- May 8, 2001
- 5,667
- 818
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
This past weekend saw a trio of results that were nothing short of shocking. Yes my fellow SA footy-heads, I'm opening this week's blog with yet another spoiler. The top five sides are not totally assured of their spots, no less those up top. The three top sides have been somewhat coasting, with some minor slip ups here and there but this weekend well and truly took the cake. The Roosters, the Tigers and the Crows were all dealt some reality checks in their encounters and if the fortunes of the lower-end and mid-table sides continue, could we see a change in the make up of the finals come September? Of course that is still a couple of months away. Also over the last couple of weeks we've also observed the Indigenous Round and NAIDOC week. For many an SANFL fan, these would evoke memories. There's been wizards aplenty in the league over the last 60 years. Some names that would spring to mind would be South Adelaide's David Kantilla, who under Neil Kerley elevated the Panthers from paupers to premiers in 1964. The excitement machine himself, Sturt's Michael Graham, otherwise known as "Flash" (aaah aaaaah!). The Centrals duo of Sonny Morey and Wilbur Wilson. And of course the McAdams, Greg and Gilbert, the latter taking out the Magarey Medal in 1989. In more modern times, we've had names like Rioli added to the SANFL honour roll, young Willie helping to bring Glenelg their first flag in over 30 years in 2017. Robbie Young, one of the Roosters' 2018 flag heroes. Anthony Wilson, whose flair brought Norwood to a third consecutive title in 2014 and starred for the state side on two occasions. No doubt there's plenty more of those kinds of stars in the future, from the land of the Kaurna people and beyond.
Welcome to the Round 14 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
We begin the weekend's action with the first of four Saturday afternoon games, the Bloods taking on the Bulldogs at the Hisense Stadium in Richmond. The last time these sides met, it ended in shocking fashion for the current cellar-dwellers. The Bloods looked like they were skipping off to victory at the Ponderosa in Round 2, leading by six straight kicks at half-time thanks to the Dogs' horrid kicking for goal with the board reading 2.8 to 9.3. The Bulldogs flipped the script and proceeded to kick 11 of the next 13 goals to win by 20 points. While the Bloods still haven't put a dub to their name this season, the Dogs had to wait until Round 11 for their next win. They did add a third to their record last week, scoring a point prior to the final siren against South at home while West were beaten by the Eagles. The Dogs were all over the Bloods early on, but inaccuracy on goal saw them lead by six points at quarter-time with a tally of 3.6 to three goals. At least two of those missed chances were absolute sitters from within 25 metres straight in front. That accuracy isses wasn't a problem in the second term, the bug transferring to the Bloods' camp who kicked 1.4 while the Dogs bagged 5.1 to take their advantage out to 27 points come half-time. The second half was a bit less showy from the Dogs, who were back to making some of their most rage-inducing mistakes. But as hard as the Bloods tried and try they did, impact on the scoreboard was lacking as Centrals held firm against most of the home side's challenges. The long break lead the Bulldogs held was cut down a couple of points, outscored 2.3 to 2.1 in the third quarter to reduce the gap to 25 points by the final change. West continued to pepper their goals in the final term, but a return of 1.5 wasn't going to stop the visitors from claiming a fourth win in 2022. Much like the Dogs in the opening term, there were two absolute prime chances for the Bloods with an unguarded goal square begging to be exploited. The Dogs scored an additional 2.3 to take out a 29-point win, elevating themselves to eighth position. Ethan East scored four of the 12 goals, but Justin Hoskin was Centrals' best afield with 28 disposals, six marks and four tackles. For the Bloods it was Patrick Fairlie once again with 31 disposals as well as nine tackles and clearances.
