- May 8, 2001
- 5,734
- 967
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
Last weekend's state match defeat to the Western Australians has dealt the SANFL a bit of a blow, but not just on the scoreboard. Staunch league fans and some in the media gave the league administration a bit of a whack in the papers and in on-line forums, criticising the pre-midday start, the shortened quarters to accomodate the actual curtain raiser that followed and of course the continued want by the league for playing games prior to AFL games. With tickets to enter Adelaide Oval priced at a bare minimum of $50, only the most devoted SA footy-heads turned out and there weren't many of them as a result. Then there was the SANFL Now streaming platform that suffered from continued malfunctions and no coverage from league broadcaster Channel Seven. The fans were quite vocal on the league's Facebook page, with one quote saying it all -- "When you close the door to SANFL fans, you deserve a bigger hiding." Oof. That one quote should make the league and the players, who by all accounts want to play on the famous oval as part of the deal for playing in the red jumper, very concerned. If they can't play in front of their died-in-the-wool supporter base on a traditional league ground, then maybe they shouldn't play. Similar sentiments emanate from those in the west as well, where games have been played at the cavernous Optus Stadium.
The message is clear... bring the state guernsey back to its people, or risk losing support for it altogether.
Welcome to the Round 7 edition of the Wrap-Up for SANFL 2025.
We begin the First Nations Round action with some Friday Night Mayhem at The Parade, the lights of Coopers Stadium shining brightly as the Redlegs took on the Bulldogs. There were three games last season with the Redlegs coming out on top in all three. While the last match at Norwood in Round 15 was pretty much decided before half-time in a seven-goal win, their earlier win at the Ponderosa was decided in one term with an 11-goal third quarter to win by 50 points. They would then meet in the 2nd Semi-Final, dealing out yet another hiding by 59 points. Both teams won their respective games before the state match bye, but for the Redlegs it was their first points for the season at the expense of South while the Dogs kept up their winning ways at Richmond. The chilly conditions didn't lend themselves to either side, though the 'Legs charged their way to goals only to blow a swag of chances. The Dogs didn't find the sticks at all, but were behind by just two goals after Norwood kicked 1.6. They continued to waste opportunities in the second term as the Dogs clicked into gear, bringing the gap back to a point going into the half-time break after kicking 4.4 to 2.5. The chills were shaken off in the second half as the goals came much easier, though the home side kicked four of the first five, the Dogs then scored the last four, including that which put them in the lead by three quarter-time by six points. The Redlegs didn't go away and continued to push right up to the end. Deep into time-on, they got back to within five points after scoring 3.2 to 3.1 but with mere seconds on the clock, the visitors landed the killer blow to end a five-game losing streak at Norwood with an 11-point win. Harry Grant was best afield for the Dogs with 24 disposals, seven clearances and six tackles, while Finn Heard was Norwood's best with 19 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances.
The rest of the games would take place on the Saturday afternoon and its off towards the port and into Alberton Oval where the Magpies faced the Roosters. The points were shared from last year's pair of games, with the away side coming out the victors. The Roosters left the 'Pies in the dust after quarter-time in Round 6 at Queen Street, running away to a 14-goal triumph. But then in Round 13 at Prospect, the Magpies' seven-goal third term against North's 3.7 for the entire second half saw the black & white away to a 29-point win. Port still hadn't tasted victory since Round 3, two weeks ago it a 45-point dousing at the hands of Adelaide, while the Roosters axed their senior coach after defeat against the Blues at Menzies Crescent. It took almost 10 minutes for a goal to be notched up, North striking the first blow but the Pies then kicked the next five, the board at quarter-time reading 5.2 to 1.1. By the half-time siren though, that gap was cut in half. If not for one last chance falling short, the deficit could have been within a couple of kicks, but the Roosters' 3.3 to 1.2 brought it back to two goals going into the rooms at the long break. The Magpies should have been doing a lot more damage going by the inside-50 numbers, they had 24 more chances on goal. They got back on the horse in the third term, re-establishing their earlier four-kick margin going into the final change after kicking 3.2 to 1.3, a 23-point lead at three quarter-time. The visitors would have the wind in the final term and they would indeed snatch the lead early into time-on, kicking 5.3 to one goal. But a fairytale start for caretaker coach Sam Mayes would be denied as Port nailed one last major score to steal the victory, winning by three points. Jack Watkins was named the Magpies' best on ground, with 32 disposals and six tackles, while the Roosters named Angus Schumacher as their best with 24 disposals, nine tackles as well as seven each in the marks and clearances.
