- Joined
- May 8, 2001
- Posts
- 5,747
- Reaction score
- 995
- Location
- X Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
After last week's matches the minor premiership was finally signed, sealed and delivered to the men of Oxford Terrace. Now it's all a question of whether their unbelieveable streak can translate into a 100+ year first and match the feats of the invincibles of the early 20th century. It was 1914, well before Australia was drawn into the conflict of the first World War. Port Adelaide's legacy was only just in its infancy at the time, in that year it was the club's eighth premiership in the 38 years of the SANFL competition. Granted, the seasons of those times were shorter with a 12-game minor round and a three-week finals series. The Magpies went through the season undefeated, culminating in a hammering of the Roosters in the Grand Final and an Australian Championship triumph against the VFL premiers in Carlton. Obviously there's no national title anymore, at least not like there was then. An undefeated season is indeed well within their grasp and there's also their overall minor round streak which overtakes Port's record, which thanks to the shorter season took three years to do. History in the making, to coin a phrase. Did the Blues get that one step closer? Read on, my fellow SA footy-heads.
Welcome to the Round 18 Wrap-Up for SANFL 2025.
All five of this past weekend's games would be staged on the Saturday afternoon, the first takes us to Magain Stadium in Noarlunga where the Panthers took on the Eagles. When you look at the corresponding fixture from Round 7, you can see how different things were at Oval Avenue then. The Eagles emerged 35-point victors at Woodville, though early on the Panthers mounted quite the challenge. They came back from 31 points down to lead by three points at half-time, but the Eagles then kicked seven of the next nine goals for victory. They would hold onto that fifth spot for weeks, but last week's heavy defeat at home to Glenelg saw them drop to sixth. South's season was over some weeks ago and their fight to avoid wooden spoon contention was dealt a blow by Adelaide. But the Panthers would bolt out of the blocks and boot five unanswered goals against the wind to lead by as much at quarter-time and the spoon battle was already over, probably with a collective groan at Richmond. The Eagles must have gone more defensive in the second quarter with the wind now in their faces, keeping the Panthers to just 2.2. The Eagles did have more chances on goal, but after kicking two goals earlier, would manage a string of behinds which would cut South's lead back to 27 points going into the long break. The Eagles' finals chances were well and truly smoked by three quarter-time, when play resumed the Panthers would kick away to a 47-point lead, answering the visitors' only goal with four of their own. A single point would be cut from that advantage by day's end, the home side running out 46-point winners with a 3.3 to 3.4 final term, putting them out of the reach of the wooden spoon and ending the Eagles' fifth spot hopes. In the best afield honours, for South it was Oliver Davis with 29 disposals, seven clearances and six tackles. For the Eagles it was Kobe Mutch with 28 disposals, nine tackles and seven marks.
The second game brings us from the outer south to the inner north, the Roosters and the Redlegs facing off at the Prospect Oval. You have to go all the way back to the season opener to see when these two last clashed, the Roosters winning the neighbours war under the lights of The Parade by 32 points. North's best attribute here was probably their defence, because their attack was a bit all over the place with 19 behinds from 27 scoring shots though you could probably just put it down to early season rust. Fast forward to now and the Roosters have gone through the wringer, their faint finals chances completely extinguished after taking the Tigers to the limit last week but going down by five points. The Redlegs' aspirations for fifth were almost thwarted by the Bloods, but a one-point win kept it within strike. The opening term saw the Roosters get plenty of chances on goal, but would blow several chances to put early pressure on. They kicked 1.5 to 1.1, North by four points at quarter-time. The 'Legs reversed the trend in the second term, overtaking the Roosters within three minutes of the restart to lead by 10 points at the long break having scored 3.3 to 1.1. When play got back underway in the second half, the Roosters would kick back into the lead only nine minutes in, overturning the deficit to lead by two goals come three quarter-time after scoring six goals to two. Unfortunately the Roosters' attack fizzled out in the final term, they didn't see the goals again until the final moments as Norwood's desperation for a fifth spot saw them once more overtake the home side. At 10 minutes the 'Legs drew level, then kicked three of the last four majors to run out 13-point winners, all that was left was to wait on the result out on Brighton Road. Finn Heard was Norwood's best afield with 19 disposals, nine marks and six tackles, while the Roosters named Frank Szekely with 24 disposals, five clearances, four tackles and two goals.