Now we turn our attention to one of the shockers from this round, we now head down south for the "Clash of the Cats" contest at the Flinders University Stadium in Noarlunga between the Panthers and the Tigers. Back in Round 7 at Brighton Road, the Tigers left it until the final term to outrun the Panthers to win by 34 points. South had a slow start that probably contributed to their eventual downfall, but it wasn't as if the door wasn't left wide open for three quarters. They were only two straight kicks adrift before the Tigers finally put it beyond doubt, though they could very well had won by a lot more if not for their inaccuracy. The Panthers were dealt a last-second blow at Elizabeth last week as the Dogs landed one last score to go down by a point, while the Tigers copped a 74-point hammering from Adelaide. But if that wasn't going to put Glenelg's finals credentials under the spotlight, well there was going to be more questions asked this week. The Tigers were held to just a single missed opportunity in the opening quarter, while the Panthers kicked away to a 25-point quarter-time lead after they scored 4.2. The goals continued to elude the Tigers in the second quarter, missing a further five chances while the Panthers added a further 3.1 to their score. At the half-time break, the Panthers were out to a 39-point lead and they wouldn't look back. In fact, there would be no need to look back. The Panthers defenders were doing a sterling job against the Tigers, who only weeks ago hammered the Blues and looked like real contenders. Not today. The Tigers would finally find the goals in the third quarter, but weren't going to make up any ground. The Panthers did fluff several big chances to hammer the point home, but their 2.5 to 2.1 did stretch their advantage to 43 points going into the final stanza. The Tigers would end up with their lowest score for the season, if not for several seasons, as well as having one of their dominant forwards in recent memory reduced to a spectator. South finished with a 2.2 to one goal final term to run out 45-point winners, giving their finals chances a much-needed shot in the arm. Keegan Brooskby was best for South, only managing 19 disposals but also made nine clearances and four tackles. The Bays would vote in Matt Snook as their best with 23 disposals and 10 tackles.
The next game on the schedule takes us to the Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Woodville as the Eagles and the Magpies met for the Battle of the Birds. Not even the star power of a returning Charlie Dixon could save the Magpies the last time they met their Port Road rivals, the Eagles victorious at Alberton in Round 6. Port outworked the Eagles in the second term to lead by five points at half-time, but went to sleep in the second term to be held scoreless as the reigning premiers took over. The Eagles scored seven goals to two for the entire second half to win by 26 points. Last week the Eagles were brought down for the second time in three weeks by the Redlegs at Norwood, while the Magpies fielded probably one of their weakest line-ups possibly in its entire history to score just 1.4 against North, who would inflict a 21-goal smashing at Prospect. That seemed to be rectified this week at least for the opening quarter, but accuracy on goal by the Magpies only allowed them to lead by just nine points at quarter-time with a scoreline of 2.4 to the Eagles' 1.1. But from here the Magpies were back to their old habits, though to their credit it wasn't going to be nearly as embarrassing as the demolition job they copped last week, only half as embarrassing. The Eagles bagged 5.3 to the Magpies' single major, going into the long break with a three-goal lead. There would be precious little for the Eagles to do from here, meeting very little resistance. The Eagles' third quarter in front of goal wasn't destructive, but seeing as the Magpies could only manage a single behind there wasn't much to worry about. The visitors scored 2.4 to take their advantage out to 33 points come three quarter-time, but they still weren't out of fuel. The current champions rammed the point home in the final term, Port scoring just one goal while the Eagles scored 5.3 to post a 10-goal victory. Daniel Menzel scored seven goals, but it was Riley Knight that took out best afield honours for the Eagles with his tally of 33 disposals, nine marks and five tackles. The Magpies would name Steven Motlop as their standout with 32 disposals, six marks and seven clearances.
The last game to be held on the Saturday arvo takes us to the eastern side of town and into the Coopers Stadium at Norwood for one of the shortest trips between grounds as the Redlegs hosted the Roosters. The last time these sides met was only five weeks ago, in an absolute arm-wrestle back in Round 9 at Menzies Crescent. The Roosters won by 11 points, after a back and forth battle in front of sticks where the gap never exceeded 20 points. That number was the deficit early in the second term before the Roosters clawed it back, then in a dramatic second half after the 'Legs led by a point at the final change, their attack was nullified as the Roosters claimed the points. Last week produced wins for both sides, Norwood bringing down the Eagles by four goals, while the Roosters put the Magpies to the sword in emphatic fashion. The opening 15 minutes were largely dictated by the Roosters, who had kicked to a two-goal lead with their 2.2 to two behinds. But then the 'Legs found the sticks in the later minutes, scoring a further 3.1 to take a quarter-time lead of eight points. This trend was repeated in the following period, which no doubt would have frustrated the North faithful to watch their charges assert themselves only to run out of puff again. The 'Legs would still be ahead at the long break, after a 5.1 to 5.3 second term the advantage was a single major. Fun fact about this season, in all games the Roosters have played in whether won or lost, only the Crows have scored in excess of 100 points against them. And this is where the Redlegs left the Roosters in their rear view mirror. Norwood dominated the third quarter, keeping the Roosters to two goals whilst bagging 5.2 themselves to take their lead out to 26 points by three quarter-time. It could have been a goal less than that if not for a rundown tackle on a North attacker closing in on goal. The Roosters' grip on top spot is probably not fully assured after this, the home side finishing off with a 4.1 to 2.3 final term to win by six goals and edge ever closer to the coveted third spot currently held by the Tigers. Jacob Kennerley was the stand-in skipper and also best afield for Norwood, with 33 disposals, seven marks and two goals. North named Will Combe as their best with 28 disposals, two goals and eight marks.
