- May 8, 2001
- 5,734
- 967
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
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- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
Another of our favourite sons was lost this past fortnight with the passing of North Adelaide premiership player and member of the Legends wing in the AFL Hall of Fame, Barrie Robran. Arriving at Menzies Crescent in the late 1960's from the Iron Triangle city of Whyalla, Robran would be the recipient of three Magarey Medals, seven club best & fairest awards, would pull on the red for South Australia on 17 occasions, as well as deliver two flags in 1971 and 1972. The latter would be followed by a historic one-point victory over Victorian premiers Carlton -- where he famously eluded the grasp of one Alex Jesaulenko -- to win the Championship of Australia at Adelaide Oval, where today you'll find his statue at the southern gates. A knee injury during a state game in 1974 against Victoria would impact his overall ability as a player, but would soldier on to notch up 200 games and finishing his career in 1980. In the ensuing years afterwards, SA footy-heads would often catch him around Prospect Oval, including in recent times as one of the volunteers on match day. This opening paragraph only barely scratches the surface of what Barrie meant to so many, not just for the Roosters and their faithful, but for Australian Football as a whole. If you don't know, there's plenty of footage around on YouTube and written pieces to be found on the web.
May he rest in peace.
Welcome to the Round 14 & 15 Wrap-Up for SANFL 2025.
There would be four games on the Saturday afternoon, the first of which takes us to the east side of town and into the Coopers Stadium in Norwood where the Redlegs faced the Eagles. It was back in Round 2 at Woodville that the Eagles won by six points in front of one of their best turnouts this year. The 'Legs blew a five-kick half-time lead, the Eagles kicking 10 goals to four in the second half for the win. Nowadays things are very different. The Redlegs, despite a loss at the Ponderosa a fortnight ago, look set to capitalise on the Eagles' recent misfortunes. Norwood look like a side on the march, while the Eagles' loss to West along with consecutive three-digit losses are on the slide and today was going to be yet another horrid outing in their mid-season slump. The punishment began in earnest, with the Redlegs ramming through seven goals to the Eagles' single major. It could have been a few goals more if not for a few missed shots, both teams kicking four behinds as well as the 'Legs went into the huddle at quarter-time six goals ahead. Then came the second term where the Eagles never found the big sticks, managing just one behind while Norwood added a further 6.4 to take their lead out to 75 points at the long break. Without the more experienced players, this was just another football reality lesson for what could be considered less than second string outfit. The deficit would reach triple figures only 10 minutes into the third quarter after the home side kicked five goals, only pegged back to under 100 with a late goal to the visitors. At three quarter-time, it was a 98-point lead and the writing was well and truly on the wall. The dreaded three number loss was imminent as the Redlegs finished with another six goals to one, along with some behinds they finished up 131-point winners. Billy Cootee was rampant as Norwood's best afield, with 39 disposals, 12 marks, six clearances and four tackles. The Eagles named Connor Ballenden as their standout with 11 disposals, six marks and all three of the Eagles' goals. Their grip on fifth is far from absolute.
We now cross from the east side to the south side, from Norwood to Unley and into the Thomas Farms Oval where the Double Blues hosted the Bulldogs. Not even an average showing in front of goal could stop the Blues from re-establishing their dominance over the Dogs at Elizabeth, winning by 38 points back in Round 8. Sturt kicked 9.14 that day, but on the other side of the coin it was the start of a horror three weeks for Centrals, who up until then looked a true top-three side. The Blues' history making run seems to have no signs of coming to an end anytime soon, the Magpies their latest victim at Alberton while the Bulldogs emerged victorious against Norwood at home. Though the Dogs would bag the first major in very little time, it was not going to be long before the Blues asserted themselves. By quarter-time the Blues were ahead by 26 points, the board reading 7.4 to 3.2. It was pretty much onward and upward from there for Sturt, though they weren't going to reach the heights of their previous three weeks. The Dogs were putting up more resistance, even if it didn't seem like it on the scoreboard. Their problem was skill errors. The Blues took their lead to 45 points by half-time, adding 4.5 to Centrals' 1.4 in the second term. Inaccuracy from the home side was also stopping yet another massive run-over, but their ability to find free players was keeping the Dogs from mounting any kind of meaningful attack. Sturt added another 2.4 to 2.2 in the third, stretching their lead to 47 points at the final change. The only positive for the visitors was not falling by an even more extravagant margin, in the end it was a 51-point win for the Blues after a 4.1 to 3.3 final term. Amos Doyle was named best for Sturt, with 21 disposals, six clearances and four marks. Kade Dittmar was Centrals' best with 19 disposals, six tackles and five clearances.
