SANFL 2024 -- Round 4 Wrap-Up

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raboyle

Norm Smith Medallist
May 8, 2001
5,670
824
X Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
AFL Club
Adelaide
Other Teams
CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...

Over the previous few weeks, two sides have been putting the league on notice and its almost like a trip back to the 2000's. The Bulldogs and the Eagles had a storied rivalry over 12 seasons from the end of the 20th century to the beginning of the 2010's. They clashed in six Grand Finals and although the Bulldogs won the bulk of them it was the Eagles who would have the last laugh, putting an end to Central's decade of dominance. It looks as though its happening all over again with the two teams on top of the ladder ahead of this past weekend's clash. However during this past week, all attention was elsewhere after a post-game mishap left a West Adelaide player in an induced coma. The circumstances behind this incident will no doubt have the club chiefs having serious chats to their players about after match festivities, especially on these rare road trips. Anyone who has returned to their club's facilities for presentations will know that despite most SANFL players do follow guidelines already set by their leadership groups, it's not always the case for others. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

Welcome to the Round 4 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.

Of course, this round being the Anzac Day weekend, it's time for the re-match of last year's Grand Final as the Tigers faced the Double Blues at the Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg on Thursday afternoon. The regular season points were shared, with the respective home sides coming out on top. Last year's season opener saw the Blues triumphant by 31 points at Unley, but the Tigers rained all holy hell on the Blues at Brighton Road in Round 9 with a 105-point smashing. That early loss was just a minor speed bump as the Tigers went on to win the title, shaking off an inaccuracy-cursed Blues outfit by four goals in the 2023 decider. While the Tigers were triumphant last week against Adelaide, the Blues were given a shock at the hands of the Roosters in their one-goal defeat. The Bays would draw first blood with the opening goal, but were then caught off-guard as the Blues took control and despite missing a few chances, would lead by 15 points at quarter-time with the board reading 4.4 to 2.1. There wasn't much goal-front action in the second term, the Blues with the only major of the period. Glenelg couldn't find the big sticks, managing just three behinds to Sturt's four. At the long break, Sturt held a 22-point lead. Any chance of a Tigers' comeback were put well and truly to bed when play resumed, they didn't even come close to their sticks until late in the third term as the visitors more than doubled their half-time lead by the final change. If not for inaccuracy, it may have been tripled, Sturt kicking 5.7 to 2.1 as the gap went out to 46 points come three quarter-time. The home side could only cut the deficit down a smidge by game's end with their 2.3 to 1.1, the Blues answering last week's shock loss in fine fashion with a 38-point victory and ending a losing streak at Glenelg going back to 2017. Will Snelling was adjudged best afield, taking the Bob Quinn Medal with his 33 disposals, eight clearances and a massive 18 tackles. The Tigers named Jonty Scharenberg as their best, with 22 disposals and six tackles.

The rest of the weekend's football action would take place on Saturday, the first takes us to the west side of town and into the Hisense Stadium in Richmond where the Bloods hosted the Panthers. These were another pair of teams that traded victories over one another last season, the Bloods winning their Round 3 game at Milner Road by 22 points, then the Panthers returned serve at Noarlunga by 22 points in a low-scoring match in Round 15. Both teams were dealt losses in their respective games last week, with South going down to the Bulldogs at home, but over in Port Lincoln, not only did the Bloods go down fighting but afterwards at some point in the early hours of the next day, Bloods player Sam May's misadventures would end in a hospital bed with career-threatening if not life-threatening injuries. With this no doubt burning in the backs of their minds and that of their supporters, nothing short of victory would be accepted. The first half was quite a battle, the two sides only separated by a point at quarter-time in South's favour, the board reading 3.4 to 3.3. Then a lowly second term saw the Bloods usurp that lead by the half-time siren, kicking 1.3 to two behinds to lead by a goal at the break. When play resumed however, the Bloods would unleash their wrath. They kicked four goals before the Panthers got their only major of the third term, the Bloods altogether booted 6.2 to 1.1 to take their lead out to 37 points. It didn't stop there though, the visitors' remaining on the bottom of the ladder as Westies added more pain, bagging 7.2 to 2.2 to run out 67-point winners. Kobe Ryan was best for West, with 33 disposals, 10 clearances and nine tackles. The Panthers would name Callum McCarty as their standout with 37 disposals, 11 clearances and nine tackles.