That brings us to the match that would determine whether or not the 'Legs nicked fifth or not, the clash between the Tigers and the Magpies at the Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg. This was another game that had a long wait for a return bout with these teams last meeting in Round 1 under the lights of Alberton Oval. The final result was only reflective of a horrid second half from the Magpies, who were only 10 points down at half-time before being held goal-less in the second half and eventually going down by 64 points after Glenelg kicked nine unanswered goals. The reigning premiers have been somewhat off their normal game since their win against Adelaide a few weeks ago, last week they barely escaped North's clutches in their five-point win. The Magpies jumped into the five with their win against Centrals, but their grip on fifth was tenuous at best. Their opening term in front of goal wasn't the start they wanted, Port's first goal at 10 minutes gave way to a run of minor scores as the Tigers led by 10 points at quarter-time with the board reading 3.3 to 1.5. That deficit would go unchanged going into the half-time break after both teams kicked 3.3 each in the second term. Things went up a notch for both sides in a goals-a-plenty third quarter. It was also minor scores a-plenty for the home side though, butchering a swag of chances to put some distance between them and the visitors. They kicked 5.8 to the Magpies' 6.3, the gap reduced to nine points going into the final stanza. The final term descended into an arm-wrestle, in the end the Tigers just outlasted their old Grand Final nemesis by 10 points after scoring 2.2 to 2.1. With that result, the Redlegs would in fact usurp the Magpies from their fifth spot, setting up a big final round stoush next week where the winner will play finals. Jarryd Lyons was Glenelg's best on ground with 23 disposals, nine tackles and five clearances. The 'Pies named Jack Watkins with 31 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances.
The fourth game for the weekend sends us to the western fringe of town and into the Hisense Stadium in Richmond where the Bloods hosted the Double Blues. The Bloods were on the wrong end of a Blues beating back in Round 4, a 76-point hammering at Oxford Terrace. It was only 20 points at the long break, but then it was trademark Sturt from there, kicking 10 goals to one in the second half. Only a succession of final quarter minor scores stopped it from being more than 90 points. The Bloods chances of avoiding the wooden spoon would be almost totally thwarted after a narrow loss to the Redlegs last week. As for the Blues, the minor premiership was theirs after yet dishing up another spanking out at Woodville. The Bloods' faithful would feel the shadown of the spoon pretty quickly as they were kept goal-less for the entire first half, the Blues opening the match with an eight-goal first quarter to lead by as much at the first change. Come half-time, the Bloods would have just six behinds on the board, the Blues added another 6.1 to their tally as the gap extended to 81 points going into the break. Westies finally managed to put one on the goals column mid-way through the third quarter, but would still find themselves down by 18 straight kicks by the final change. A quartet of minor scores by the Blues during added time stopped it being more than 20, they scored 5.5 to make it a 110-point lead at three quarter-time. The visitors took their foot off the pedal in the final quarter, with such a huge margin already there was no point in exerting themselves. The Bloods would proceed to kick 7.2 to 3.1, bringing the final deficit back to 85 points. Soon enough, news of South's win at Noarlunga reached Richmond, a sixth spoon in seven years now confirmed. Zac Becker was Sturt's best afield with 25 disposals and 14 marks, while the Bloods named Lachlan Squire with 21 disposals and eight tackles.
The final match for the weekend takes us up to the northern suburbs and to the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth where the Bulldogs clashed with the Crows. Back in Round 10, the Crows were only troubled up to half-time before a six-goal third quarter put down the Bulldog challenge and would eventually run out 45-point winners. Centrals didn't score at all in that quarter, coupled with a horrid second term streak of minor scores was what led to their downfall. The Dogs were unable to keep up with the Magpies last week, going down by 14 points but not for lack of trying. With that loss and the Crows win against the Panthers at Noarlunga, the Qualifying Final was now out of Centrals' reach. Going into this match, the Bulldogs entire leadership group was sidelined with injury. However, the youthful inclusions would respond along with the established names as they answered Adelaide's early goal with 3.2 of their own to start the match. A late Crows goal saw the Dogs lead by eight points at the first change. The Crows hit back in the second, though it was fortunate for the Dogs they weren't hitting the mark more. They scored 4.3 to 2.2, going into the break with a five-point lead. It would proceed to be an all-out struggle from here, the deficit never any more than two straight kicks at any given time in the second half. Centrals took back the lead half-way through the third quarter but then lost it again during third quarter added-time, the Crows' now a single goal ahead at three quarter-time after kicking 2.2 to 2.1. The final stanza was the true acid test for the under-manned Bulldogs, once more an exchange of advantage occurred with the home side ahead again at six minutes, then Adelaide at eight. Centrals' second goal at 12 minutes put them up again and for the next 16 minutes you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. A mark and shot at goal for Adelaide at the 26th put everyone on edge, but the subsequent shot didn't find the big sticks and that was it, the Dogs won by the narrowest of margins, one point. Young gun Dyson Sharp was real handy as best on ground for Centrals, with 20 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances. Billy Dowling was the standout for the Crows, with 34 disposals, eight clearances as well as seven marks and tackles.