The third match for the weekend takes us to the south-western suburbs and into the Stratarama Stadium for the "Clash of the Cats" between the Tigers and the Panthers. Last time they met in Round 8 it wasn't much of a contest once the Tigers got going, running off to a 68-point victory at Noarlunga. They were very efficient with it too, kicking missing just five from 24 scoring shots. Their respective outings in Round 13 would have the Tigers down the Crows on the back of a six goal to three third term to win by 28 points, while the Panthers notched up their third win of the year at Prospect in similar fashion. Not many would have this game, much like one down south, down as much of a contest. Well they were going to be proven wrong, at least initially. The Tigers would have two of the first three goals, holding a 15-point lead prior to time-on. That was reeled back to an eight-point deficit at quarter-time, the scoreboard reading 3.3 to 2.1. The Panthers would then shock the assembled locals in a goals-a-plenty second quarter, kicking the last four majors of the half to take over the lead going into the sheds at the long break. All scores counted it was South with 7.1 to the Bays' four goals, the visitors ahead by 11 points. The Panthers seemed to have the home side's measure when play resumed, even extending their advantage to 16 points by three quarter-time after scoring 4.2 to 3.3 in the third period. But then came a string of controversial umpiring calls that brought all of the Panthers work undone, to which coach Matt Wright will likely be seeking answers during this week. The South faithful could only watch as the Tigers kicked seven goals to two in the final term, the last three during added time breaking their hearts. In the end the premiers would retain control of the Carey-Darley Trophy with a 14-point win. Glenelg would vote in Max Proud as their best afield with 21 disposals, 16 marks and six tackles, while the Panthers had Olivier Northam with 19 disposals, seven clearances and five tackles.
We now head back to the city and cross to the western side for the match between the Bloods and the Crows at the Hisense Stadium in Richmond. The opening round of the season was a brutal way to start the year for the Bloods, with the Crows running roughshod over them to win by 95 points. Westies never found the big sticks until the final quarter, by that time the Crows had 13 on the board. The Bloods finally got win number two in their western derby against the Eagles two weekends ago, while Adelaide were outrun by the reigning premiers at Brighton Road. Westies started off promisingly by running out the opening term to lead by seven points at quarter-time, the scoreboard reading 4.2 to 3.1. But the hope of the Westies' faithful would eventually be dashed. After kicking 3.1 to Adelaide's three behinds, the Bloods were reduced to spectator status, the Crows booting nine unanswered goals and a couple more minor scores to go into the half-time break with a 33-point lead. The Crows ran the Bloods ragged with their ball movement, especially with the handballs of which they had 90 more of by game's end. The ruck belonged to them as well with almost 30 more hitouts. The run of goals would extend to 13 before the Bloods would get one of their own, which was their only major in the third quarter. Adelaide added 5.4 to 1.1, going into the final term with a 10-goal advantage. The one thing the Bloods were able to do is not allow the gap to get any bigger in the finish, they matched the goals tally of four in the final term with only a single behind's difference added to the final tally, Adelaide winning by 61. Brodie Smith was named best for Adelaide with 32 disposals, 11 marks and four tackles, while the Bloods had Isaac Johnson with 28 dipsosals, six each in tackles and marks and kicked three goals.
The last match for Round 14 would take place on the Sunday afternoon at the Prospect Oval where the Roosters took on the Magpies. Their last encounter in Round 7 at Alberton was one that got away from the Roosters. The Magpies led at all changes, but almost blew it as North edged into the lead early in last quarter added time. Port would boot the deciding major, taking a three-point win. Both teams went down in their respective matches of Round 13, the Roosters going down to South in Port Pirie by five goals, while the Magpies were dealt a trademark Sturt hammering at Queen Street. Of course it would be a sombre afternoon at Menzies Crescent with the passing of their long time hero, with more than 2200 turning up to pay their respects to the great Barrie Robran. The first quarter was score-for-score, North missing their final shot of the period to tie things up at the first change with both teams kicking 4.1 each. The Roosters looked to have turned it up a notch in the second, holding the 'Pies to one major while they kicked four of their own. Both teams put a few shots wide as well, the home side going into the changerooms at half-time with a 19-point lead. But after the break, it seemed that the wind was all but taken from North's sails, who would not make too many more meaningful attacks in the second half. The Magpies would take over, kicking six majors before the Roosters kicked their one and only. At three quarter-time, it was the visitors with a 13-point lead. The home side brought them back to within a couple of kicks only seven minutes in, but Port would kick the last four goals of the match. The Magpies would now find themselves within strike of the five, level on points with Norwood with their 32-point win. Jack Watkins was best for Port, with 31 disposals, 10 marks and seven clearances. Angus Schumacher was North's best afield with 32 disposals, nine clearances and four tackles.