Next up we're taking the scenic route from the docks to the iconic seaside of Glenelg for the "Battle of the Sashes" at Stratarama Stadium between the Tigers and the Bloods. Its been a hot minute since the last time the Bloods have tasted victory against the Bays, the losses in Rounds 6 and 11 last season stretching the streak of defeats to nine. It was during the forever infamous 2020 season that they last won, where only 900 were able to watch at Richmond in Round 4 as Westies triumphed by 16 points. In fact, in the last 20 games the Bloods have won five. The Tigers were challenged hard by the Eagles before the league bye but came away with a four-point win at Brighton Road, while the Bloods had some moments but the Dogs allowed few to count in a 56-point loss. Well... I think you already know how this one was going to end. It didn't start out too horribly by most folks standards, but it was a gradual decline. West had as many chances as the reigning champs in the opening term, but fluffed many of them. Glenelg would lead by 15 points at quarter-time with the board reading 5.3 to 2.6, a gap almost doubled going into the sheds at the long break. The Tigers repeated their first quarter tally, the Bloods accuracy improving a little to score 3.2. At half-time, it was just 28 points the difference. After the break, it was the Tigers show. Though the inaccuracy bug jumped camps, they still kicked 4.5 to 1.2 as the home side leaped to a 49-point advantage come three quarter-time. It was a case of the "Perfect 10" for the premiers as they rammed through a further seven majors to the Bloods' one, along with some minor scores the Bays romped away to an 87-point win. Jarryd Lyons was supreme for the Tigers, taking best afield honours with his 30 disposals, eight marks, six clearances and three goals. Kobe Ryan was the Bloods' standout with 26 disposals, 11 clearances and five tackles.
Game number four brings us to the southern fringe of the city, where the Double Blues faced the Crows at Thomas Farms Oval in Unley. The Blues won both games in 2024 at Oxford Terrace, beginning with a crushing 61-point win in Round 7, followed by a 14-point win in Round 19. The latter game was not a lesson in goal-kicking, that's for certain. Both sides had a pretty hard time finding the big sticks, with a total of 46 scoring shots for a return of 12 goals overall. The Blues were challenged by the luckless Roosters a fortnight ago but were able to hold off a last term assault to win by 23 points at Prospect, while the Crows dominated an inaccurate Magpies at Adelaide Oval in their 45-point win. This was a top-three game -- first vs third -- and the opening term somewhat reflected that with an equal exchange of goals in the first 15 minutes. The Blues then managed to put a couple extra through without reply to go into the first change with a 13-point lead, the board reading 4.1 to 2.0. Adelaide kicked the first goal of the second term, but then the Blues went on a scoring spree that saw them get as far up as 39 points. The Crows kicked the last couple of goals to bring it back to 27 by the long break. The visitors' third term would give the locals a bit of a fright, the Blues advantage whittled back to something more manageable by three quarter-time. Adelaide kicked 6.2 to Sturt's 3.1, the deficit back to just eight points. But the fightback was short-lived, the Blues clamping down on the Crows' attack to keep them to just one goal at the 14th minute. By that time the home side had 2.3 on the board, though the ensuing 12 minutes between Sturt's goals that bracketed Adelaide's single major must have seemed long. That third and final goal for the game saw the Blues home by 23 points. Will Snelling is no doubt an early favourite for the Magarey Medal, taking out best afield honours for Sturt with 31 disposals, 14 tackles, nine clearances and six marks. Adelaide's standout was Lachlan Murphy with 26 disposals, six clearances and five tackles.
The final game for the round takes us to the mid-north west of town and into the Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Woodville where the Eagles met the Panthers. The Eagles took out all the points on offer last season, with victories in Rounds 6 and 18. While the latter game at Noarlunga was decided with a massive second half, the earlier game at Oval Avenue was much less clear-cut. The Eagles' third term inaccuracy let South sniff a chance, but the defenders stepped up in the finish as they escaped with a five-point win. These two sides lost their respective games two weeks ago, the Eagles in a heartbreaker at Tiger-land and the Panthers by five goals to Norwood at home. The Eagles began very much the better looking outfit, slamming on six goals before the Panthers could get one of their own. At quarter-time, the board read 6.1 to one goal the Eagles' way. To the shock of the local faithful though, the Panthers pulled the reverse card in the second quarter, ramming through six of their own while the Eagles kicked just one. An additional three minor scores to South was the difference at the half-time break. A great deal of the fuel in the Panthers' tank must have been used up in that time, when play resumed the Eagles held them to nothing for the entire third term. Accuracy was the only thing keeping the visitors in the game, the Eagles kicking 3.7 to lead by 22 points at three quarter-time. Unfortunately, what South had left in the final term wasn't going to be enough, though they kicked the first goal they were soon overwhelmed as the Eagles kicked four of the last five goals as the home side finished up 35-point winners. Kobe Mutch was voted best for the Eagles, with 26 disposals, seven tackles along with five clearances and marks. For the Panthers, it was Callum McCarty with 20 disposals, eight clearances, six tackles and marks, plus winning four free kicks.