FINAL SCORES -- Round 18
Saturday August 16
South Adelaide 14.10 (94)
Woodville-West Torrens 6.12 (48)
757 @ Magain Stadium, Noarlunga
Norwood 11.10 (76)
North Adelaide 9.9 (63)
2,105 @ Prospect Oval
Glenelg 13.16 (94)
Port Adelaide 12.12 (84)
2,685 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Sturt 22.9 (141)
West Adelaide 8.8 (56)
1,393 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Central District 9.7 (61)
Adelaide 9.6 (60)
982 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
LEAGUE LADDER
-----------------------------------------------------
Sturt -- 34pts (17-0-0), 64.8%
Glenelg -- 28pts (14-3-0), 59.4%
Adelaide -- 26pts (13-4-0), 58.5%
Central -- 22pts (11-6-0), 53.3%
Norwood -- 14pts (7-10-0), 52.6%
-----------------------------------------------------
Port -- 14pts (7-10-0), 47.1%
W-WT -- 12pts (6-11-0), 41.5%
South -- 8pts (4-13-0), 44.1%
North -- 8pts (4-13-0), 41.7%
West -- 4pts (2-15-0) 36.2%
-----------------------------------------------------
REPORTS
South -- Shillabeer, Davis (striking), Gander (rough conduct)
W-WT -- Hayes (rough conduct)
Sturt -- Illman (rough conduct), Becker, Conforti (melee)
West -- Squire, Sinderberry, McCormick, Johnson (melee)
Adelaide -- Madgen (striking)
Next weekend in Round 19...
Saturday August 23
Central District vs. Glenelg; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 2:10pm
Sturt vs. Adelaide; Thomas Farms Oval, Unley @ 2:10pm
West Adelaide vs. South Adelaide; Hisense Stadium, Noarlunga @ 2:10pm
Norwood vs. Port Adelaide; Coopers Stadium, Norwood @ 3:40pm
Sunday August 24 @ 2:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. North Adelaide; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
After last week's matches the minor premiership was finally signed, sealed and delivered to the men of Oxford Terrace. Now it's all a question of whether their unbelieveable streak can translate into a 100+ year first and match the feats of the invincibles of the early 20th century. It was 1914, well before Australia was drawn into the conflict of the first World War. Port Adelaide's legacy was only just in its infancy at the time, in that year it was the club's eighth premiership in the 38 years of the SANFL competition. Granted, the seasons of those times were shorter with a 12-game minor round and a three-week finals series. The Magpies went through the season undefeated, culminating in a hammering of the Roosters in the Grand Final and an Australian Championship triumph against the VFL premiers in Carlton. Obviously there's no national title anymore, at least not like there was then. An undefeated season is indeed well within their grasp and there's also their overall minor round streak which overtakes Port's record, which thanks to the shorter season took three years to do. History in the making, to coin a phrase. Did the Blues get that one step closer? Read on, my fellow SA footy-heads.
Welcome to the Round 18 Wrap-Up for SANFL 2025.
All five of this past weekend's games would be staged on the Saturday afternoon, the first takes us to Magain Stadium in Noarlunga where the Panthers took on the Eagles. When you look at the corresponding fixture from Round 7, you can see how different things were at Oval Avenue then. The Eagles emerged 35-point victors at Woodville, though early on the Panthers mounted quite the challenge. They came back from 31 points down to lead by three points at half-time, but the Eagles then kicked seven of the next nine goals for victory. They would hold onto that fifth spot for weeks, but last week's heavy defeat at home to Glenelg saw them drop to sixth. South's season was over some weeks ago and their fight to avoid wooden spoon contention was dealt a blow by Adelaide. But the Panthers would bolt out of the blocks and boot five unanswered goals against the wind to lead by as much at quarter-time and the spoon battle was already over, probably with a collective groan at Richmond. The Eagles must have gone more defensive in the second quarter with the wind now in their faces, keeping the Panthers to just 2.2. The Eagles did have more chances on goal, but after kicking two goals earlier, would manage a string of behinds which would cut South's lead back to 27 points going into the long break. The Eagles' finals chances were well and truly smoked by three quarter-time, when play resumed the Panthers would kick away to a 47-point lead, answering the visitors' only goal with four of their own. A single point would be cut from that advantage by day's end, the home side running out 46-point winners with a 3.3 to 3.4 final term, putting them out of the reach of the wooden spoon and ending the Eagles' fifth spot hopes. In the best afield honours, for South it was Oliver Davis with 29 disposals, seven clearances and six tackles. For the Eagles it was Kobe Mutch with 28 disposals, nine tackles and seven marks.