We finish this edition of the wrap with the one and only match for Round 15, which was a catch up match for the Crows and the Magpies in their "mini-Showdown" at Adelaide Oval. The Crows were well on song in their last outing back in Round 6 as the away side, winning by 45 points. Adelaide were far tidier in attack, while the 'Pies were here, there and everywhere with a score of 5.13 in the finish. With both teams coming in winners from their respective games the previous week, there was a big expectation of a high quality contest. The weather would play a small part in proceedings, the heavens opening up over the previous 24 hours and dumping plenty of rain over the city and league HQ. The Crows would skew several good chances late in the opening stanza, the Magpies taking a seven-point lead into the quarter-time huddle with the board reading 5.2 to 3.7. The downpour really hit in the second term, but it didn't seem to hinder the Crows as they hit back to overturn the deficit and lead at the long break. They kicked 4.3 to Port's 2.2, Adelaide by a goal at half-time. The weather started making shooting for goal a challenging prospect, a fact that the Crows found out in the third quarter with their tally of 2.9. But they were all over the 'Pies, holding them to just 1.1 as they stretched their lead out to 20 points going into the final change. The Magpies began to reel the Crows back in, bringing the deficit back to nine points just before last quarter added time with their three goals to Adelaide's one. But that was as close as Port would get, two Crows goals early in time-on would put it beyond their reach. A last minute Magpie goal brought it down to 15 points in the end, Adelaide now two games ahead of fourth-placed Centrals while Port would stay in seventh at least for now. Matt Crouch was named Adelaide's best with 36 disposals, five tackles and marks as well as four clearances. Will Lorenz was the Magpies' best on ground, he racked up 35 disposals, nine clearances and seven tackles.
FINAL SCORES -- Round 14
Saturday July 14
Norwood 24.14 (158)
Woodville-West Torrens 3.9 (27)
1,479 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Sturt 17.14 (116)
Central District 9.11 (65)
2,410 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Glenelg 17.7 (109)
South Adelaide 15.5 (95)
2,291 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Adelaide 21.14 (140)
West Adelaide 12.7 (79)
822 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Port Adelaide 15.10 (100)
North Adelaide 10.8 (68)
2,263 @ Prospect Oval
FINAL SCORES -- Round 15
Saturday July 26
Adelaide 12.22 (94)
Port Adelaide 12.7 (79)
Adelaide Oval -- AFL curtain raiser
REPORTS
West -- Johnson (umpire contact)
North -- O'Loughlin (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
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Sturt -- 28pts (14-0-0), 64.3%
Glenelg -- 22pts (11-3-0), 59.7%
Adelaide -- 22pts (11-3-0), 59%
Central -- 18pts (9-4-0), 53.3%
W-WT -- 12pts (6-8-0), 44%
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Norwood -- 10pts (5-9-0), 53.4%
Port -- 10pts (5-9-0), 45.8%
North -- 8pts (4-10-0), 41.6%
South -- 6pts (3-11-0), 42.8%
West -- 4pts (2-12-0) 35.4%
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WOMEN'S GRAND FINAL -- Panthers go back-to-back
South Adelaide are your 2025 SANFL Women's Division premiers, accounting for the Eagles in the Grand Final at Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg this past Sunday afternoon. Not only was it back-to-back flags, but also their fourth title in eight seasons after winning 2018 and 2019. The Eagles were favourites initially, taking out the minor premiership and qualifying for the decider through the 2nd Semi-Final after defeating South in a nail-biter. But the Panthers, after hammering the Blues last week in the Preliminary Final, was the hotter outfit all round this time. They would hold the Eagles goal-less for the entire first half, scoring two goals in the first and second terms to lead by 22 points at half-time. The Eagles finally found the sticks in the second half, but not until late in the third quarter. They could only match the Panthers' score of 1.2 in that period, the earlier deficit going unchanged at three quarter-time. South would continue to keep the Eagles at arm's length, eventually running out 23-point winners after a 1.1 to one goal final term. Panther youngster Emma Charlton was the overall standout, taking out the best afield medal with 26 disposals, 10 clearances, laying seven tackles and winning six free kicks. League B&F runner-up Soriah Moon ruled the ruck with 35 hitouts, Lauren Clifton and Marley Tape had nine marks between them and there were six individual goal-kickers. Lucy Moore was the Eagles' best with 14 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances.