FINAL SCORES -- Round 7
Friday May 23
Central District 13.6 (84)
Norwood 10.13 (73)
2,209 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Saturday May 24
Port Adelaide 11.6 (72)
North Adelaide 10.10 (70)
1,227 @ Alberton Oval
Glenelg 21.16 (142)
West Adelaide 7.13 (55)
2,331 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Sturt 15.8 (98)
Adelaide 12.3 (75)
2,984 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Woodville-West Torrens 14.10 (94)
South Adelaide 9.5 (59)
1,421 @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
REPORTS
Central -- Thomas (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
--------------------------------------------------
Sturt -- 14pts (7-0-0), 60.4%
Central -- 12pts (6-1-0), 59.7%
Glenelg -- 10pts (5-2-0), 59.8%
Adelaide -- 10pts (5-2-0), 56.4%
W-WT -- 10pts (5-2-0), 55.8%
--------------------------------------------------
North -- 4pts (2-5-0), 45.3%
Port -- 4pts (2-5-0), 41.4%
Norwood -- 2pts (1-6-0), 44%
South -- 2pts (1-6-0), 41.5%
West -- 2pts (1-6-0) 34.6%
---------------------------------------------------
Next weekend in Round 8...
Saturday May 31
West Adelaide vs. Norwood; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 1:10pm
Central District vs. Sturt; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Prospect Oval @ 2:30pm
South Adelaide vs. Glenelg; Magain Stadium, Noarlunga @ 2:30pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
Last weekend's state match defeat to the Western Australians has dealt the SANFL a bit of a blow, but not just on the scoreboard. Staunch league fans and some in the media gave the league administration a bit of a whack in the papers and in on-line forums, criticising the pre-midday start, the shortened quarters to accomodate the actual curtain raiser that followed and of course the continued want by the league for playing games prior to AFL games. With tickets to enter Adelaide Oval priced at a bare minimum of $50, only the most devoted SA footy-heads turned out and there weren't many of them as a result. Then there was the SANFL Now streaming platform that suffered from continued malfunctions and no coverage from league broadcaster Channel Seven. The fans were quite vocal on the league's Facebook page, with one quote saying it all -- "When you close the door to SANFL fans, you deserve a bigger hiding." Oof. That one quote should make the league and the players, who by all accounts want to play on the famous oval as part of the deal for playing in the red jumper, very concerned. If they can't play in front of their died-in-the-wool supporter base on a traditional league ground, then maybe they shouldn't play. Similar sentiments emanate from those in the west as well, where games have been played at the cavernous Optus Stadium.
The message is clear... bring the state guernsey back to its people, or risk losing support for it altogether.
Welcome to the Round 7 edition of the Wrap-Up for SANFL 2025.
We begin the First Nations Round action with some Friday Night Mayhem at The Parade, the lights of Coopers Stadium shining brightly as the Redlegs took on the Bulldogs. There were three games last season with the Redlegs coming out on top in all three. While the last match at Norwood in Round 15 was pretty much decided before half-time in a seven-goal win, their earlier win at the Ponderosa was decided in one term with an 11-goal third quarter to win by 50 points. They would then meet in the 2nd Semi-Final, dealing out yet another hiding by 59 points. Both teams won their respective games before the state match bye, but for the Redlegs it was their first points for the season at the expense of South while the Dogs kept up their winning ways at Richmond. The chilly conditions didn't lend themselves to either side, though the 'Legs charged their way to goals only to blow a swag of chances. The Dogs didn't find the sticks at all, but were behind by just two goals after Norwood kicked 1.6. They continued to waste opportunities in the second term as the Dogs clicked into gear, bringing the gap back to a point going into the half-time break after kicking 4.4 to 2.5. The chills were shaken off in the second half as the goals came much easier, though the home side kicked four of the first five, the Dogs then scored the last four, including that which put them in the lead by three quarter-time by six points. The Redlegs didn't go away and continued to push right up to the end. Deep into time-on, they got back to within five points after scoring 3.2 to 3.1 but with mere seconds on the clock, the visitors landed the killer blow to end a five-game losing streak at Norwood with an 11-point win. Harry Grant was best afield for the Dogs with 24 disposals, seven clearances and six tackles, while Finn Heard was Norwood's best with 19 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances.
