- May 8, 2001
- 5,734
- 967
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
Alrighty then, my fellow SA footy-heads... we are coming into the final stretch for the regular part of the 2025 SANFL Season and it looks as though the Double Blues are all but guaranteed the minor premiership and a pass through to the 2nd Semi-Final. As it stood before this weekend's action, the double chance is currently in the hands of the defending premiers in the Tigers as well as the Crows. The Bulldogs are pretty much guaranteed finals football themselves, though the task of usurping either of the aforementioned teams is an uphill battle and a slip up of either side over the coming few weeks would be needed for them to nick the coveted Qualifying Final spot instead of a cut-throat eliminator. The Eagles have been holding onto fifth rather grimly, with an injury list that has brought their season to the brink of ruin. From the outside looking in, the Redlegs and the Magpies are licking their lips and circling the Oval Avenue nest like vultures, while the Roosters could also take advantage. It's shaping up to be an interesting run to September, most definitely for Centrals who must face both the Bays and the Crows along the way, while up to this point the Blues were still on track to perhaps record a first undefeated season in over a century. Three more rounds, people.
Welcome to the Round 16 Wrap-Up for SANFL 2025.
The opening match for the wrap is the first of four Saturday games, which takes us to the east side of town and into the Coopers Stadium in Norwood where the Redlegs hosted the Crows. A downright rotten run in front of the sticks cost the Redlegs back in Round 5 out at Port Lincoln, not to mention a lowly opening term against a far more efficient Crows outfit. Adelaide won by 21 points, kicking 14 goals from 19 scores while the Redlegs blew 20 of their 28 chances. The 'Legs notched up their fifth win two weeks ago with a 131-point hammering of the Eagles, while Adelaide took two wins over the last couple of weeks against the Bloods and Port. Unfortunately for the Redlegs' faithful, this was to be a near replay of their match out on the west coast, the Crows putting on another goal-kicking clinic in the opening term. They bagged 7.1 to 2.3, a gap of 28 points at the first change. The 'Legs responded somewhat in the second term, their backs working overtime to hold Adelaide to four behinds, but their forwards were not firing. They kicked 1.5, reducing the Crows' lead to 21 points going into the rooms at half-time. Everything else but the attack seemed to be functioning for the home side, they were almost equal in several respects, even winning the clearances. But the middle wasn't going their way, Adelaide winning the bulk of the ruck contests. The visitors found the goals again in the third quarter, but they were having some yips of their own now. Another point was taken off their advantage going into the final change, a 20-point lead to Adelaide at three quarter-time. Norwood kicked the opening two goals of the final term, by the eighth minute it was a seven-point ball game. But the earlier four-kick advantage would be restored eventually, both sides would score 3.2 each as Adelaide emerged victorious by 20 points. Matt Crouch was Adelaide's best with 33 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances. For the 'Legs, it was Billy Cootee with 25 disposals, nine tackles, plus five in the marks and free kicks columns.
The next match takes us to the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth for the Northern Derby between the Bulldogs and the Roosters. The Doggies ran absolutely rampant the last time they met back in Round 3 at Prospect, winning by 76 points. It wasn't until the second half that Centrals really got going, as it was just 20 points difference at half-time. Then a goal-less third term by North allowed the Dogs to boot six unanswered goals, followed by another seven majors to four in the final. Centrals haven't hit the same kinds of heights as of late, they lost to Sturt two weeks ago by 51 points, while the Roosters dropped their concentration against Port in the second half to lose by 32 points. Things weren't going to get any better for the Roosters today, the Dogs would open the afternoon's proceedings with a 5.3 to 1.1 first quarter to go into quarter-time with a 26-point lead. The Roosters managed to cut that down to 15 points just prior to the 15th minute mark of the second term after kicking three of the next four goals, but a run of three Centrals goals during time-on would put the home side back in control and out to a 34-point half-time lead. The writing was pretty much on the wall in the third quarter for the Roosters, blowing a couple of early chances with two minor scores. The Dogs kicked 2.3, taking their advantage out to 47 points come three quarter-time. The Dogs wouldn't be made to rue any missed chances, but their last term wasn't what the faithful wanted as they took their foot off the pedal. The Roosters could have come a lot closer in the end if not for more skewed shots, the home side eventually winning by 45 points after a 2.5 to 2.3 final quarter. Doug Cochrane had a first senior match to remember with four marvellous goals, but best afield honours for the Dogs belonged to Kai Pudney with 29 disposals and 13 marks. For the Roosters it was Angus Schumacher with 28 disposals, six marks and five tackles.