Sunday July 27 @ Stratarama Stadium
SANFL-W GRAND FINAL -- South Adelaide 6.5 (41) def. Woodville-West Torrens 2.6 (18)
VENNING TAKES OUT WOMEN'S B&F
West Adelaide's Zoe Venning was named the SANFL-W's standout player for 2025, winning the best and fairest award at the league's medal count on the Monday last week at Adelaide Oval. She was forced to wait until the final round of voting, behind South Adelaide ruck Soriah Moon by one vote before a readout of two votes going her way saw her win by a single vote. Venning attracted votes from the umpires in 10 games, six of them first preference for a total of 24 overall. She was also named on the wing for the Advertiser's Team of the Year, in a season where her hard running style got her stats like averages of 26.4 disposals, 5.1 clearances, 5.8 tackles and four marks while also having just two matches in which she collected 18 disposals or less. She also got state selection this season in the matches against the Victorian and West Australian sides. In the other awards, the KIA Coaches' Award went to the Eagles' Christina Leuzzi with 74 votes, while Centrals' Katelyn Rosenzweig took out a third consecutive goal-kicker's medal with 27 goals this year. The last individual honour, the SA Power Networks Leadership Award, would go to retiring Tiger Jess Bates.
CROWEATER KIDS DOWNED BY METRO, SHARP MVP OF U-18 SERIES
South Australia was brought back down to earth with a thud in their third and final match of the Marsh AFL U-16 National Championships, Victoria Metro inflicting a 57-point hiding at Fankhauser Reserve on Queensland's Gold Coast. Once the Vics got going, it was never going to be much of a contest despite their early inaccuracy on goals. They started with a 3.6 to 2.2 opening term, then it was onwards and upwards. Metro then rammed through six goals to SA's single major in the second term, the deficit out to 40 points by half-time. The Vics served up another five goals when play resumed in the third period, the Croweaters kicking three of their own as the advantage was now up to nine straight kicks at the final change. Game over for SA, the inaccuracy bug keeping them from at least making the final gap somewhat more respectable. They kicked 2.5 while Metro added another 4.3 for an easy triumph. SA would name Hugo Semmler as their MVP of the series. Also, hot on the heels of their championship victory in the U-18 series, there would be eight Croweaters named in the All-Australian team -- Dyson Sharp, Sam Cumming, Aidan Schubert, Mitchell Marsh, Matt LeRay, Harley Baker, Sam Ainsworth and head coach Tony Bamford. Sharp would be named captain of the team, as well as taking out the Larke Medal as tournament MVP.
COUNTRY CROWEATERS STILL TOPS
The South Australian country lads were just too good for the counterparts from Western Australia, emerging victorious at Leederville Oval in Perth this past Saturday after the WAFL contest between Subiaco and South Fremantle. Made up of a great deal of players that took part in the recent SA Country Championships, the Croweaters got off to the perfect start, booting 7.3 to 3.2 in the opening quarter to lead by 25 points at the first change. That gap would extend to 32 points by the long break, SA adding another four goals to three. The goals slowed to a trickle in the second half for the Croweaters as the inaccuracy bug crept into their attack, but the defenders were putting on a clinic. They added 3.3 while the Sandgropers managed just one goal in the third quarter, the deficit now out to 47 points. The Westerners outscored the visitors in the final term, but the damage was already done. They scored 4.3 to SA's 1.5, the final gap reduced to 32 points as the Croweaters extended their win-loss ledger to 9-3. In the best afield department, it was former Panther Ben Heaslip who would lead the side and win the Barry Stringer Medal as SA's standout. Former Port Adelaide player Johann Wagner, now based in the Port Lincoln league, kicked five goals.
SA Country 15.15 (105) def. WA Country 11.7 (73)
Next weekend in Round 16...