Next we head up to the outer northern suburbs for a renewal of old hostilities for the top of the table clash between the Bulldogs and the Eagles at the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth. These were another pair of clubs that landed blows on one another over season 2023, the Eagles winning by four goals at Woodville in Round 6, then the Bulldogs at Elizabeth in Round 10 by 17 points. The later game was hit by a rain bomb minutes before the bounce, the deck getting absolutely sodden and only 10 goals were kicked in total, Centrals kicking six. With the two sides atop the table, this was the Dogs' one true test this year with the Eagles kicking more than 50 goals in the first three games. Both sides were undefeated as well, winning their respective games against South and Port last week... it felt like the 2000's again. The Bulldogs started the day's proceedings on the right note, taking the Eagles by surprise early to take a 19-point lead into the first change, scoring 5.2 to 2.1 in the opening term. The Eagles got more opportunities in the second term, but inaccuracy allowed the Dogs to maintain their four-kick advantage going into the long break. That deficit was extended to 21 points, Centrals kicking four goals without a miss to the Eagles' 3.4. The Eagles had some key outs, but the Dogs by this time had some of their own. The home side was coping much better despite that, though the third term was far less spectacular on the scoreboard. Both sides scored two majors each, a missed chance for the Dogs just prior to time on kept the gap at four kicks, a 22-point lead to the home side. The Eagles rallied in the final term, but a stern Centrals defence and some missed chances kept the visitors from overtaking. In the end the Dogs maintained their unbeaten start, winning by 15 points after a 3.3 to 4.4 last quarter. Harry Grant was Centrals' best, the reigning Magarey Medallist notching up 28 disposals, 10 tackles and seven marks. James Rowe battled hard and was named best on ground for the Eagles with 34 disposals, six tackles/marks/clearances and two goals.

The last of the daylight matches for the Saturday would take place in the inner north of town, the Roosters clashing with the Crows at Prospect Oval. Once again, the points would be shared between the teams from last year's outings at Menzies Crescent, with the Crows taking the Round 5 game by 47 points and then the Roosters surviving a late scare to win by nine points in Round 11. The Crows' final term charge in that later game would be undone by poor shooting on goal. They peppered their sticks plenty but a return of 1.6 against North's single major was not enough. The Roosters broke through for their first win of the season with a shock triumph over the Blues by a goal last week, while the Crows went down to the reigning premiers by 38 points at Brighton Road. The Roosters began with a bang, putting a major on the board within 50 seconds among their 6.3 to Adelaide's 2.1 to lead by 26 points at quarter-time. Further forays into attack by the Roosters would be few an far between in the second term as the Crows attempted to reel them back in, though they'd have to settle for chipping a goal from that margin before the long break after one late chance went begging. Adelaide scored 2.2 to 1.2, the Roosters' lead down to 20 points at half-time. North regained their spark in the third quarter, restricting the visitors to just 1.3 whilst bagging 4.3 for themselves to hold a 38-point advantage at three quarter-time. The wheels almost fell off for the home side in the final term, a bout of inaccuracy creeping in as the Crows mounted a final assault. But it would still be well beyond Adelaide's grasp, they kicked 5.2 to 1.4 as the Roosters notched their second win for the year by 16 points. Harrison Wigg was very handy in defence of the lead, named best for North with 35 disposals, eight marks and five tackles. Daniel Curtain made a case for promotion as Adelaide's best afield, with 31 disposals and seven marks.

The final match of the year would take place under the newest lighting system in the league, with the Magpies taking on the Redlegs in the original SA rivalry at Alberton Oval. Yep... you guessed it, sharing is caring though no love is lost. These sides took victories over one another last season, with both ending in seven-point deficits starting with the 'Pies at Alberton in Round 5, then the Redlegs at The Parade in Round 10. Also on both occasions, the winning side had a hell of a time in front of goal with only eight goals in both games. Only the Redlegs came out on top last week with their win out in Port Lincoln against the Bloods, the Magpies on the other hand fell away after half-time at Woodville in the battle of Port Road. This game wasn't going to be a tidy affair... much like last year's encounters, inaccuracy on goal was a factor. The Redlegs controlled most of the opening term, but a return of 2.3 to 1.2 would keep things interesting at least, a seven-point lead to the visitors at quarter-time. The Magpies kicked three goals on the trot over the course of five minutes in the middle of the second term, taking over the lead. Two minutes later it was nicked back by the 'Legs, who would bag three of their own. With missed chances counted, the Redlegs led by 10 points at half-time. The Redlegs continued to put some distance between them and their old rivals when play resumed, but the continued inaccuracy kept the gap somewhat do-able if Port were able to string some together. They wouldn't though, at three quarter-time the visitors were out to a 25-point lead after scoring 3.4 to 1.1. Even as the Redlegs' engine room started to sputter in the final quarter where they kicked just two points, the Magpies couldn't bridge the gap. They scored just 1.3, the 'Legs leaving Queen Street with a three-goal win to remain undefeated. Mitch O'Neill was named best for the Redlegs, with 23 disposals, 11 tackles and five clearances. In the Magpies' camp, they named Nick Moore with 23 disposals, 13 tackles and 10 clearances.

FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 4 OF THE SANFL...
Thursday April 25

Sturt 11.16 (82)
Glenelg 6.8 (44)
6,023 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg

Saturday April 27
West Adelaide 17.10 (112)
South Adelaide 6.8 (45)
1,210 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond

Central District 14.6 (90)
Woodville-West Torrens 11.9 (75)
2,105 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth

North Adelaide 12.12 (84)
Adelaide 10.8 (68)
2,005 @ Prospect Oval

Norwood 8.13 (61)
Port Adelaide 6.7 (43)
1,894 @ Alberton Oval


INJURIES
Glenelg -- Hosie (hand), Proud (leg)
West -- Morrish (calf), Higham (ankle)
South -- McGary (knee), Megins (ankle)
Central -- Pearce (shoulder)
W-WT -- McFarlane (knee)
North -- Tasker (knee)
Norwood -- Jenkins (hamstring), Panos (knee)
Port -- Weidemann (hand), Stevens (calf)

REPORTS
North -- Lockyer (rough conduct)
Norwood -- Graham, Donnelly (melee)
Port -- Weidemann, Ferrari (melee)


LEAGUE LADDER
----------------------------------------
Central -- 8pts (4-0-0), 59.9%
Norwood -- 8pts (4-0-0), 59.4%
W-WT -- 6pts (3-1-0), 62.1%
Sturt -- 4pts (2-2-0), 56.8%
Glenelg -- 4pts (2-2-0), 53.2%

----------------------------------------
West -- 4pts (2-2-0), 49.5%
North -- 4pts (2-2-0), 42.3%
Adelaide -- 2pts (1-3-0), 42%
Port -- 0pts (0-4-0), 41.1%
South -- 0pts (0-4-0), 37.4%
----------------------------------------

LADY CROWEATERS READY FOR ACTION
Taken from SANFL Website, thanks to Zac Milbank.

Glenelg captain Sam Franson has been chosen to lead the SANFL-W State Team in its historic encounter with the WAFL-W in Perth this Saturday.

Versatile utility Franson, the Tigers’ sole skipper this season after sharing duties with Ellie Kellock in 2023, will be joined by fellow SANFL-W captains Shelby Smith (Central District) and Annie Falkenberg (Woodville-West Torrens) in the three-player leadership group. ”It’s an honor just to be a part of this squad and now the team and to lead you guys, who are the best in the League, hopefully I will do you all proud,” Franson told her teammates after last night’s announcement at training.

To be coached by Crows AFL-W assistant Courtney Cramey, the Croweaters have trimmed their squad from 30 down to the 22 players who will make the trip across the Nullarbor to face the Sandgropers. Boasting AFL-W experienced players such as Hannah Button, Jade Halfpenny and Caitlin Wendland, SA features plenty of star power with Central premiership captain Smith and Glenelg’s 2022 SANFL-W Best and Fairest Jessica Bates among those bound for the centre square. South Adelaide’s Soriah Moon looms as a key player to lead the ruck while her Panthers’ teammate Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap and Redlegs pair Tahlita Buethke and Tesharna Maher will provide plenty of outside run and carry.

Fresh from her game-winning goal for the Bulldogs in Round 8, SANFL-W leading goalkicker Katelyn Rosenzweig looms as the Croweaters’ key focal point in attack. The highly-anticipated clash will be played at Optus Stadium from 4.45pm SA time as a curtain-raiser for the West Coast v Essendon AFL match. It will be the first time since the Hostplus SANFL-W League was established in 2017 that a Women’s State League clash takes place on the domestic stage. The match can be viewed live and on demand for free on SANFL Now.


Next weekend in Round 5...

Thursday May 2 @ 3:20pm
Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide; Adelaide Oval

Saturday May 4 @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Norwood; Prospect Oval
West Adelaide vs. Central District; Hisense Stadium, Richmond
South Adelaide vs. Glenelg; Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga

Sunday May 5 @ 2:10pm
Sturt vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Thomas Farms Oval, Unley

So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
 
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