The final match for the weekend was played out on the Sunday afternoon, over in the leafy surrounds of the Wigan Oval in Unley where the Double Blues faced the Crows. The last time these sides met, the Blues' second term was probably the difference maker as they ran out 21-point victors at the Adelaide Oval back in Round 9. After a tense opening term, the Blues kicked six goals to two and then held off the late Adelaide challenge for the win. The Crows brought the game back to a three-kick gap only five minutes into the last term, but couldn't take advantage of the Blues' second half inaccuracy. In fact, since that win, the Blues hadn't tasted victory until last week. They accounted for the Bloods at home by 40 points, while Adelaide were far too strong for the Tigers at Brighton Road in their 74-point demolition job. The Crows opened the scoring, but the Blues asserted themselves later to kick three goals without a miss to Adelaide's paltry 1.1 to lead by 11 points at quarter-time. The Blues looked like they were going to more than improve upon their last outing as they ran out to a 43-point lead only 15 minutes into the term with their score of 5.2 to nothing. But then the Crows slashed that gap almost right back to what it was at the end of the opening quarter. The Blues let an eight-kick advantage slip, Adelaide scoring 4.2 in response as their lead was reduced to 17 points going into the sheds at the long break. Talk about a tease. If some rockets weren't fired in the Sturt rooms during the break, I'd be surprised. The Blues opened the third quarter on the right note with the first goal of the second half, but fell silent again for an 18-minute period. A four-goal run by the Crows in that time saw them in front for the first time since the first few minutes of the game. Sturt woke up late in the term to kick the last three goals to restore their half-time lead of 17 points. That lapse in those last minutes by the Crows in that quarter would cost them in the end, the Blues' defence holding back the Adelaide attack long enough to ensure a home victory. Sturt would win by 11 points after a 1.1 to 2.1 final term. Guy Page was the ball magnet this day for Sturt, notching up 27 disposals and taking 15 marks. For the Crows, their man was Jay Boyle with 25 disposals, 11 tackles and six clearances.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 14 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday July 9
Central District 12.11 (83)
West Adelaide 7.12 (54)
1,275 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
South Adelaide 10.10 (70)
Glenelg 3.7 (25)
1,287 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
Woodville-West Torrens 13.11 (89)
Port Adelaide 4.5 (29)
1,632 @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Elizabeth
Norwood 17.8 (110)
North Adelaide 11.8 (74)
2,121 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Sunday July 10
Sturt 13.4 (82)
Adelaide 11.5 (71)
2,288 @ Wigan Oval, Unley
INJURIES
W-WT -- T. Menzel (knee)
Adelaide -- Strachan (shoulder)
REPORTS
Central -- East (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
-----------------------------------------------------
North -- 20pts (10-3-0), 58.4%
Adelaide -- 18pts (9-4-0), 57.8%
Glenelg -- 18pts (9-4-0), 52.5%
Norwood -- 16pts (8-5-0), 54.1%
W-WT -- 16pts (8-5-0), 52.9%
------------------------------------------------------
Sturt -- 16pts (8-5-0), 52.1%
South -- 12pts (6-7-0), 48.9%
Central -- 8pts (4-9-0), 43.6%
Port -- 6pts (3-10-0), 40.1%
West -- 0pts (0-13-0), 38.9%
------------------------------------------------------
CROWEATER JUNIORS WIN NATIONAL SERIES
The South Australian lads are the winners of the U-16 AFL National Championships, victorious in their final match against Victoria Country at Thebarton Oval on Saturday. With news of Western Australia defeating Victoria Metro in their last game of the series, the Croweaters suddenly had a sniff of winning the title. The Croweaters were far cleaner in goal than their Vic Country counterparts, though they had more chances on goal their accuracy left much to be desired. The SA kids led by three points at quarter-time, the board reading 2.1 to 1.4. It was then the Croweaters turn to have a hard spell on goals, but kept the Vics well in check to extend their lead to 14 points by the half-time break with their 2.7 to 1.2. From here the South Aussies couldn't be caught, though still finding majors hard to bag in the third term as they added a further 3.5 to VC's two goals. At the final change the lead was 25 points. With the title well and truly there for the taking, the Croweaters exploded in the final quarter, running rings around Country to bag 7.2 to one goal, running out rampant 63-point winners. For this outing, acting captain Ned Atkinson was named best afield with 25 disposals and eight marks. Overall for the tournament, Central District tall defender Will McCabe was voted as SA's MVP. This championship victory is South Australia's sixth title, following successful tournaments in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016 & 2018.