Saturday August 2
Norwood vs. Adelaide; Coopers Stadium, Norwood @ 1:10pm
Central District vs. North Adelaide; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 2:10pm
Sturt vs. South Adelaide; Thomas Farms Oval, Unley @ 2:10pm
West Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 2:30pm
Sunday August 3 @ 2:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Glenelg; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
Another of our favourite sons was lost this past fortnight with the passing of North Adelaide premiership player and member of the Legends wing in the AFL Hall of Fame, Barrie Robran. Arriving at Menzies Crescent in the late 1960's from the Iron Triangle city of Whyalla, Robran would be the recipient of three Magarey Medals, seven club best & fairest awards, would pull on the red for South Australia on 17 occasions, as well as deliver two flags in 1971 and 1972. The latter would be followed by a historic one-point victory over Victorian premiers Carlton -- where he famously eluded the grasp of one Alex Jesaulenko -- to win the Championship of Australia at Adelaide Oval, where today you'll find his statue at the southern gates. A knee injury during a state game in 1974 against Victoria would impact his overall ability as a player, but would soldier on to notch up 200 games and finishing his career in 1980. In the ensuing years afterwards, SA footy-heads would often catch him around Prospect Oval, including in recent times as one of the volunteers on match day. This opening paragraph only barely scratches the surface of what Barrie meant to so many, not just for the Roosters and their faithful, but for Australian Football as a whole. If you don't know, there's plenty of footage around on YouTube and written pieces to be found on the web.
May he rest in peace.
Welcome to the Round 14 & 15 Wrap-Up for SANFL 2025.
There would be four games on the Saturday afternoon, the first of which takes us to the east side of town and into the Coopers Stadium in Norwood where the Redlegs faced the Eagles. It was back in Round 2 at Woodville that the Eagles won by six points in front of one of their best turnouts this year. The 'Legs blew a five-kick half-time lead, the Eagles kicking 10 goals to four in the second half for the win. Nowadays things are very different. The Redlegs, despite a loss at the Ponderosa a fortnight ago, look set to capitalise on the Eagles' recent misfortunes. Norwood look like a side on the march, while the Eagles' loss to West along with consecutive three-digit losses are on the slide and today was going to be yet another horrid outing in their mid-season slump. The punishment began in earnest, with the Redlegs ramming through seven goals to the Eagles' single major. It could have been a few goals more if not for a few missed shots, both teams kicking four behinds as well as the 'Legs went into the huddle at quarter-time six goals ahead. Then came the second term where the Eagles never found the big sticks, managing just one behind while Norwood added a further 6.4 to take their lead out to 75 points at the long break. Without the more experienced players, this was just another football reality lesson for what could be considered less than second string outfit. The deficit would reach triple figures only 10 minutes into the third quarter after the home side kicked five goals, only pegged back to under 100 with a late goal to the visitors. At three quarter-time, it was a 98-point lead and the writing was well and truly on the wall. The dreaded three number loss was imminent as the Redlegs finished with another six goals to one, along with some behinds they finished up 131-point winners. Billy Cootee was rampant as Norwood's best afield, with 39 disposals, 12 marks, six clearances and four tackles. The Eagles named Connor Ballenden as their standout with 11 disposals, six marks and all three of the Eagles' goals. Their grip on fifth is far from absolute.
We now cross from the east side to the south side, from Norwood to Unley and into the Thomas Farms Oval where the Double Blues hosted the Bulldogs. Not even an average showing in front of goal could stop the Blues from re-establishing their dominance over the Dogs at Elizabeth, winning by 38 points back in Round 8. Sturt kicked 9.14 that day, but on the other side of the coin it was the start of a horror three weeks for Centrals, who up until then looked a true top-three side. The Blues' history making run seems to have no signs of coming to an end anytime soon, the Magpies their latest victim at Alberton while the Bulldogs emerged victorious against Norwood at home. Though the Dogs would bag the first major in very little time, it was not going to be long before the Blues asserted themselves. By quarter-time the Blues were ahead by 26 points, the board reading 7.4 to 3.2. It was pretty much onward and upward from there for Sturt, though they weren't going to reach the heights of their previous three weeks. The Dogs were putting up more resistance, even if it didn't seem like it on the scoreboard. Their problem was skill errors. The Blues took their lead to 45 points by half-time, adding 4.5 to Centrals' 1.4 in the second term. Inaccuracy from the home side was also stopping yet another massive run-over, but their ability to find free players was keeping the Dogs from mounting any kind of meaningful attack. Sturt added another 2.4 to 2.2 in the third, stretching their lead to 47 points at the final change. The only positive for the visitors was not falling by an even more extravagant margin, in the end it was a 51-point win for the Blues after a 4.1 to 3.3 final term. Amos Doyle was named best for Sturt, with 21 disposals, six clearances and four marks. Kade Dittmar was Centrals' best with 19 disposals, six tackles and five clearances.
