. Peel Thunder; EFTel Oval, Lathlain Park
Subiaco vs. Swans Districts; Medibank Stadium, Leederville
Monday June 5
West Perth vs. East Perth; Arena Joondalup
South Fremantle vs. East Fremantle; Fremantle Oval
Claremont have the bye.
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Footy fans...
This past weekend, club rivalries were cast aside as the supporters of the nine SANFL clubs united in one common interest. That being the fight to preserve South Australia's reputation as having the best football competition outside of the national league, the AFL. This time, SA would be on home turf, the attack coming from the Western Australians. However unlike previous years the WAFL came in as the favourites, fielding a stronger looking side than what has been seen in the past few years. 5000 SA footy-heads turned up for this one, and was one to remember in regards to the closeness of the contest.
So lets get into the details of State League 2006... South Australia vs. Western Australia.
This year's contest would take place at Adelaide Oval, where in the 2000 match the Sandgropers would fall away after dominating in the first quarter, going down by 42 points. Three years later, the Croweaters travelled down to Fremantle Oval and belted the home side to the margin of 10 goals. Its been 12 years between drinks, the last successful Sandgroper win was in 1994 against South Australia at Football Park. The WAFL came close to breaking their long drought last year at Leederville against the VFL, but fell short by just under two goals.
On the other hand, the SANFL have been back on their winning ways after their capitulation to the Victorian Football League in 2002. They defeated the VFL at Port Melbourne last year along with their 2003 win in WA. This year's SA side seemed a bit under-done on paper, injuries to key players during the course of selection and training caused some headaches for the selectors and the coach alike. So this contest wasn't going to be a blowout like it was three years ago.
Like in 2000, the Sandgropers got off to a fine start. But it was midfield dominance by the visitors that kept the Croweaters to a measly 1.3 to WA's 3.4. WA players outnumbered SA players big time around the ball, the heavier players getting stuck in at every opportunity and making the Croweaters hurt. The Sandgropers pushed into their attacking 50 metre zone seven more times than SA did in their attacking area, 19 to 12 by the end of the first quarter. Add to that the 21 tackles to SA's 12. Men like Swan District spearhead Chris McGuire was the source of SA's early headaches, but in the second quarter Port's Corey AhChee was able to keep the Sandgropers down enough for SA to launch their offensive.
Centrals forward Daniel Schell started to fire as well, he was well and truly switched on for the rest of this match. For the first time this year, Schell finally found some form in goal and took almost every opportunity. The Croweaters got within four points of the lead by half time after kicking 6.4 to 5.1. East Fremantle captain Shane Woewodin was a hot target all around the ground, he racked up almost 50 possessions for his night out and was instrumental in some of WA's goal scoring plays. Just before the long break the Croweaters lost James Gowans to a calf injury, when play resumed lightning struck again. This time it was Magpies back-man Steven Eichner who went down with a knee injuries.
But SA skipper Scott Borlace wasn't going to let these setbacks cost him or his team, the leadership qualities Darel Hart saw in him coming to the surface as he sparked the SA attack into action. Borlace, along with the introduction of Magpie Mark Clayton and Tiger Brett Backwell who was moved into half-forward, saw the Croweaters snatch a four point lead by three-quarter time. Eagles goalsneak Tim Inkster was a big help to Schell as well, he out-fought the 2005 Sandover Medallist in Subiaco's Caine Hayes.
The final quarter was going to be a cracker, and it didn't disappoint. It was almost goal for goal here, Schell, Rooster Dean Howard and 2005 Magarey Medallist Jeremy Clayton bagging goals within the first 15 minutes to set up a 15 point lead. The Croweaters were able to control the flow up until the final siren. A 5.2 to WA's 3.1 fourth term scoreline saw the SANFL home by 17 points. The drought continues for the Western Australians. Despite the loss, WAFL coach Peter German was still full of praise for his team. "A lot of hard work went into it and the result is disappointing. But the players all gave 100 per cent and that is all you can ask," he said.
Darel Hart was just as proud of his men, if not more. "We picked a side with character and under the duress of injuries the players toughed it out," Hart said. "I'm absolutely rapt with that performance. The result is a pat on the back for the selectors and the type of player picked. These are the outstanding players of the competition and it is their win. I cannot speak highly enough of their character."
Quotes taken from The Advertiser 27/5/06.
Final score in State League 2006...
STATE LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE MATCH
The Haydn Bunton Jr Trophy
Friday May 26
South Australia 14.14 (98)
Western Australia 12.9 (81)
5,034 @ Adelaide Oval—Night match
Daniel Schell added a new SANFL honour to his list of achievements, collecting the Fos Williams Medal as best afield for SA, while Subiaco Lion Caine Hayes bagged the Simpson Medal for his tireless efforts.
Injuries
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Norwood -- Borlace (cut above eye)
Central -- J. Gowans (calf)
Port -- Eichner (knee)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Swan Districts -- Beros (hamstring)
South Fremantle -- North (thigh)
So next year while South Australia sits out of next year's State League contest, the Sandgropers will be taking on the Big V in Melbourne where hopefully, the WAFL can win back a bit of that lost pride. But the Croweaters will be back on the scene in 2008, home again in Adelaide to the VFL. But next week, its back to club football.
Next week's SANFL and WAFL fixtures...
SANFL ROUND 9
Saturday June 3
North Adelaide vs Woodville-West Torrens; Thebarton Oval
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Alberton Oval
Central District vs. Norwood; Hamra Homes Oval, Elizabeth
Glenelg vs. Sturt; Glenelg Oval
South Adelaide have the bye.
WAFL ROUND 11
Saturday June 3
Perth vs. Peel Thunder; EFTel Oval, Lathlain Park
Subiaco vs. Swans Districts; Medibank Stadium, Leederville
Monday June 5
West Perth vs. East Perth; Arena Joondalup
South Fremantle vs. East Fremantle; Fremantle Oval
Claremont have the bye.
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!