We go from one derby to another as we head out to the southern fringe of the city and into the Thomas Farms Oval in Unley where the Double Blues clashed with the Panthers. It was back in the opening round of the season where these two last met in the Southside Derby, where the Blues began their dominance of the competition thus far. Obviously everyone was shaking off pre-season cobwebs, the Blues made to work for it for three quarters before a five-goal final term allowed them to win by 26 points. Only the Blues came out on top from their game before the R15 bye, winning by 51 points over Centrals, while the Panthers' 14-point loss to the Tigers was marred with a string of controversial umpire calls in the final term. The Blues surely couldn't drop this one, but early on it looked as though they very well could have. They had an average first quarter, kicking 1.4 to South's 2.1 to be down by three points at quarter-time. Shockingly the Panthers would then go on to boot five of the next six goals, putting more than a few murmurs in the Oxford Terrace crowd. Along with some missed chances, the Panthers went into the long break with a 29-point lead. But as expected, the Blues would respond. The first half was probably just the kick in the backside that they needed as they rocketed back into action. Little by little, Sturt reeled South back in and if not for a last second miss would have had more than a one-point final change lead after kicking six goals to one in that third quarter. The Panthers just couldn't recapture that second term magic as the Blues overran them, again putting together a string of goals before the visitors could respond. The home side kicked six goals to three, running out 19-point winners and extending the streak to 15. Tom Lewis enhanced his Morton Medal chances as Sturt's best afield with 26 disposals, 15 tackles and six clearances, while South named Sam Skinner as their best wieht 16 disposals, nine marks and three goals.
Match number four and the last of the Saturday games for the weekend takes us to the west side and into the Hisense Stadium in Richmond where the Bloods met the Magpies. Back in Round 9, the Bloods would keep step with the 'Pies for most of the day over at Alberton, a mere eight-point deficit at three quarter-time. But their fight ground to a halt right there as Port rammed through nine unanswered final term goals, winning by 63 points in a shocking fade-out by the red & blacks. This past fortnight saw the Magpies win against North at Prospect, but would then go down to the Crows in their catch-up fixture last weekend, while the Bloods had some things to think about during their week off after their loss to Adelaide. The first term was an arm-wrestle, the gap never exceeding two kicks at any stage. Port could have gone into the first change with the lead, but a last minute minor score would see them down by as much at quarter-time with the board reading 2.3 to 2.2. It was a bad time to get a case of the inaccuracy bug for the Bloods, who kicked 1.4 in the second term as the Magpies kicked 6.1 to run off to a 26-point lead going into the long break. Inaccuracy would continue to dog Westies in the third quarter, they were all over the visitors but just weren't converting meaningfully. They had a fair amount more in the marks department, but that would seem to point toward indecisiveness in attack going by other stats. Port's lead would extend to 28 points by the three quarter-time siren after they added 4.2 to Westies' 3.6. In the end it was that poor shooting that snuffed the Bloods' chances, despite putting on a brave showing they would eventually go down by four goals after a 3.1 to 2.3 end period. The Magpies would usurp the Eagles' spot on the ladder, though that would depend on the next day's result. The Magpies would name Ewan Mackinlay as their best on ground with 25 disposals, eight marks and four clearances. For the Bloods it was Lachlan Squire with 31 disposals, seven clearances along with six marks and tackles.