The third match for the weekend takes us to the south-western suburbs and into the Stratarama Stadium for the "Clash of the Cats" between the Tigers and the Panthers. Last time they met in Round 8 it wasn't much of a contest once the Tigers got going, running off to a 68-point victory at Noarlunga. They were very efficient with it too, kicking missing just five from 24 scoring shots. Their respective outings in Round 13 would have the Tigers down the Crows on the back of a six goal to three third term to win by 28 points, while the Panthers notched up their third win of the year at Prospect in similar fashion. Not many would have this game, much like one down south, down as much of a contest. Well they were going to be proven wrong, at least initially. The Tigers would have two of the first three goals, holding a 15-point lead prior to time-on. That was reeled back to an eight-point deficit at quarter-time, the scoreboard reading 3.3 to 2.1. The Panthers would then shock the assembled locals in a goals-a-plenty second quarter, kicking the last four majors of the half to take over the lead going into the sheds at the long break. All scores counted it was South with 7.1 to the Bays' four goals, the visitors ahead by 11 points. The Panthers seemed to have the home side's measure when play resumed, even extending their advantage to 16 points by three quarter-time after scoring 4.2 to 3.3 in the third period. But then came a string of controversial umpiring calls that brought all of the Panthers work undone, to which coach Matt Wright will likely be seeking answers during this week. The South faithful could only watch as the Tigers kicked seven goals to two in the final term, the last three during added time breaking their hearts. In the end the premiers would retain control of the Carey-Darley Trophy with a 14-point win. Glenelg would vote in Max Proud as their best afield with 21 disposals, 16 marks and six tackles, while the Panthers had Olivier Northam with 19 disposals, seven clearances and five tackles.
We now head back to the city and cross to the western side for the match between the Bloods and the Crows at the Hisense Stadium in Richmond. The opening round of the season was a brutal way to start the year for the Bloods, with the Crows running roughshod over them to win by 95 points. Westies never found the big sticks until the final quarter, by that time the Crows had 13 on the board. The Bloods finally got win number two in their western derby against the Eagles two weekends ago, while Adelaide were outrun by the reigning premiers at Brighton Road. Westies started off promisingly by running out the opening term to lead by seven points at quarter-time, the scoreboard reading 4.2 to 3.1. But the hope of the Westies' faithful would eventually be dashed. After kicking 3.1 to Adelaide's three behinds, the Bloods were reduced to spectator status, the Crows booting nine unanswered goals and a couple more minor scores to go into the half-time break with a 33-point lead. The Crows ran the Bloods ragged with their ball movement, especially with the handballs of which they had 90 more of by game's end. The ruck belonged to them as well with almost 30 more hitouts. The run of goals would extend to 13 before the Bloods would get one of their own, which was their only major in the third quarter. Adelaide added 5.4 to 1.1, going into the final term with a 10-goal advantage. The one thing the Bloods were able to do is not allow the gap to get any bigger in the finish, they matched the goals tally of four in the final term with only a single behind's difference added to the final tally, Adelaide winning by 61. Brodie Smith was named best for Adelaide with 32 disposals, 11 marks and four tackles, while the Bloods had Isaac Johnson with 28 dipsosals, six each in tackles and marks and kicked three goals.
The last match for Round 14 would take place on the Sunday afternoon at the Prospect Oval where the Roosters took on the Magpies. Their last encounter in Round 7 at Alberton was one that got away from the Roosters. The Magpies led at all changes, but almost blew it as North edged into the lead early in last quarter added time. Port would boot the deciding major, taking a three-point win. Both teams went down in their respective matches of Round 13, the Roosters going down to South in Port Pirie by five goals, while the Magpies were dealt a trademark Sturt hammering at Queen Street. Of course it would be a sombre afternoon at Menzies Crescent with the passing of their long time hero, with more than 2200 turning up to pay their respects to the great Barrie Robran. The first quarter was score-for-score, North missing their final shot of the period to tie things up at the first change with both teams kicking 4.1 each. The Roosters looked to have turned it up a notch in the second, holding the 'Pies to one major while they kicked four of their own. Both teams put a few shots wide as well, the home side going into the changerooms at half-time with a 19-point lead. But after the break, it seemed that the wind was all but taken from North's sails, who would not make too many more meaningful attacks in the second half. The Magpies would take over, kicking six majors before the Roosters kicked their one and only. At three quarter-time, it was the visitors with a 13-point lead. The home side brought them back to within a couple of kicks only seven minutes in, but Port would kick the last four goals of the match. The Magpies would now find themselves within strike of the five, level on points with Norwood with their 32-point win. Jack Watkins was best for Port, with 31 disposals, 10 marks and seven clearances. Angus Schumacher was North's best afield with 32 disposals, nine clearances and four tackles.
