- May 8, 2001
- 5,667
- 818
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
It was back to regular business following the successful retention of the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup against Western Australia and we ended up with some hot games this past weekend. It was also the end of an era at Oxford Terrace with the retirement of Zane Kirkwood. No doubt one of the true faces of the SANFL competition during the 2010's, although he did start his league career at Alberton in 2008 where he played his first 85 games of senior football. It was probably with the pending merging of Port Adelaide's state and national agendas at the end of 2013 that he though his time at Queen Street was done, so he headed to Unley where would play his last 138 league games with the Double Blues. Two premierships in 2016 and 2017, a four-time Morton Medallist as Sturt best and fairest, captain of the club from 2016-2019, two Magarey Medals, three Fos Williams Medals and two-time state captain. Zane was also a five-time member of the SANFL Team of the Year. He hasn't just battled on the field, he's battled off the field as well. Thankfully it wasn't mental health that took him off the field, but in the end it was his body. Some lingering back issues that reared their head during the 2021 pre-season finally forced his hand, calling time on a career that has seen him finish as one of the most decorated players in the last decade. Kirky, we salute you.
Welcome to the Round 7 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
This week's wrap kicks off with the SANFL's own West Side Story, for the first Saturday afternoon game we head to the Hisense Stadium in Richmond where the Bloods faced the Eagles. The Bloods couldn't get anywhere near the eventual premiers last season, losing by over 20 goals across their two games last year. In Round 7 at Woodville, it was an eight-goal hiding. Then at Richmond in Round 13, it was a forgettable 76-point drubbing... a combined loss of 124 points. Three weeks ago, the Bloods concluded a rare fortnight of good fortune with consecutive victories against the Redlegs and the Bulldogs. But it was back to the doldrums thanks to the Roosters before the state match break, while the Eagles were having a horrid fortnight of their own with back-to-back losses away to Port and then the Panthers at home. Which would, as it would eventually turn out, not bode well for the Bloods. It didn't happen right away, the Eagles would only hold a one-goal lead at quarter-time after scoring 2.2 to the Bloods' 1.2. But then the flood gates opened. Actually, more like blown apart, the angry Eagles were unleashed. They started the second term with five straight goals before the Bloods put any through. That was only the beginning though, as the last couple of goals among the Eagles' 7.4 in that quarter was the beginning of a long unanswered streak. Westies scored 2.1 as the gap was blown out to 39 points by the long break. The unanswered goals stretched to a total of eight in the third term, the visitors slamming through 9.2 to a comparably poor 1.1 as the Eagles took their lead out to a misery-inducing 88 points. There was absolutely nothing more to be done and unfortunately there is no white flag rule in football for drubbings. It was the ultimate show of no mercy up to this point as the Eagles took their foot off the accelerator, but not before taking their winning margin out to 106 points, scoring three goals to one in the final term. Jimmy Toumpas had the ball on a string, racking up 45 disposals and taking seven marks to get best on ground honours for the Eagles, while the Bloods named Kaine Stevens as their standout with 32 disposals. Where to now for the Bloods?
We now head across to the inner south of Adelaide, to the leafy streets surrounding the Unley Oval where the Double Blues took on the Bulldogs. The Blues haven't had too many worries against the Dogs as of late, having won the last 11 outings including last year's two encounters. The first was a low-scoring return to action at Adelaide Oval in Round 1, winning by 15 points. Then at Unley in Round 8, the Blues inflicting a 65-point belting. A perfect dozen beckoned for the Blues and what better way to give a retiring favourite his send off? But despite the Dogs' defeat at home to the Redlegs in Round 5, the Blues haven't been doing too well themselves, going from a one-point win against Adelaide to a four-point loss at Brighton Road. Going by the Dogs' performances and Sturt's pushing of Glenelg, this should have probably been pencilled in as a Blues victory. But the first half wasn't a Sturt clinic like the previous stoush, both sides having goal-kicking yips to begin the afternoon. The Dogs would lead by two points at quarter-time, scoring 1.5 to 1.3. Both sides improved their accuracy in the second term, the Dogs looked to have steadied first as they kicked to a 19-point lead half-way through. Sturt recovered well to bring it back to a single kick late on, but a goal almost on the stroke of half-time made that two. Altogether from an action-packed second term, the Dogs scored 4.2 to 3.2 to go into the sheds with an eight-point lead. Centrals have made a habit this season of having a second half brain fade, where their accuracy goes well off and the opposition conquers easily. That wasn't happening now, this different looking and gritty Dogs mob ruled the third quarter and kept the Blues to just two behinds whilst scoring 3.4 for themselves to go into the final change with a 28-point lead. The visitors were no doubt expecting the Blues to make a challenge in the final term, which they did do but while the Dogs were outscored they weren't outmuscled. The Blues tried everything, they scored 7.2 but against the Dogs' 4.2 it wasn't enough. Centrals would win by 10 points in their first win at Unley after six losses. Jarrod Schiller was the standout for the Doggies with 26 disposals and 10 tackles. For the Blues, it was Tom Lewis with 24 disposals and eight tackles.