The last game for the weekend would take place at the Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Woodville where the Eagles clashed with the Tigers. The Eagles were a far different outfit back in Round 6 at Brighton Road, they took it up to the reigning premiers but went down by a single straight kick. They were down by five kicks at three quarter-time, the Tigers forced to batten down the hatches against the surprise last ditch assault that held them goal-less. Ironically it was the four minor scores that made up their eventual victory, saving some real blushes at Tiger-land. Nowadays, however the Eagles are a shadow of their earlier season selves, copping a third 100+ point beating in four rounds by the Redlegs two weeks ago. As for the Tigers, their 14-point triumph against South at home wasn't without controversy. Well there wasn't going to be any of the same kinds of questions this week. Though the Eagles would trade blows on the board in the opening term, the Tigers would kick five unanswered goals up to the quarter-time siren, taking a 31-point lead into the change with the board reading 7.2 to 2.1. The Tigers slipped up some in the second quarter though, held to just 1.1 while the visitors managed to score 3.1 to reduce the deficit to 19 points come half-time. Despite an improved endeavour, everyone knew how this was going to end, it was just a case of whether or not the Eagles could avoid another three-digit disaster. They would avoid that, but the fifth spot they've been desperately clinging to was no longer theirs as the Tigers resumed play with a 6.6 to 2.1 third quarter to take their lead out to eight goals by the final change. A further five goals to two in the final term would seal that fate for the visitors, the current champs running out 67-point winners. Jarryd Lyons was Glenelg's BOG with 28 disposals, 11 marks and four each in tackles and clearances. For the Eagles it was Kobe Mutch with 29 disposals, nine clearances, seven tackles and six free kicks.
FINAL SCORES -- Round 16
Saturday August 2
Adelaide 12.11 (83)
Norwood 8.15 (63)
1,362 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Central District 13.11 (89)
North Adelaide 6.8 (44)
1,705 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
Sturt 14.10 (94)
South Adelaide 11.9 (75)
2,597 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Port Adelaide 14.8 (92)
West Adelaide 9.14 (68)
879 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Sunday August 3
Glenelg 19.11 (125)
Woodville-West Torrens 9.4 (58)
1,567 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
REPORTS
Central -- Grace, Cochrane, Tomkinson (melee)
North -- Maher, Lawrence, Hilder (melee)
West -- Harding (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
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Sturt -- 30pts (15-0-0), 63.7%
Glenelg -- 24pts (12-3-0), 60.3%
Adelaide -- 24pts (12-3-0), 58.9%
Central -- 20pts (10-4-0), 54.1%
Port -- 12pts (6-9-0), 46.6%
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W-WT -- 12pts (6-9-0), 43%
Norwood -- 10pts (5-10-0), 52.7%
North -- 8pts (4-11-0), 41.1%
South -- 6pts (3-12-0), 42.9%
West -- 4pts (2-13-0) 35.9%
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CROWEATER GIRLS OUTGUNNED BY MAROONS
It was a dramatic finish in the third match of South Australia's AFL-W U-18 Nationals campaign, unfortunately going down to Queensland by just two points at Prospect Oval on Sunday. The Croweaters looked the better outfit after getting out to a 15-point quarter-time lead, but that gap was cut down to a point by the long break after the Maroons kicked the only two goals of the second term. A tense third quarter ensued with SA returning the favour by keeping the visitors scoreless, kicking the only major after being given a 50m penalty to go into the final term with an eight-point lead. That goal would prove to be their last, though SA fought hard to hold on the eventual heartbreak came with little more than four minutes left to play. Queensland's sealing goal their second of the final term as they emerged victorious, the Croweaters now sitting with a 1-2 win/loss record with one game to go in the series, which will be against Victoria Country at Unley this coming Sunday. West Adelaide's Emily Mableson was named best for SA, while Eloise Mackereth and Hope Taylor kicked all four goals.
Queensland 5.4 (34) def. South Australia 4.8 (32)
Next weekend in Round 17...