We finish this edition of the wrap with the one and only match for Round 15, which was a catch up match for the Crows and the Magpies in their "mini-Showdown" at Adelaide Oval. The Crows were well on song in their last outing back in Round 6 as the away side, winning by 45 points. Adelaide were far tidier in attack, while the 'Pies were here, there and everywhere with a score of 5.13 in the finish. With both teams coming in winners from their respective games the previous week, there was a big expectation of a high quality contest. The weather would play a small part in proceedings, the heavens opening up over the previous 24 hours and dumping plenty of rain over the city and league HQ. The Crows would skew several good chances late in the opening stanza, the Magpies taking a seven-point lead into the quarter-time huddle with the board reading 5.2 to 3.7. The downpour really hit in the second term, but it didn't seem to hinder the Crows as they hit back to overturn the deficit and lead at the long break. They kicked 4.3 to Port's 2.2, Adelaide by a goal at half-time. The weather started making shooting for goal a challenging prospect, a fact that the Crows found out in the third quarter with their tally of 2.9. But they were all over the 'Pies, holding them to just 1.1 as they stretched their lead out to 20 points going into the final change. The Magpies began to reel the Crows back in, bringing the deficit back to nine points just before last quarter added time with their three goals to Adelaide's one. But that was as close as Port would get, two Crows goals early in time-on would put it beyond their reach. A last minute Magpie goal brought it down to 15 points in the end, Adelaide now two games ahead of fourth-placed Centrals while Port would stay in seventh at least for now. Matt Crouch was named Adelaide's best with 36 disposals, five tackles and marks as well as four clearances. Will Lorenz was the Magpies' best on ground, he racked up 35 disposals, nine clearances and seven tackles.
FINAL SCORES -- Round 14
Saturday July 14
Norwood 24.14 (158)
Woodville-West Torrens 3.9 (27)
1,479 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Sturt 17.14 (116)
Central District 9.11 (65)
2,410 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Glenelg 17.7 (109)
South Adelaide 15.5 (95)
2,291 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Adelaide 21.14 (140)
West Adelaide 12.7 (79)
822 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Port Adelaide 15.10 (100)
North Adelaide 10.8 (68)
2,263 @ Prospect Oval
FINAL SCORES -- Round 15
Saturday July 26
Adelaide 12.22 (94)
Port Adelaide 12.7 (79)
Adelaide Oval -- AFL curtain raiser
REPORTS
West -- Johnson (umpire contact)
North -- O'Loughlin (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
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Sturt -- 28pts (14-0-0), 64.3%
Glenelg -- 22pts (11-3-0), 59.7%
Adelaide -- 22pts (11-3-0), 59%
Central -- 18pts (9-4-0), 53.3%
W-WT -- 12pts (6-8-0), 44%
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Norwood -- 10pts (5-9-0), 53.4%
Port -- 10pts (5-9-0), 45.8%
North -- 8pts (4-10-0), 41.6%
South -- 6pts (3-11-0), 42.8%
West -- 4pts (2-12-0) 35.4%
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WOMEN'S GRAND FINAL -- Panthers go back-to-back
South Adelaide are your 2025 SANFL Women's Division premiers, accounting for the Eagles in the Grand Final at Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg this past Sunday afternoon. Not only was it back-to-back flags, but also their fourth title in eight seasons after winning 2018 and 2019. The Eagles were favourites initially, taking out the minor premiership and qualifying for the decider through the 2nd Semi-Final after defeating South in a nail-biter. But the Panthers, after hammering the Blues last week in the Preliminary Final, was the hotter outfit all round this time. They would hold the Eagles goal-less for the entire first half, scoring two goals in the first and second terms to lead by 22 points at half-time. The Eagles finally found the sticks in the second half, but not until late in the third quarter. They could only match the Panthers' score of 1.2 in that period, the earlier deficit going unchanged at three quarter-time. South would continue to keep the Eagles at arm's length, eventually running out 23-point winners after a 1.1 to one goal final term. Panther youngster Emma Charlton was the overall standout, taking out the best afield medal with 26 disposals, 10 clearances, laying seven tackles and winning six free kicks. League B&F runner-up Soriah Moon ruled the ruck with 35 hitouts, Lauren Clifton and Marley Tape had nine marks between them and there were six individual goal-kickers. Lucy Moore was the Eagles' best with 14 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances.