Only a touch later in the day than the previous two games was the contest over in the inner eastern side of town, the Redlegs taking on the Crows at Coopers Stadium in Norwood. Back in the 2019 season, the Crows put the 'Legs through the ringer with ever increasing margins from three encounters. Starting in Round 6, the Redlegs played only a half of football and blew a 23-point half-time lead to go down by three goals, then in Round 12 it was inaccuracy that was Norwood's enemy as the Crows won by 37 points. The final insult was reserved for the knockout 1st Semi-Final at Adelaide Oval, where the Crows had it all done by half-time to win by 62 points. This time around, the Redlegs were coming off a victory against the Bulldogs, while Adelaide went down in their meeting with Port. Norwood ruled the first half of the opening term, while the Crows answered back in the second to lead by a point at quarter-time with the board reading 3.4 to 3.3. But that is pretty much where the Crows left all their huff and puff in regards to the scoreboard. In a bit of a role reversal after the disastrous aforementioned cut-throat semi, the Redlegs trampled the Crows in the second term. Despite their accuracy on goal still leaving much to be desired, they held the Crows to 1.1 and bagged 5.7 for themselves to take a 29-point lead at the long break. The Redlegs radar was more off in the second half of the game, but while the scoreboard wasn't ticking over it was Norwood's pressure that was putting the brakes on the Crows forward forays. The home side continued to build their lead, even if the most they were doing was adding more behinds than majors. They added a further 2.6 to Adelaide's single major, the deficit now out to 41 points at three quarter-time. It was a similar story in the final term to close the afternoon's proceedings, the 'Legs scoring 2.4 to one goal to run out eight-goal victors and keep hold of third spot. Tasmanian young gun Jackson Callow put on a show for the scouts ahead of the mid-season draft, named best for Norwood with his 24 disposals, 11 marks and three goals. For the Crows, it was Will Hamill with 30 disposals and 10 marks.
The last of the Saturday matches took place out towards the waters of the port of Adelaide, the Magpies meeting the Roosters at the Alberton Oval. The Roosters couldn't find a way past the Magpies in 2019, going down in both games. At Alberton in Round 3, it was a 21-point loss, followed by a seven-goal hiding at Prospect in Round 11. They were only two goals down at half-time, but were then hammered in the second half after the 'Pies scored seven goals to two. You have to go back to their premiership year of 2018 to see North's last victory against Port, a four-point win at Menzies Crescent. The Roosters' demolition of West before the state match stopped a trio of losses, while the Magpies' mini-Showdown win kept them in fifth spot on the league ladder. The two sides went tit-for-tat in the opening 16 minutes, an injury time goal to the Magpies amongst their 3.3 to North's 2.3 allowed them to lead by a single kick at the first change. The Roosters managed to level up again within the first two minutes of the restart, but were again behind the eight-ball by the long break. The Magpies could have taken a four-goal lead at the break had they been that bit more accurate, but their 2.2 against 1.1 had them ahead by 13 points at half-time. The inaccuracy bug jumped to the Roosters camp for the third quarter, which just as it did for Port earlier, allowed the opposition to remain well in striking distance to set up a big final term. North would score 4.6 to the Magpies' 2.1, the visitors now the ones in the lead by just four points. The Roosters looked like they were going to pull it off, controlling much of the early stages of the final term. At the 15 minute mark, they were two goals ahead after scoring 3.2 to Port's two goals. But then the Magpies turned that all on its head, restricting the visitors to just one goal for the rest of the term whilst scoring 4.2 for themselves to nick the win by eight points. The Magpies voted in Sam Mayes as their best on ground, with 32 disposals and nine tackles, while the Roosters named Andrew Moore who finished with 27 disposals and 11 marks.