South Australia 14.15 (99) def. Victoria Counry 5.6 (36)
MAGPIES TO PLAY OUT SEASON AWAY FROM HOME
For the remaining games of the season, the Magpies will be playing their last two home games away from their spiritual home of Alberton Oval, with upgrades of facilities beginning ahead of the inaugural season of the Power's AFL-W side. New coaches boxes and media facilities are to be completed before the new women's side takes to the field at PAFC headquarters, in a revamped competition that will begin as the mens' home and away season is coming to an end. The first home game is scheduled to be on Saturday September 3. Other than this weekend's game against West Adelaide which has been relocated to Richmond Oval, the match against Central District in Round 16 is to be played under lights at Woodville on Saturday July 23.
Next weekend in Round 15...
Saturday July 16
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens; ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg @ 1:05pm
Central District vs. Sturt; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Adelaide; Bennett Oval, Whyalla Stuart @ 4pm
Sunday July 17 @ 2:10pm
South Adelaide vs. Norwood; Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
This past weekend saw a trio of results that were nothing short of shocking. Yes my fellow SA footy-heads, I'm opening this week's blog with yet another spoiler. The top five sides are not totally assured of their spots, no less those up top. The three top sides have been somewhat coasting, with some minor slip ups here and there but this weekend well and truly took the cake. The Roosters, the Tigers and the Crows were all dealt some reality checks in their encounters and if the fortunes of the lower-end and mid-table sides continue, could we see a change in the make up of the finals come September? Of course that is still a couple of months away. Also over the last couple of weeks we've also observed the Indigenous Round and NAIDOC week. For many an SANFL fan, these would evoke memories. There's been wizards aplenty in the league over the last 60 years. Some names that would spring to mind would be South Adelaide's David Kantilla, who under Neil Kerley elevated the Panthers from paupers to premiers in 1964. The excitement machine himself, Sturt's Michael Graham, otherwise known as "Flash" (aaah aaaaah!). The Centrals duo of Sonny Morey and Wilbur Wilson. And of course the McAdams, Greg and Gilbert, the latter taking out the Magarey Medal in 1989. In more modern times, we've had names like Rioli added to the SANFL honour roll, young Willie helping to bring Glenelg their first flag in over 30 years in 2017. Robbie Young, one of the Roosters' 2018 flag heroes. Anthony Wilson, whose flair brought Norwood to a third consecutive title in 2014 and starred for the state side on two occasions. No doubt there's plenty more of those kinds of stars in the future, from the land of the Kaurna people and beyond.