The rest of the games would take place on the Saturday afternoon and its off towards the port and into Alberton Oval where the Magpies faced the Roosters. The points were shared from last year's pair of games, with the away side coming out the victors. The Roosters left the 'Pies in the dust after quarter-time in Round 6 at Queen Street, running away to a 14-goal triumph. But then in Round 13 at Prospect, the Magpies' seven-goal third term against North's 3.7 for the entire second half saw the black & white away to a 29-point win. Port still hadn't tasted victory since Round 3, two weeks ago it a 45-point dousing at the hands of Adelaide, while the Roosters axed their senior coach after defeat against the Blues at Menzies Crescent. It took almost 10 minutes for a goal to be notched up, North striking the first blow but the Pies then kicked the next five, the board at quarter-time reading 5.2 to 1.1. By the half-time siren though, that gap was cut in half. If not for one last chance falling short, the deficit could have been within a couple of kicks, but the Roosters' 3.3 to 1.2 brought it back to two goals going into the rooms at the long break. The Magpies should have been doing a lot more damage going by the inside-50 numbers, they had 24 more chances on goal. They got back on the horse in the third term, re-establishing their earlier four-kick margin going into the final change after kicking 3.2 to 1.3, a 23-point lead at three quarter-time. The visitors would have the wind in the final term and they would indeed snatch the lead early into time-on, kicking 5.3 to one goal. But a fairytale start for caretaker coach Sam Mayes would be denied as Port nailed one last major score to steal the victory, winning by three points. Jack Watkins was named the Magpies' best on ground, with 32 disposals and six tackles, while the Roosters named Angus Schumacher as their best with 24 disposals, nine tackles as well as seven each in the marks and clearances.
Next up we're taking the scenic route from the docks to the iconic seaside of Glenelg for the "Battle of the Sashes" at Stratarama Stadium between the Tigers and the Bloods. Its been a hot minute since the last time the Bloods have tasted victory against the Bays, the losses in Rounds 6 and 11 last season stretching the streak of defeats to nine. It was during the forever infamous 2020 season that they last won, where only 900 were able to watch at Richmond in Round 4 as Westies triumphed by 16 points. In fact, in the last 20 games the Bloods have won five. The Tigers were challenged hard by the Eagles before the league bye but came away with a four-point win at Brighton Road, while the Bloods had some moments but the Dogs allowed few to count in a 56-point loss. Well... I think you already know how this one was going to end. It didn't start out too horribly by most folks standards, but it was a gradual decline. West had as many chances as the reigning champs in the opening term, but fluffed many of them. Glenelg would lead by 15 points at quarter-time with the board reading 5.3 to 2.6, a gap almost doubled going into the sheds at the long break. The Tigers repeated their first quarter tally, the Bloods accuracy improving a little to score 3.2. At half-time, it was just 28 points the difference. After the break, it was the Tigers show. Though the inaccuracy bug jumped camps, they still kicked 4.5 to 1.2 as the home side leaped to a 49-point advantage come three quarter-time. It was a case of the "Perfect 10" for the premiers as they rammed through a further seven majors to the Bloods' one, along with some minor scores the Bays romped away to an 87-point win. Jarryd Lyons was supreme for the Tigers, taking best afield honours with his 30 disposals, eight marks, six clearances and three goals. Kobe Ryan was the Bloods' standout with 26 disposals, 11 clearances and five tackles.