The final match would stand alone on the Sunday afternoon down at the Flinders Uni Stadium in Noarlunga, the top of the table "Clash of the Cats" between the Panthers and the Tigers. The first meeting of 2020 between these sides was one that almost got away from the Tigers. At Adelaide Oval for Round 2, the Tigers led by over seven goals at three quarter-time. They would win by just seven points. But South would then go on to not only rebound when they next met, but then end their premiership defence. After embarrassing the Tigers at Brighton Road in Round 9 by 41 points, the Panthers then tossed the Tigers out of the finals in the 1st-Semi by 25 points. Two weeks ago, the Panthers sent a warning shot toward the Bays, downing the defending premiers at Woodville while the Tigers only just escaped the Blues grasp. The Panthers seemed to have left something behind at Oval Avenue though, although the trademark Noarlunga breeze probably helped the Tigers cause early on as well. Glenelg would bag 5.5 to South's 1.2 to lead by 27 points at quarter-time. South got back on track in the second term, the same breeze not totally cramping the Tigers however as they still held a lead going into the rooms at the break. South scored 5.2 to 2.1, the Tigers' lead was reeled back to 10 points by half-time. The Panthers' forwards were all but silenced from here, in the third term the Tigers went on the attack and put the paws on the home side's throats to put through 6.3 to three measly behinds. At the final change, the Tigers were out to a 44-point lead. It was a resounding thud which South were brought back to earth with, the Tigers enhancing their premiership credentials and bringing a halt to an eight-year Noarlunga drought. The Panthers could only chip a few points off the final margin, scoring 3.1 to 2.3 as Glenelg won by 40 points and made off with the Carey-Darley Cup. Chris Curran was the Tigers' best, notching up 33 disposals and 12 marks and awarded the John Schneebichler Medal. Bryce Gibbs was named best for the Panthers, with 31 disposals and seven tackles.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 7 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday May 22
Woodville-West Torrens 21.8 (134)
West Adelaide 5.4 (34)
1,267 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Central District 12.13 (85)
Sturt 11.9 (75)
2,468 @ Unley Oval
Norwood 12.20 (92)
Adelaide 6.8 (44)
1,929 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Port Adelaide 13.8 (86)
North Adelaide 11.12 (78)
1,885 @ Alberton Oval
Sunday May 23
Glenelg 15.12 (102)
South Adelaide 9.8 (62)
2,473 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
INJURIES
W-WT -- Lonergan (calf)
West -- Duval (groin), Levicki (achilles)
Glenelg -- Hosie (hamstring)
South -- Wilkinson (shin), Kappler (calf), Milsom (foot)
REPORTS
None known at time of post.
LEAGUE LADDER
--------------------------------------------
Glenelg -- 14pts (7-0-0), 57.4%
South -- 10pts (5-2-0), 53.9%
Norwood -- 10pts (5-2-0), 52.6%
W-WT -- 8pts (4-3-0), 55.9%
Port -- 8pts (4-3-0), 51.7%
--------------------------------------------
North -- 4pts (2-5-0), 54.5%
Sturt -- 4pts (2-5-0), 46.5%
Central -- 4pts (2-5-0), 44.7%
Adelaide -- 4pts (2-5-0), 42.4%
West -- 4pts (2-5-0), 40.9%
--------------------------------------------
WOMEN'S DIVISION -- Tigers take first GF spot, Bloods' last gasp winner
The SANFL Women's Division 2021 Finals Series got underway this past Saturday at The Parade, beginning with the 2nd Semi-Final where the Tigers entered their first Grand Final with their 23-point win against the Redlegs. After an all-out arm-wrestle for three quarters, the Tigers finally found paydirt in the last quarter, breaking the shackles that saw them almost dead-locked with the Redlegs on a goal each for the second and third terms. Up until then, a succession of behinds saw the Tigers creep into the lead but then blasted away with three goals to finish the game. The Redlegs will now face the Bloods in the Preliminary Final next week, who eliminated the Panthers in their cut-throat 1st Semi that followed the Tigers' victory. Like the 2nd Semi, the two teams were barely separable throughout aside from some missed opportunities on goal that saw the Panthers lead by three points at three quarter-time. But a last minute snap to Westies in the dying stages of the last quarter broke the hearts of the Panthers, who only last season finished runner-ups.
1st Semi -- West Adelaide 4.5 (29) def. South Adelaide 3.7 (25)
2nd Semi -- Glenelg 4.7 (31) def. Norwood 1.2 (8)
Next weekend in Round 8...