The second game brings us from the outer south to the inner north, the Roosters and the Redlegs facing off at the Prospect Oval. You have to go all the way back to the season opener to see when these two last clashed, the Roosters winning the neighbours war under the lights of The Parade by 32 points. North's best attribute here was probably their defence, because their attack was a bit all over the place with 19 behinds from 27 scoring shots though you could probably just put it down to early season rust. Fast forward to now and the Roosters have gone through the wringer, their faint finals chances completely extinguished after taking the Tigers to the limit last week but going down by five points. The Redlegs' aspirations for fifth were almost thwarted by the Bloods, but a one-point win kept it within strike. The opening term saw the Roosters get plenty of chances on goal, but would blow several chances to put early pressure on. They kicked 1.5 to 1.1, North by four points at quarter-time. The 'Legs reversed the trend in the second term, overtaking the Roosters within three minutes of the restart to lead by 10 points at the long break having scored 3.3 to 1.1. When play got back underway in the second half, the Roosters would kick back into the lead only nine minutes in, overturning the deficit to lead by two goals come three quarter-time after scoring six goals to two. Unfortunately the Roosters' attack fizzled out in the final term, they didn't see the goals again until the final moments as Norwood's desperation for a fifth spot saw them once more overtake the home side. At 10 minutes the 'Legs drew level, then kicked three of the last four majors to run out 13-point winners, all that was left was to wait on the result out on Brighton Road. Finn Heard was Norwood's best afield with 19 disposals, nine marks and six tackles, while the Roosters named Frank Szekely with 24 disposals, five clearances, four tackles and two goals.
That brings us to the match that would determine whether or not the 'Legs nicked fifth or not, the clash between the Tigers and the Magpies at the Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg. This was another game that had a long wait for a return bout with these teams last meeting in Round 1 under the lights of Alberton Oval. The final result was only reflective of a horrid second half from the Magpies, who were only 10 points down at half-time before being held goal-less in the second half and eventually going down by 64 points after Glenelg kicked nine unanswered goals. The reigning premiers have been somewhat off their normal game since their win against Adelaide a few weeks ago, last week they barely escaped North's clutches in their five-point win. The Magpies jumped into the five with their win against Centrals, but their grip on fifth was tenuous at best. Their opening term in front of goal wasn't the start they wanted, Port's first goal at 10 minutes gave way to a run of minor scores as the Tigers led by 10 points at quarter-time with the board reading 3.3 to 1.5. That deficit would go unchanged going into the half-time break after both teams kicked 3.3 each in the second term. Things went up a notch for both sides in a goals-a-plenty third quarter. It was also minor scores a-plenty for the home side though, butchering a swag of chances to put some distance between them and the visitors. They kicked 5.8 to the Magpies' 6.3, the gap reduced to nine points going into the final stanza. The final term descended into an arm-wrestle, in the end the Tigers just outlasted their old Grand Final nemesis by 10 points after scoring 2.2 to 2.1. With that result, the Redlegs would in fact usurp the Magpies from their fifth spot, setting up a big final round stoush next week where the winner will play finals. Jarryd Lyons was Glenelg's best on ground with 23 disposals, nine tackles and five clearances. The 'Pies named Jack Watkins with 31 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances.
The fourth game for the weekend sends us to the western fringe of town and into the Hisense Stadium in Richmond where the Bloods hosted the Double Blues. The Bloods were on the wrong end of a Blues beating back in Round 4, a 76-point hammering at Oxford Terrace. It was only 20 points at the long break, but then it was trademark Sturt from there, kicking 10 goals to one in the second half. Only a succession of final quarter minor scores stopped it from being more than 90 points. The Bloods chances of avoiding the wooden spoon would be almost totally thwarted after a narrow loss to the Redlegs last week. As for the Blues, the minor premiership was theirs after yet dishing up another spanking out at Woodville. The Bloods' faithful would feel the shadown of the spoon pretty quickly as they were kept goal-less for the entire first half, the Blues opening the match with an eight-goal first quarter to lead by as much at the first change. Come half-time, the Bloods would have just six behinds on the board, the Blues added another 6.1 to their tally as the gap extended to 81 points going into the break. Westies finally managed to put one on the goals column mid-way through the third quarter, but would still find themselves down by 18 straight kicks by the final change. A quartet of minor scores by the Blues during added time stopped it being more than 20, they scored 5.5 to make it a 110-point lead at three quarter-time. The visitors took their foot off the pedal in the final quarter, with such a huge margin already there was no point in exerting themselves. The Bloods would proceed to kick 7.2 to 3.1, bringing the final deficit back to 85 points. Soon enough, news of South's win at Noarlunga reached Richmond, a sixth spoon in seven years now confirmed. Zac Becker was Sturt's best afield with 25 disposals and 14 marks, while the Bloods named Lachlan Squire with 21 disposals and eight tackles.