Welcome to the Round 14 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
We begin the weekend's action with the first of four Saturday afternoon games, the Bloods taking on the Bulldogs at the Hisense Stadium in Richmond. The last time these sides met, it ended in shocking fashion for the current cellar-dwellers. The Bloods looked like they were skipping off to victory at the Ponderosa in Round 2, leading by six straight kicks at half-time thanks to the Dogs' horrid kicking for goal with the board reading 2.8 to 9.3. The Bulldogs flipped the script and proceeded to kick 11 of the next 13 goals to win by 20 points. While the Bloods still haven't put a dub to their name this season, the Dogs had to wait until Round 11 for their next win. They did add a third to their record last week, scoring a point prior to the final siren against South at home while West were beaten by the Eagles. The Dogs were all over the Bloods early on, but inaccuracy on goal saw them lead by six points at quarter-time with a tally of 3.6 to three goals. At least two of those missed chances were absolute sitters from within 25 metres straight in front. That accuracy isses wasn't a problem in the second term, the bug transferring to the Bloods' camp who kicked 1.4 while the Dogs bagged 5.1 to take their advantage out to 27 points come half-time. The second half was a bit less showy from the Dogs, who were back to making some of their most rage-inducing mistakes. But as hard as the Bloods tried and try they did, impact on the scoreboard was lacking as Centrals held firm against most of the home side's challenges. The long break lead the Bulldogs held was cut down a couple of points, outscored 2.3 to 2.1 in the third quarter to reduce the gap to 25 points by the final change. West continued to pepper their goals in the final term, but a return of 1.5 wasn't going to stop the visitors from claiming a fourth win in 2022. Much like the Dogs in the opening term, there were two absolute prime chances for the Bloods with an unguarded goal square begging to be exploited. The Dogs scored an additional 2.3 to take out a 29-point win, elevating themselves to eighth position. Ethan East scored four of the 12 goals, but Justin Hoskin was Centrals' best afield with 28 disposals, six marks and four tackles. For the Bloods it was Patrick Fairlie once again with 31 disposals as well as nine tackles and clearances.
Now we turn our attention to one of the shockers from this round, we now head down south for the "Clash of the Cats" contest at the Flinders University Stadium in Noarlunga between the Panthers and the Tigers. Back in Round 7 at Brighton Road, the Tigers left it until the final term to outrun the Panthers to win by 34 points. South had a slow start that probably contributed to their eventual downfall, but it wasn't as if the door wasn't left wide open for three quarters. They were only two straight kicks adrift before the Tigers finally put it beyond doubt, though they could very well had won by a lot more if not for their inaccuracy. The Panthers were dealt a last-second blow at Elizabeth last week as the Dogs landed one last score to go down by a point, while the Tigers copped a 74-point hammering from Adelaide. But if that wasn't going to put Glenelg's finals credentials under the spotlight, well there was going to be more questions asked this week. The Tigers were held to just a single missed opportunity in the opening quarter, while the Panthers kicked away to a 25-point quarter-time lead after they scored 4.2. The goals continued to elude the Tigers in the second quarter, missing a further five chances while the Panthers added a further 3.1 to their score. At the half-time break, the Panthers were out to a 39-point lead and they wouldn't look back. In fact, there would be no need to look back. The Panthers defenders were doing a sterling job against the Tigers, who only weeks ago hammered the Blues and looked like real contenders. Not today. The Tigers would finally find the goals in the third quarter, but weren't going to make up any ground. The Panthers did fluff several big chances to hammer the point home, but their 2.5 to 2.1 did stretch their advantage to 43 points going into the final stanza. The Tigers would end up with their lowest score for the season, if not for several seasons, as well as having one of their dominant forwards in recent memory reduced to a spectator. South finished with a 2.2 to one goal final term to run out 45-point winners, giving their finals chances a much-needed shot in the arm. Keegan Brooskby was best for South, only managing 19 disposals but also made nine clearances and four tackles. The Bays would vote in Matt Snook as their best with 23 disposals and 10 tackles.