Game number four brings us to the southern fringe of the city, where the Double Blues faced the Crows at Thomas Farms Oval in Unley. The Blues won both games in 2024 at Oxford Terrace, beginning with a crushing 61-point win in Round 7, followed by a 14-point win in Round 19. The latter game was not a lesson in goal-kicking, that's for certain. Both sides had a pretty hard time finding the big sticks, with a total of 46 scoring shots for a return of 12 goals overall. The Blues were challenged by the luckless Roosters a fortnight ago but were able to hold off a last term assault to win by 23 points at Prospect, while the Crows dominated an inaccurate Magpies at Adelaide Oval in their 45-point win. This was a top-three game -- first vs third -- and the opening term somewhat reflected that with an equal exchange of goals in the first 15 minutes. The Blues then managed to put a couple extra through without reply to go into the first change with a 13-point lead, the board reading 4.1 to 2.0. Adelaide kicked the first goal of the second term, but then the Blues went on a scoring spree that saw them get as far up as 39 points. The Crows kicked the last couple of goals to bring it back to 27 by the long break. The visitors' third term would give the locals a bit of a fright, the Blues advantage whittled back to something more manageable by three quarter-time. Adelaide kicked 6.2 to Sturt's 3.1, the deficit back to just eight points. But the fightback was short-lived, the Blues clamping down on the Crows' attack to keep them to just one goal at the 14th minute. By that time the home side had 2.3 on the board, though the ensuing 12 minutes between Sturt's goals that bracketed Adelaide's single major must have seemed long. That third and final goal for the game saw the Blues home by 23 points. Will Snelling is no doubt an early favourite for the Magarey Medal, taking out best afield honours for Sturt with 31 disposals, 14 tackles, nine clearances and six marks. Adelaide's standout was Lachlan Murphy with 26 disposals, six clearances and five tackles.
The final game for the round takes us to the mid-north west of town and into the Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Woodville where the Eagles met the Panthers. The Eagles took out all the points on offer last season, with victories in Rounds 6 and 18. While the latter game at Noarlunga was decided with a massive second half, the earlier game at Oval Avenue was much less clear-cut. The Eagles' third term inaccuracy let South sniff a chance, but the defenders stepped up in the finish as they escaped with a five-point win. These two sides lost their respective games two weeks ago, the Eagles in a heartbreaker at Tiger-land and the Panthers by five goals to Norwood at home. The Eagles began very much the better looking outfit, slamming on six goals before the Panthers could get one of their own. At quarter-time, the board read 6.1 to one goal the Eagles' way. To the shock of the local faithful though, the Panthers pulled the reverse card in the second quarter, ramming through six of their own while the Eagles kicked just one. An additional three minor scores to South was the difference at the half-time break. A great deal of the fuel in the Panthers' tank must have been used up in that time, when play resumed the Eagles held them to nothing for the entire third term. Accuracy was the only thing keeping the visitors in the game, the Eagles kicking 3.7 to lead by 22 points at three quarter-time. Unfortunately, what South had left in the final term wasn't going to be enough, though they kicked the first goal they were soon overwhelmed as the Eagles kicked four of the last five goals as the home side finished up 35-point winners. Kobe Mutch was voted best for the Eagles, with 26 disposals, seven tackles along with five clearances and marks. For the Panthers, it was Callum McCarty with 20 disposals, eight clearances, six tackles and marks, plus winning four free kicks.
FINAL SCORES -- Round 7
Friday May 23
Central District 13.6 (84)
Norwood 10.13 (73)
2,209 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Saturday May 24
Port Adelaide 11.6 (72)
North Adelaide 10.10 (70)
1,227 @ Alberton Oval
Glenelg 21.16 (142)
West Adelaide 7.13 (55)
2,331 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Sturt 15.8 (98)
Adelaide 12.3 (75)
2,984 @ Thomas Farms Oval, Unley
Woodville-West Torrens 14.10 (94)
South Adelaide 9.5 (59)
1,421 @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
REPORTS
Central -- Thomas (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
--------------------------------------------------
Sturt -- 14pts (7-0-0), 60.4%
Central -- 12pts (6-1-0), 59.7%
Glenelg -- 10pts (5-2-0), 59.8%
Adelaide -- 10pts (5-2-0), 56.4%
W-WT -- 10pts (5-2-0), 55.8%
--------------------------------------------------
North -- 4pts (2-5-0), 45.3%
Port -- 4pts (2-5-0), 41.4%
Norwood -- 2pts (1-6-0), 44%
South -- 2pts (1-6-0), 41.5%
West -- 2pts (1-6-0) 34.6%
---------------------------------------------------
Next weekend in Round 8...
Saturday May 31
West Adelaide vs. Norwood; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 1:10pm
Central District vs. Sturt; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Prospect Oval @ 2:30pm
South Adelaide vs. Glenelg; Magain Stadium, Noarlunga @ 2:30pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