Saturday May 29
South Adelaide vs. Central District; Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga @ 2:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Norwood; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Sturt; Prospect Oval @ 2:10pm
Glenelg vs. Adelaide; ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg @ 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Alberton Oval @ 2:35pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
It was back to regular business following the successful retention of the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup against Western Australia and we ended up with some hot games this past weekend. It was also the end of an era at Oxford Terrace with the retirement of Zane Kirkwood. No doubt one of the true faces of the SANFL competition during the 2010's, although he did start his league career at Alberton in 2008 where he played his first 85 games of senior football. It was probably with the pending merging of Port Adelaide's state and national agendas at the end of 2013 that he though his time at Queen Street was done, so he headed to Unley where would play his last 138 league games with the Double Blues. Two premierships in 2016 and 2017, a four-time Morton Medallist as Sturt best and fairest, captain of the club from 2016-2019, two Magarey Medals, three Fos Williams Medals and two-time state captain. Zane was also a five-time member of the SANFL Team of the Year. He hasn't just battled on the field, he's battled off the field as well. Thankfully it wasn't mental health that took him off the field, but in the end it was his body. Some lingering back issues that reared their head during the 2021 pre-season finally forced his hand, calling time on a career that has seen him finish as one of the most decorated players in the last decade. Kirky, we salute you.
Welcome to the Round 7 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
This week's wrap kicks off with the SANFL's own West Side Story, for the first Saturday afternoon game we head to the Hisense Stadium in Richmond where the Bloods faced the Eagles. The Bloods couldn't get anywhere near the eventual premiers last season, losing by over 20 goals across their two games last year. In Round 7 at Woodville, it was an eight-goal hiding. Then at Richmond in Round 13, it was a forgettable 76-point drubbing... a combined loss of 124 points. Three weeks ago, the Bloods concluded a rare fortnight of good fortune with consecutive victories against the Redlegs and the Bulldogs. But it was back to the doldrums thanks to the Roosters before the state match break, while the Eagles were having a horrid fortnight of their own with back-to-back losses away to Port and then the Panthers at home. Which would, as it would eventually turn out, not bode well for the Bloods. It didn't happen right away, the Eagles would only hold a one-goal lead at quarter-time after scoring 2.2 to the Bloods' 1.2. But then the flood gates opened. Actually, more like blown apart, the angry Eagles were unleashed. They started the second term with five straight goals before the Bloods put any through. That was only the beginning though, as the last couple of goals among the Eagles' 7.4 in that quarter was the beginning of a long unanswered streak. Westies scored 2.1 as the gap was blown out to 39 points by the long break. The unanswered goals stretched to a total of eight in the third term, the visitors slamming through 9.2 to a comparably poor 1.1 as the Eagles took their lead out to a misery-inducing 88 points. There was absolutely nothing more to be done and unfortunately there is no white flag rule in football for drubbings. It was the ultimate show of no mercy up to this point as the Eagles took their foot off the accelerator, but not before taking their winning margin out to 106 points, scoring three goals to one in the final term. Jimmy Toumpas had the ball on a string, racking up 45 disposals and taking seven marks to get best on ground honours for the Eagles, while the Bloods named Kaine Stevens as their standout with 32 disposals. Where to now for the Bloods?
We now head across to the inner south of Adelaide, to the leafy streets surrounding the Unley Oval where the Double Blues took on the Bulldogs. The Blues haven't had too many worries against the Dogs as of late, having won the last 11 outings including last year's two encounters. The first was a low-scoring return to action at Adelaide Oval in Round 1, winning by 15 points. Then at Unley in Round 8, the Blues inflicting a 65-point belting. A perfect dozen beckoned for the Blues and what better way to give a retiring favourite his send off? But despite the Dogs' defeat at home to the Redlegs in Round 5, the Blues haven't been doing too well themselves, going from a one-point win against Adelaide to a four-point loss at Brighton Road. Going by the Dogs' performances and Sturt's pushing of Glenelg, this should have probably been pencilled in as a Blues victory. But the first half wasn't a Sturt clinic like the previous stoush, both sides having goal-kicking yips to begin the afternoon. The Dogs would lead by two points at quarter-time, scoring 1.5 to 1.3. Both sides improved their accuracy in the second term, the Dogs looked to have steadied first as they kicked to a 19-point lead half-way through. Sturt recovered well to bring it back to a single kick late on, but a goal almost on the stroke of half-time made that two. Altogether from an action-packed second term, the Dogs scored 4.2 to 3.2 to go into the sheds with an eight-point lead. Centrals have made a habit this season of having a second half brain fade, where their accuracy goes well off and the opposition conquers easily. That wasn't happening now, this different looking and gritty Dogs mob ruled the third quarter and kept the Blues to just two behinds whilst scoring 3.4 for themselves to go into the final change with a 28-point lead. The visitors were no doubt expecting the Blues to make a challenge in the final term, which they did do but while the Dogs were outscored they weren't outmuscled. The Blues tried everything, they scored 7.2 but against the Dogs' 4.2 it wasn't enough. Centrals would win by 10 points in their first win at Unley after six losses. Jarrod Schiller was the standout for the Doggies with 26 disposals and 10 tackles. For the Blues, it was Tom Lewis with 24 disposals and eight tackles.