Saturday August 9 @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Glenelg; Prospect Oval
Norwood vs. West Adelaide; Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Sturt; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
South Adelaide vs. Adelaide; Magain Stadium, Noarlunga
Sunday August 10 @ 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Central District; Alberton Oval
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
Alrighty then, my fellow SA footy-heads... we are coming into the final stretch for the regular part of the 2025 SANFL Season and it looks as though the Double Blues are all but guaranteed the minor premiership and a pass through to the 2nd Semi-Final. As it stood before this weekend's action, the double chance is currently in the hands of the defending premiers in the Tigers as well as the Crows. The Bulldogs are pretty much guaranteed finals football themselves, though the task of usurping either of the aforementioned teams is an uphill battle and a slip up of either side over the coming few weeks would be needed for them to nick the coveted Qualifying Final spot instead of a cut-throat eliminator. The Eagles have been holding onto fifth rather grimly, with an injury list that has brought their season to the brink of ruin. From the outside looking in, the Redlegs and the Magpies are licking their lips and circling the Oval Avenue nest like vultures, while the Roosters could also take advantage. It's shaping up to be an interesting run to September, most definitely for Centrals who must face both the Bays and the Crows along the way, while up to this point the Blues were still on track to perhaps record a first undefeated season in over a century. Three more rounds, people.
Welcome to the Round 16 Wrap-Up for SANFL 2025.
The opening match for the wrap is the first of four Saturday games, which takes us to the east side of town and into the Coopers Stadium in Norwood where the Redlegs hosted the Crows. A downright rotten run in front of the sticks cost the Redlegs back in Round 5 out at Port Lincoln, not to mention a lowly opening term against a far more efficient Crows outfit. Adelaide won by 21 points, kicking 14 goals from 19 scores while the Redlegs blew 20 of their 28 chances. The 'Legs notched up their fifth win two weeks ago with a 131-point hammering of the Eagles, while Adelaide took two wins over the last couple of weeks against the Bloods and Port. Unfortunately for the Redlegs' faithful, this was to be a near replay of their match out on the west coast, the Crows putting on another goal-kicking clinic in the opening term. They bagged 7.1 to 2.3, a gap of 28 points at the first change. The 'Legs responded somewhat in the second term, their backs working overtime to hold Adelaide to four behinds, but their forwards were not firing. They kicked 1.5, reducing the Crows' lead to 21 points going into the rooms at half-time. Everything else but the attack seemed to be functioning for the home side, they were almost equal in several respects, even winning the clearances. But the middle wasn't going their way, Adelaide winning the bulk of the ruck contests. The visitors found the goals again in the third quarter, but they were having some yips of their own now. Another point was taken off their advantage going into the final change, a 20-point lead to Adelaide at three quarter-time. Norwood kicked the opening two goals of the final term, by the eighth minute it was a seven-point ball game. But the earlier four-kick advantage would be restored eventually, both sides would score 3.2 each as Adelaide emerged victorious by 20 points. Matt Crouch was Adelaide's best with 33 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances. For the 'Legs, it was Billy Cootee with 25 disposals, nine tackles, plus five in the marks and free kicks columns.
The next match takes us to the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth for the Northern Derby between the Bulldogs and the Roosters. The Doggies ran absolutely rampant the last time they met back in Round 3 at Prospect, winning by 76 points. It wasn't until the second half that Centrals really got going, as it was just 20 points difference at half-time. Then a goal-less third term by North allowed the Dogs to boot six unanswered goals, followed by another seven majors to four in the final. Centrals haven't hit the same kinds of heights as of late, they lost to Sturt two weeks ago by 51 points, while the Roosters dropped their concentration against Port in the second half to lose by 32 points. Things weren't going to get any better for the Roosters today, the Dogs would open the afternoon's proceedings with a 5.3 to 1.1 first quarter to go into quarter-time with a 26-point lead. The Roosters managed to cut that down to 15 points just prior to the 15th minute mark of the second term after kicking three of the next four goals, but a run of three Centrals goals during time-on would put the home side back in control and out to a 34-point half-time lead. The writing was pretty much on the wall in the third quarter for the Roosters, blowing a couple of early chances with two minor scores. The Dogs kicked 2.3, taking their advantage out to 47 points come three quarter-time. The Dogs wouldn't be made to rue any missed chances, but their last term wasn't what the faithful wanted as they took their foot off the pedal. The Roosters could have come a lot closer in the end if not for more skewed shots, the home side eventually winning by 45 points after a 2.5 to 2.3 final quarter. Doug Cochrane had a first senior match to remember with four marvellous goals, but best afield honours for the Dogs belonged to Kai Pudney with 29 disposals and 13 marks. For the Roosters it was Angus Schumacher with 28 disposals, six marks and five tackles.