Sunday July 27 @ Stratarama Stadium
SANFL-W GRAND FINAL -- South Adelaide 6.5 (41) def. Woodville-West Torrens 2.6 (18)
VENNING TAKES OUT WOMEN'S B&F
West Adelaide's Zoe Venning was named the SANFL-W's standout player for 2025, winning the best and fairest award at the league's medal count on the Monday last week at Adelaide Oval. She was forced to wait until the final round of voting, behind South Adelaide ruck Soriah Moon by one vote before a readout of two votes going her way saw her win by a single vote. Venning attracted votes from the umpires in 10 games, six of them first preference for a total of 24 overall. She was also named on the wing for the Advertiser's Team of the Year, in a season where her hard running style got her stats like averages of 26.4 disposals, 5.1 clearances, 5.8 tackles and four marks while also having just two matches in which she collected 18 disposals or less. She also got state selection this season in the matches against the Victorian and West Australian sides. In the other awards, the KIA Coaches' Award went to the Eagles' Christina Leuzzi with 74 votes, while Centrals' Katelyn Rosenzweig took out a third consecutive goal-kicker's medal with 27 goals this year. The last individual honour, the SA Power Networks Leadership Award, would go to retiring Tiger Jess Bates.
CROWEATER KIDS DOWNED BY METRO, SHARP MVP OF U-18 SERIES
South Australia was brought back down to earth with a thud in their third and final match of the Marsh AFL U-16 National Championships, Victoria Metro inflicting a 57-point hiding at Fankhauser Reserve on Queensland's Gold Coast. Once the Vics got going, it was never going to be much of a contest despite their early inaccuracy on goals. They started with a 3.6 to 2.2 opening term, then it was onwards and upwards. Metro then rammed through six goals to SA's single major in the second term, the deficit out to 40 points by half-time. The Vics served up another five goals when play resumed in the third period, the Croweaters kicking three of their own as the advantage was now up to nine straight kicks at the final change. Game over for SA, the inaccuracy bug keeping them from at least making the final gap somewhat more respectable. They kicked 2.5 while Metro added another 4.3 for an easy triumph. SA would name Hugo Semmler as their MVP of the series. Also, hot on the heels of their championship victory in the U-18 series, there would be eight Croweaters named in the All-Australian team -- Dyson Sharp, Sam Cumming, Aidan Schubert, Mitchell Marsh, Matt LeRay, Harley Baker, Sam Ainsworth and head coach Tony Bamford. Sharp would be named captain of the team, as well as taking out the Larke Medal as tournament MVP.
COUNTRY CROWEATERS STILL TOPS
The South Australian country lads were just too good for the counterparts from Western Australia, emerging victorious at Leederville Oval in Perth this past Saturday after the WAFL contest between Subiaco and South Fremantle. Made up of a great deal of players that took part in the recent SA Country Championships, the Croweaters got off to the perfect start, booting 7.3 to 3.2 in the opening quarter to lead by 25 points at the first change. That gap would extend to 32 points by the long break, SA adding another four goals to three. The goals slowed to a trickle in the second half for the Croweaters as the inaccuracy bug crept into their attack, but the defenders were putting on a clinic. They added 3.3 while the Sandgropers managed just one goal in the third quarter, the deficit now out to 47 points. The Westerners outscored the visitors in the final term, but the damage was already done. They scored 4.3 to SA's 1.5, the final gap reduced to 32 points as the Croweaters extended their win-loss ledger to 9-3. In the best afield department, it was former Panther Ben Heaslip who would lead the side and win the Barry Stringer Medal as SA's standout. Former Port Adelaide player Johann Wagner, now based in the Port Lincoln league, kicked five goals.
SA Country 15.15 (105) def. WA Country 11.7 (73)
Next weekend in Round 16...
Saturday August 2
Norwood vs. Adelaide; Coopers Stadium, Norwood @ 1:10pm
Central District vs. North Adelaide; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 2:10pm
Sturt vs. South Adelaide; Thomas Farms Oval, Unley @ 2:10pm
West Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 2:30pm
Sunday August 3 @ 2:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Glenelg; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
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