Only a touch later in the day than the previous two games was the contest over in the inner eastern side of town, the Redlegs taking on the Crows at Coopers Stadium in Norwood. Back in the 2019 season, the Crows put the 'Legs through the ringer with ever increasing margins from three encounters. Starting in Round 6, the Redlegs played only a half of football and blew a 23-point half-time lead to go down by three goals, then in Round 12 it was inaccuracy that was Norwood's enemy as the Crows won by 37 points. The final insult was reserved for the knockout 1st Semi-Final at Adelaide Oval, where the Crows had it all done by half-time to win by 62 points. This time around, the Redlegs were coming off a victory against the Bulldogs, while Adelaide went down in their meeting with Port. Norwood ruled the first half of the opening term, while the Crows answered back in the second to lead by a point at quarter-time with the board reading 3.4 to 3.3. But that is pretty much where the Crows left all their huff and puff in regards to the scoreboard. In a bit of a role reversal after the disastrous aforementioned cut-throat semi, the Redlegs trampled the Crows in the second term. Despite their accuracy on goal still leaving much to be desired, they held the Crows to 1.1 and bagged 5.7 for themselves to take a 29-point lead at the long break. The Redlegs radar was more off in the second half of the game, but while the scoreboard wasn't ticking over it was Norwood's pressure that was putting the brakes on the Crows forward forays. The home side continued to build their lead, even if the most they were doing was adding more behinds than majors. They added a further 2.6 to Adelaide's single major, the deficit now out to 41 points at three quarter-time. It was a similar story in the final term to close the afternoon's proceedings, the 'Legs scoring 2.4 to one goal to run out eight-goal victors and keep hold of third spot. Tasmanian young gun Jackson Callow put on a show for the scouts ahead of the mid-season draft, named best for Norwood with his 24 disposals, 11 marks and three goals. For the Crows, it was Will Hamill with 30 disposals and 10 marks.
The last of the Saturday matches took place out towards the waters of the port of Adelaide, the Magpies meeting the Roosters at the Alberton Oval. The Roosters couldn't find a way past the Magpies in 2019, going down in both games. At Alberton in Round 3, it was a 21-point loss, followed by a seven-goal hiding at Prospect in Round 11. They were only two goals down at half-time, but were then hammered in the second half after the 'Pies scored seven goals to two. You have to go back to their premiership year of 2018 to see North's last victory against Port, a four-point win at Menzies Crescent. The Roosters' demolition of West before the state match stopped a trio of losses, while the Magpies' mini-Showdown win kept them in fifth spot on the league ladder. The two sides went tit-for-tat in the opening 16 minutes, an injury time goal to the Magpies amongst their 3.3 to North's 2.3 allowed them to lead by a single kick at the first change. The Roosters managed to level up again within the first two minutes of the restart, but were again behind the eight-ball by the long break. The Magpies could have taken a four-goal lead at the break had they been that bit more accurate, but their 2.2 against 1.1 had them ahead by 13 points at half-time. The inaccuracy bug jumped to the Roosters camp for the third quarter, which just as it did for Port earlier, allowed the opposition to remain well in striking distance to set up a big final term. North would score 4.6 to the Magpies' 2.1, the visitors now the ones in the lead by just four points. The Roosters looked like they were going to pull it off, controlling much of the early stages of the final term. At the 15 minute mark, they were two goals ahead after scoring 3.2 to Port's two goals. But then the Magpies turned that all on its head, restricting the visitors to just one goal for the rest of the term whilst scoring 4.2 for themselves to nick the win by eight points. The Magpies voted in Sam Mayes as their best on ground, with 32 disposals and nine tackles, while the Roosters named Andrew Moore who finished with 27 disposals and 11 marks.