We go from one derby to another as we head out to the southern fringe of the city and into the Thomas Farms Oval in Unley where the Double Blues clashed with the Panthers. It was back in the opening round of the season where these two last met in the Southside Derby, where the Blues began their dominance of the competition thus far. Obviously everyone was shaking off pre-season cobwebs, the Blues made to work for it for three quarters before a five-goal final term allowed them to win by 26 points. Only the Blues came out on top from their game before the R15 bye, winning by 51 points over Centrals, while the Panthers' 14-point loss to the Tigers was marred with a string of controversial umpire calls in the final term. The Blues surely couldn't drop this one, but early on it looked as though they very well could have. They had an average first quarter, kicking 1.4 to South's 2.1 to be down by three points at quarter-time. Shockingly the Panthers would then go on to boot five of the next six goals, putting more than a few murmurs in the Oxford Terrace crowd. Along with some missed chances, the Panthers went into the long break with a 29-point lead. But as expected, the Blues would respond. The first half was probably just the kick in the backside that they needed as they rocketed back into action. Little by little, Sturt reeled South back in and if not for a last second miss would have had more than a one-point final change lead after kicking six goals to one in that third quarter. The Panthers just couldn't recapture that second term magic as the Blues overran them, again putting together a string of goals before the visitors could respond. The home side kicked six goals to three, running out 19-point winners and extending the streak to 15. Tom Lewis enhanced his Morton Medal chances as Sturt's best afield with 26 disposals, 15 tackles and six clearances, while South named Sam Skinner as their best wieht 16 disposals, nine marks and three goals.
Match number four and the last of the Saturday games for the weekend takes us to the west side and into the Hisense Stadium in Richmond where the Bloods met the Magpies. Back in Round 9, the Bloods would keep step with the 'Pies for most of the day over at Alberton, a mere eight-point deficit at three quarter-time. But their fight ground to a halt right there as Port rammed through nine unanswered final term goals, winning by 63 points in a shocking fade-out by the red & blacks. This past fortnight saw the Magpies win against North at Prospect, but would then go down to the Crows in their catch-up fixture last weekend, while the Bloods had some things to think about during their week off after their loss to Adelaide. The first term was an arm-wrestle, the gap never exceeding two kicks at any stage. Port could have gone into the first change with the lead, but a last minute minor score would see them down by as much at quarter-time with the board reading 2.3 to 2.2. It was a bad time to get a case of the inaccuracy bug for the Bloods, who kicked 1.4 in the second term as the Magpies kicked 6.1 to run off to a 26-point lead going into the long break. Inaccuracy would continue to dog Westies in the third quarter, they were all over the visitors but just weren't converting meaningfully. They had a fair amount more in the marks department, but that would seem to point toward indecisiveness in attack going by other stats. Port's lead would extend to 28 points by the three quarter-time siren after they added 4.2 to Westies' 3.6. In the end it was that poor shooting that snuffed the Bloods' chances, despite putting on a brave showing they would eventually go down by four goals after a 3.1 to 2.3 end period. The Magpies would usurp the Eagles' spot on the ladder, though that would depend on the next day's result. The Magpies would name Ewan Mackinlay as their best on ground with 25 disposals, eight marks and four clearances. For the Bloods it was Lachlan Squire with 31 disposals, seven clearances along with six marks and tackles.