The final match for the weekend takes us up to the northern suburbs and to the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth where the Bulldogs clashed with the Crows. Back in Round 10, the Crows were only troubled up to half-time before a six-goal third quarter put down the Bulldog challenge and would eventually run out 45-point winners. Centrals didn't score at all in that quarter, coupled with a horrid second term streak of minor scores was what led to their downfall. The Dogs were unable to keep up with the Magpies last week, going down by 14 points but not for lack of trying. With that loss and the Crows win against the Panthers at Noarlunga, the Qualifying Final was now out of Centrals' reach. Going into this match, the Bulldogs entire leadership group was sidelined with injury. However, the youthful inclusions would respond along with the established names as they answered Adelaide's early goal with 3.2 of their own to start the match. A late Crows goal saw the Dogs lead by eight points at the first change. The Crows hit back in the second, though it was fortunate for the Dogs they weren't hitting the mark more. They scored 4.3 to 2.2, going into the break with a five-point lead. It would proceed to be an all-out struggle from here, the deficit never any more than two straight kicks at any given time in the second half. Centrals took back the lead half-way through the third quarter but then lost it again during third quarter added-time, the Crows' now a single goal ahead at three quarter-time after kicking 2.2 to 2.1. The final stanza was the true acid test for the under-manned Bulldogs, once more an exchange of advantage occurred with the home side ahead again at six minutes, then Adelaide at eight. Centrals' second goal at 12 minutes put them up again and for the next 16 minutes you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. A mark and shot at goal for Adelaide at the 26th put everyone on edge, but the subsequent shot didn't find the big sticks and that was it, the Dogs won by the narrowest of margins, one point. Young gun Dyson Sharp was real handy as best on ground for Centrals, with 20 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances. Billy Dowling was the standout for the Crows, with 34 disposals, eight clearances as well as seven marks and tackles.
FINAL SCORES -- Round 18
Saturday August 16
South Adelaide 14.10 (94)
Woodville-West Torrens 6.12 (48)
757 @ Magain Stadium, Noarlunga
Norwood 11.10 (76)
North Adelaide 9.9 (63)
2,105 @ Prospect Oval
Glenelg 13.16 (94)
Port Adelaide 12.12 (84)
2,685 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Sturt 22.9 (141)
West Adelaide 8.8 (56)
1,393 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Central District 9.7 (61)
Adelaide 9.6 (60)
982 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
LEAGUE LADDER
-----------------------------------------------------
Sturt -- 34pts (17-0-0), 64.8%
Glenelg -- 28pts (14-3-0), 59.4%
Adelaide -- 26pts (13-4-0), 58.5%
Central -- 22pts (11-6-0), 53.3%
Norwood -- 14pts (7-10-0), 52.6%
-----------------------------------------------------
Port -- 14pts (7-10-0), 47.1%
W-WT -- 12pts (6-11-0), 41.5%
South -- 8pts (4-13-0), 44.1%
North -- 8pts (4-13-0), 41.7%
West -- 4pts (2-15-0) 36.2%
-----------------------------------------------------
REPORTS
South -- Shillabeer, Davis (striking), Gander (rough conduct)
W-WT -- Hayes (rough conduct)
Sturt -- Illman (rough conduct), Becker, Conforti (melee)
West -- Squire, Sinderberry, McCormick, Johnson (melee)
Adelaide -- Madgen (striking)
Next weekend in Round 19...
Saturday August 23
Central District vs. Glenelg; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 2:10pm
Sturt vs. Adelaide; Thomas Farms Oval, Unley @ 2:10pm
West Adelaide vs. South Adelaide; Hisense Stadium, Noarlunga @ 2:10pm
Norwood vs. Port Adelaide; Coopers Stadium, Norwood @ 3:40pm
Sunday August 24 @ 2:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. North Adelaide; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