The next game on the schedule takes us to the Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Woodville as the Eagles and the Magpies met for the Battle of the Birds. Not even the star power of a returning Charlie Dixon could save the Magpies the last time they met their Port Road rivals, the Eagles victorious at Alberton in Round 6. Port outworked the Eagles in the second term to lead by five points at half-time, but went to sleep in the second term to be held scoreless as the reigning premiers took over. The Eagles scored seven goals to two for the entire second half to win by 26 points. Last week the Eagles were brought down for the second time in three weeks by the Redlegs at Norwood, while the Magpies fielded probably one of their weakest line-ups possibly in its entire history to score just 1.4 against North, who would inflict a 21-goal smashing at Prospect. That seemed to be rectified this week at least for the opening quarter, but accuracy on goal by the Magpies only allowed them to lead by just nine points at quarter-time with a scoreline of 2.4 to the Eagles' 1.1. But from here the Magpies were back to their old habits, though to their credit it wasn't going to be nearly as embarrassing as the demolition job they copped last week, only half as embarrassing. The Eagles bagged 5.3 to the Magpies' single major, going into the long break with a three-goal lead. There would be precious little for the Eagles to do from here, meeting very little resistance. The Eagles' third quarter in front of goal wasn't destructive, but seeing as the Magpies could only manage a single behind there wasn't much to worry about. The visitors scored 2.4 to take their advantage out to 33 points come three quarter-time, but they still weren't out of fuel. The current champions rammed the point home in the final term, Port scoring just one goal while the Eagles scored 5.3 to post a 10-goal victory. Daniel Menzel scored seven goals, but it was Riley Knight that took out best afield honours for the Eagles with his tally of 33 disposals, nine marks and five tackles. The Magpies would name Steven Motlop as their standout with 32 disposals, six marks and seven clearances.
The last game to be held on the Saturday arvo takes us to the eastern side of town and into the Coopers Stadium at Norwood for one of the shortest trips between grounds as the Redlegs hosted the Roosters. The last time these sides met was only five weeks ago, in an absolute arm-wrestle back in Round 9 at Menzies Crescent. The Roosters won by 11 points, after a back and forth battle in front of sticks where the gap never exceeded 20 points. That number was the deficit early in the second term before the Roosters clawed it back, then in a dramatic second half after the 'Legs led by a point at the final change, their attack was nullified as the Roosters claimed the points. Last week produced wins for both sides, Norwood bringing down the Eagles by four goals, while the Roosters put the Magpies to the sword in emphatic fashion. The opening 15 minutes were largely dictated by the Roosters, who had kicked to a two-goal lead with their 2.2 to two behinds. But then the 'Legs found the sticks in the later minutes, scoring a further 3.1 to take a quarter-time lead of eight points. This trend was repeated in the following period, which no doubt would have frustrated the North faithful to watch their charges assert themselves only to run out of puff again. The 'Legs would still be ahead at the long break, after a 5.1 to 5.3 second term the advantage was a single major. Fun fact about this season, in all games the Roosters have played in whether won or lost, only the Crows have scored in excess of 100 points against them. And this is where the Redlegs left the Roosters in their rear view mirror. Norwood dominated the third quarter, keeping the Roosters to two goals whilst bagging 5.2 themselves to take their lead out to 26 points by three quarter-time. It could have been a goal less than that if not for a rundown tackle on a North attacker closing in on goal. The Roosters' grip on top spot is probably not fully assured after this, the home side finishing off with a 4.1 to 2.3 final term to win by six goals and edge ever closer to the coveted third spot currently held by the Tigers. Jacob Kennerley was the stand-in skipper and also best afield for Norwood, with 33 disposals, seven marks and two goals. North named Will Combe as their best with 28 disposals, two goals and eight marks.
The final match for the weekend was played out on the Sunday afternoon, over in the leafy surrounds of the Wigan Oval in Unley where the Double Blues faced the Crows. The last time these sides met, the Blues' second term was probably the difference maker as they ran out 21-point victors at the Adelaide Oval back in Round 9. After a tense opening term, the Blues kicked six goals to two and then held off the late Adelaide challenge for the win. The Crows brought the game back to a three-kick gap only five minutes into the last term, but couldn't take advantage of the Blues' second half inaccuracy. In fact, since that win, the Blues hadn't tasted victory until last week. They accounted for the Bloods at home by 40 points, while Adelaide were far too strong for the Tigers at Brighton Road in their 74-point demolition job. The Crows opened the scoring, but the Blues asserted themselves later to kick three