The last game for the weekend would take place at the Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Woodville where the Eagles clashed with the Tigers. The Eagles were a far different outfit back in Round 6 at Brighton Road, they took it up to the reigning premiers but went down by a single straight kick. They were down by five kicks at three quarter-time, the Tigers forced to batten down the hatches against the surprise last ditch assault that held them goal-less. Ironically it was the four minor scores that made up their eventual victory, saving some real blushes at Tiger-land. Nowadays, however the Eagles are a shadow of their earlier season selves, copping a third 100+ point beating in four rounds by the Redlegs two weeks ago. As for the Tigers, their 14-point triumph against South at home wasn't without controversy. Well there wasn't going to be any of the same kinds of questions this week. Though the Eagles would trade blows on the board in the opening term, the Tigers would kick five unanswered goals up to the quarter-time siren, taking a 31-point lead into the change with the board reading 7.2 to 2.1. The Tigers slipped up some in the second quarter though, held to just 1.1 while the visitors managed to score 3.1 to reduce the deficit to 19 points come half-time. Despite an improved endeavour, everyone knew how this was going to end, it was just a case of whether or not the Eagles could avoid another three-digit disaster. They would avoid that, but the fifth spot they've been desperately clinging to was no longer theirs as the Tigers resumed play with a 6.6 to 2.1 third quarter to take their lead out to eight goals by the final change. A further five goals to two in the final term would seal that fate for the visitors, the current champs running out 67-point winners. Jarryd Lyons was Glenelg's BOG with 28 disposals, 11 marks and four each in tackles and clearances. For the Eagles it was Kobe Mutch with 29 disposals, nine clearances, seven tackles and six free kicks.
FINAL SCORES -- Round 16
Saturday August 2
Adelaide 12.11 (83)
Norwood 8.15 (63)
1,362 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Central District 13.11 (89)
North Adelaide 6.8 (44)
1,705 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
Sturt 14.10 (94)
South Adelaide 11.9 (75)
2,597 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Port Adelaide 14.8 (92)
West Adelaide 9.14 (68)
879 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Sunday August 3
Glenelg 19.11 (125)
Woodville-West Torrens 9.4 (58)
1,567 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
REPORTS
Central -- Grace, Cochrane, Tomkinson (melee)
North -- Maher, Lawrence, Hilder (melee)
West -- Harding (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
-------------------------------------------------------
Sturt -- 30pts (15-0-0), 63.7%
Glenelg -- 24pts (12-3-0), 60.3%
Adelaide -- 24pts (12-3-0), 58.9%
Central -- 20pts (10-4-0), 54.1%
Port -- 12pts (6-9-0), 46.6%
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W-WT -- 12pts (6-9-0), 43%
Norwood -- 10pts (5-10-0), 52.7%
North -- 8pts (4-11-0), 41.1%
South -- 6pts (3-12-0), 42.9%
West -- 4pts (2-13-0) 35.9%
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CROWEATER GIRLS OUTGUNNED BY MAROONS
It was a dramatic finish in the third match of South Australia's AFL-W U-18 Nationals campaign, unfortunately going down to Queensland by just two points at Prospect Oval on Sunday. The Croweaters looked the better outfit after getting out to a 15-point quarter-time lead, but that gap was cut down to a point by the long break after the Maroons kicked the only two goals of the second term. A tense third quarter ensued with SA returning the favour by keeping the visitors scoreless, kicking the only major after being given a 50m penalty to go into the final term with an eight-point lead. That goal would prove to be their last, though SA fought hard to hold on the eventual heartbreak came with little more than four minutes left to play. Queensland's sealing goal their second of the final term as they emerged victorious, the Croweaters now sitting with a 1-2 win/loss record with one game to go in the series, which will be against Victoria Country at Unley this coming Sunday. West Adelaide's Emily Mableson was named best for SA, while Eloise Mackereth and Hope Taylor kicked all four goals.
Queensland 5.4 (34) def. South Australia 4.8 (32)
Next weekend in Round 17...
Saturday August 9 @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Glenelg; Prospect Oval
Norwood vs. West Adelaide; Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Sturt; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
South Adelaide vs. Adelaide; Magain Stadium, Noarlunga
Sunday August 10 @ 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Central District; Alberton Oval
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!