The final match would stand alone on the Sunday afternoon down at the Flinders Uni Stadium in Noarlunga, the top of the table "Clash of the Cats" between the Panthers and the Tigers. The first meeting of 2020 between these sides was one that almost got away from the Tigers. At Adelaide Oval for Round 2, the Tigers led by over seven goals at three quarter-time. They would win by just seven points. But South would then go on to not only rebound when they next met, but then end their premiership defence. After embarrassing the Tigers at Brighton Road in Round 9 by 41 points, the Panthers then tossed the Tigers out of the finals in the 1st-Semi by 25 points. Two weeks ago, the Panthers sent a warning shot toward the Bays, downing the defending premiers at Woodville while the Tigers only just escaped the Blues grasp. The Panthers seemed to have left something behind at Oval Avenue though, although the trademark Noarlunga breeze probably helped the Tigers cause early on as well. Glenelg would bag 5.5 to South's 1.2 to lead by 27 points at quarter-time. South got back on track in the second term, the same breeze not totally cramping the Tigers however as they still held a lead going into the rooms at the break. South scored 5.2 to 2.1, the Tigers' lead was reeled back to 10 points by half-time. The Panthers' forwards were all but silenced from here, in the third term the Tigers went on the attack and put the paws on the home side's throats to put through 6.3 to three measly behinds. At the final change, the Tigers were out to a 44-point lead. It was a resounding thud which South were brought back to earth with, the Tigers enhancing their premiership credentials and bringing a halt to an eight-year Noarlunga drought. The Panthers could only chip a few points off the final margin, scoring 3.1 to 2.3 as Glenelg won by 40 points and made off with the Carey-Darley Cup. Chris Curran was the Tigers' best, notching up 33 disposals and 12 marks and awarded the John Schneebichler Medal. Bryce Gibbs was named best for the Panthers, with 31 disposals and seven tackles.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 7 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday May 22
Woodville-West Torrens 21.8 (134)
West Adelaide 5.4 (34)
1,267 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Central District 12.13 (85)
Sturt 11.9 (75)
2,468 @ Unley Oval
Norwood 12.20 (92)
Adelaide 6.8 (44)
1,929 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Port Adelaide 13.8 (86)
North Adelaide 11.12 (78)
1,885 @ Alberton Oval
Sunday May 23
Glenelg 15.12 (102)
South Adelaide 9.8 (62)
2,473 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
INJURIES
W-WT -- Lonergan (calf)
West -- Duval (groin), Levicki (achilles)
Glenelg -- Hosie (hamstring)
South -- Wilkinson (shin), Kappler (calf), Milsom (foot)
REPORTS
None known at time of post.
LEAGUE LADDER
--------------------------------------------
Glenelg -- 14pts (7-0-0), 57.4%
South -- 10pts (5-2-0), 53.9%
Norwood -- 10pts (5-2-0), 52.6%
W-WT -- 8pts (4-3-0), 55.9%
Port -- 8pts (4-3-0), 51.7%
--------------------------------------------
North -- 4pts (2-5-0), 54.5%
Sturt -- 4pts (2-5-0), 46.5%
Central -- 4pts (2-5-0), 44.7%
Adelaide -- 4pts (2-5-0), 42.4%
West -- 4pts (2-5-0), 40.9%
--------------------------------------------
WOMEN'S DIVISION -- Tigers take first GF spot, Bloods' last gasp winner
The SANFL Women's Division 2021 Finals Series got underway this past Saturday at The Parade, beginning with the 2nd Semi-Final where the Tigers entered their first Grand Final with their 23-point win against the Redlegs. After an all-out arm-wrestle for three quarters, the Tigers finally found paydirt in the last quarter, breaking the shackles that saw them almost dead-locked with the Redlegs on a goal each for the second and third terms. Up until then, a succession of behinds saw the Tigers creep into the lead but then blasted away with three goals to finish the game. The Redlegs will now face the Bloods in the Preliminary Final next week, who eliminated the Panthers in their cut-throat 1st Semi that followed the Tigers' victory. Like the 2nd Semi, the two teams were barely separable throughout aside from some missed opportunities on goal that saw the Panthers lead by three points at three quarter-time. But a last minute snap to Westies in the dying stages of the last quarter broke the hearts of the Panthers, who only last season finished runner-ups.
1st Semi -- West Adelaide 4.5 (29) def. South Adelaide 3.7 (25)
2nd Semi -- Glenelg 4.7 (31) def. Norwood 1.2 (8)
Next weekend in Round 8...
Saturday May 29
South Adelaide vs. Central District; Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga @ 2:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Norwood; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Sturt; Prospect Oval @ 2:10pm
Glenelg vs. Adelaide; ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg @ 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Alberton Oval @ 2:35pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