goals without a miss to Adelaide's paltry 1.1 to lead by 11 points at quarter-time. The Blues looked like they were going to more than improve upon their last outing as they ran out to a 43-point lead only 15 minutes into the term with their score of 5.2 to nothing. But then the Crows slashed that gap almost right back to what it was at the end of the opening quarter. The Blues let an eight-kick advantage slip, Adelaide scoring 4.2 in response as their lead was reduced to 17 points going into the sheds at the long break. Talk about a tease. If some rockets weren't fired in the Sturt rooms during the break, I'd be surprised. The Blues opened the third quarter on the right note with the first goal of the second half, but fell silent again for an 18-minute period. A four-goal run by the Crows in that time saw them in front for the first time since the first few minutes of the game. Sturt woke up late in the term to kick the last three goals to restore their half-time lead of 17 points. That lapse in those last minutes by the Crows in that quarter would cost them in the end, the Blues' defence holding back the Adelaide attack long enough to ensure a home victory. Sturt would win by 11 points after a 1.1 to 2.1 final term. Guy Page was the ball magnet this day for Sturt, notching up 27 disposals and taking 15 marks. For the Crows, their man was Jay Boyle with 25 disposals, 11 tackles and six clearances.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 14 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday July 9
Central District 12.11 (83)
West Adelaide 7.12 (54)
1,275 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
South Adelaide 10.10 (70)
Glenelg 3.7 (25)
1,287 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
Woodville-West Torrens 13.11 (89)
Port Adelaide 4.5 (29)
1,632 @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Elizabeth
Norwood 17.8 (110)
North Adelaide 11.8 (74)
2,121 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Sunday July 10
Sturt 13.4 (82)
Adelaide 11.5 (71)
2,288 @ Wigan Oval, Unley
INJURIES
W-WT -- T. Menzel (knee)
Adelaide -- Strachan (shoulder)
REPORTS
Central -- East (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
-----------------------------------------------------
North -- 20pts (10-3-0), 58.4%
Adelaide -- 18pts (9-4-0), 57.8%
Glenelg -- 18pts (9-4-0), 52.5%
Norwood -- 16pts (8-5-0), 54.1%
W-WT -- 16pts (8-5-0), 52.9%
------------------------------------------------------
Sturt -- 16pts (8-5-0), 52.1%
South -- 12pts (6-7-0), 48.9%
Central -- 8pts (4-9-0), 43.6%
Port -- 6pts (3-10-0), 40.1%
West -- 0pts (0-13-0), 38.9%
------------------------------------------------------
CROWEATER JUNIORS WIN NATIONAL SERIES
The South Australian lads are the winners of the U-16 AFL National Championships, victorious in their final match against Victoria Country at Thebarton Oval on Saturday. With news of Western Australia defeating Victoria Metro in their last game of the series, the Croweaters suddenly had a sniff of winning the title. The Croweaters were far cleaner in goal than their Vic Country counterparts, though they had more chances on goal their accuracy left much to be desired. The SA kids led by three points at quarter-time, the board reading 2.1 to 1.4. It was then the Croweaters turn to have a hard spell on goals, but kept the Vics well in check to extend their lead to 14 points by the half-time break with their 2.7 to 1.2. From here the South Aussies couldn't be caught, though still finding majors hard to bag in the third term as they added a further 3.5 to VC's two goals. At the final change the lead was 25 points. With the title well and truly there for the taking, the Croweaters exploded in the final quarter, running rings around Country to bag 7.2 to one goal, running out rampant 63-point winners. For this outing, acting captain Ned Atkinson was named best afield with 25 disposals and eight marks. Overall for the tournament, Central District tall defender Will McCabe was voted as SA's MVP. This championship victory is South Australia's sixth title, following successful tournaments in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016 & 2018.
South Australia 14.15 (99) def. Victoria Counry 5.6 (36)
MAGPIES TO PLAY OUT SEASON AWAY FROM HOME
For the remaining games of the season, the Magpies will be playing their last two home games away from their spiritual home of Alberton Oval, with upgrades of facilities beginning ahead of the inaugural season of the Power's AFL-W side. New coaches boxes and media facilities are to be completed before the new women's side takes to the field at PAFC headquarters, in a revamped competition that will begin as the mens' home and away season is coming to an end. The first home game is scheduled to be on Saturday September 3. Other than this weekend's game against West Adelaide which has been relocated to Richmond Oval, the match against Central District in Round 16 is to be played under lights at Woodville on Saturday July 23.
Next weekend in Round 15...
Saturday July 16
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens; ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg @ 1:05pm
Central District vs. Sturt; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Adelaide; Bennett Oval, Whyalla Stuart @ 4pm
Sunday July 17 @ 2:10pm
South Adelaide vs. Norwood; Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
