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- May 8, 2001
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- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
Last week we said goodbye to the Redlegs for 2017, this week we would farewell another club for the season as the field was narrowed down to three. The defending premiers found themselves in the unwanted position of sudden death, the Magpies taking them down a notch in the Qualifying Final and putting them in the path of a Bulldogs outfit full of confidence. As for the Magpies, awaiting them was the minor premiers in the Eagles. But the Eagles of the last month haven't been exactly setting anyone alight and the Magpies were still packed with top-flight AFL-listed talent. A Grand Final berth awaited the victor, the defeated would still have one more hurdle to jump before thinking about premiership glory. This is Finals Football.
Welcome to the Week 2 edition of the SANFL Finals Wrap-Up.
First up in the Sunday afternoon action at Adelaide Oval, it was the cut-throat 1st Semi-Final between the Double Blues and the Bulldogs. In the 1st Semi-Final, these clubs have played in a collective 29 games with the Blues playing 21 for a 12-9 win-loss record and the Dogs appearing in nine for five wins. Against each other this was just their second meeting, the Bulldogs were victorious against the Blues by 27 points back in 1971 which was their first foray into a finals series. In doing so, Centrals brought to a halt the Sturt machine that had won the previous five premierships. The Dogs haven't ever won the title from this position, but the Blues have on two occasions. The first was in 1932 when they downed the Magpies and defeated North Adelaide in the decider, then in 1976 against Norwood before they overran Port in the Grand Final. In the records department, Sturt's 1983 score of 24.7 (151) is second highest to North's 1990 tally of 23.14 (152). The Bulldogs' record is far less impressive, the biggest winning margin coming at their expense at the hands of the Roosters in 2012, a gap of 88 points. Their most recent appearances saw the Dogs victorious by five point against the Magpies in 2015, while the Blues were sent packing out of 2014 thanks to a 68-point hiding from the Panthers.
The Blues had the better of the Bulldogs for the home and away season, starting with a 17-point victory at Elizabeth in Round 9, then a 31-point win at Unley in Round 14. The Blues premiership was given a shake-up by the Magpies last week, a last ditch comeback thwarted in the final term while the Dogs disposed of the Redlegs in similar fashion to 2015. Both sides spurned a few opportunities each, the Blues getting the scoring started before the Bulldogs bit back in the opening quarter for a score of 3.4 to 2.4 in favour of Sturt. The Dogs continued to have goal-kicking issues in the second term, but the Blues didn't truly take full advantage of Centrals' wayward shooting. Sturt kicked three goals without a miss, the Dogs scored 2.4 as the margin crept out to eight points by the half-time break. Some of the form that the Bulldogs have shown during the last few rounds of home and away football became a lot more visible in the third term, the Double Blues lead cut back to just a single straight kick by the final change as the Dogs kicked 5.2 to 4.2, the gap was down to just two points. Unfortunately for the Dogs, the cleaner play by the Blues would see them fall short in the end. Centrals pushed and pushed, but more inaccuracy brought an end to their year as the Blues added 3.2 to 2.3 to win by seven points. James Battersby was named best for Sturt, the Dogs named Josh Glenn as their best afield.
The second match for the day was the 2nd Semi-Final, the Eagles facing the Magpies with a Grand Final spot up for grabs. The Magpies hold the record for most appearances in the 2nd Semi, with 26 win from 49 matches. Their last victory in a 2nd Semi-Final was in 1999, defeating the Eagles by 43 points on their way to that year's premiership. Subsequent appearances in 2005 and 2014 ended in losses to the Bulldogs and the Redlegs. Port also carries the highest score in a 2nd Semi, kicking 24.20 (164) against Sturt in 1980 before winning that year's premiership against Norwood. Before the merger, West Torrens played in four games for three wins -- with a victory and loss against Port amongst them -- while Woodville never featured. From 1991, the Eagles have played in 10 games for four wins including the last two against the Bloods and the Blues respectively. The Eagles first appearance in this match was in 1992, the Magpies handing them a 39-point loss as they bowed out in the Preliminary Final the following week. Things were far better for them the following season, their first successful finals campaign starting with a record 74-point smashing of Port in 1993 before winning the flag against Norwood. The next season however, while they belted Port again in the 2nd Semi, only two weeks later the Magpies well and truly turned the tables in the decider.
This year's encounters between the two sides saw the Eagles take out both, beginning with a 21-point win at Alberton in Round 6, then by 27 points at Woodville in Round 11. But the minor premiers have been a bit off their game for the past month, only winning one of their last four games and that 11-point win against Adelaide wasn't terribly convincing. Port on the other hand, after falling in Round 13 to the Dogs, hadn't dropped points. Despite losing three AFL-listed players as a consequence of the Power's elimination on Saturday, the Magpies still bossed the opening term despite their inaccuracy. They kicked 5.5 to the Eagles' single poster to lead by 34 points at the first change. The Eagles finally found their way through the big sticks in the second term, but only managed to chip a single goal off the gap by the long break. The Eagles scored 3.1 to Port's 2.1, the 'Pies lead cut to 28 points come half-time. Some goal-kicking yips crept into the Magpies' game during the third term, but the Eagles weren't doing any better at the other end. The Magpies scored 1.5 to the Eagles' four behinds as the deficit went out to 35 points. There was to be no catch up from here, but there was no final term blitz from either side. The Magpies booked their spot in the decider with a 33-point win, kicking 2.2 to the Eagles' 2.4 to finish the afternoon. Jarrod Lienert was named best afield for Port, the Eagles named Chris Hall as their standout.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK 2 OF THE SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 11
1st SEMI-FINAL
Sturt 13.8 (86)
Central District 11.13 (79)
2nd SEMI-FINAL
Port Adelaide 10.13 (73)
Woodville-West Torrens 5.10 (40)
9,029 @ Adelaide Oval
INJURIES
Central -- Stephenson (ankle)
Port -- White (ankle), Krakouer (hamstring)
REPORTS
None known at time of post.
U-18 FINALS -- BLUES INTO FINAL
The Double Blues will face the Eagles for the Torrens University Cup in the U-18 Grand Final after accounting for the Panthers in their Preliminary Final on Friday at Football Park. The Panthers just couldn't buy a goal for the entire first half with eight behinds to their name. The Blues' goal-kicking wasn't shattering either, but they led by five goals at the long break. Souths finally had some goals on the board in the third term, even cutting the lead back to four straight kicks by the final change. But that gap would stand in the finish, both sides kicking 2.3 in the last quarter as the Blues booked their spot in the premiership decider with a 23-point win.
PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Sturt 10.12 (72) def. South Adelaide 6.13 (49)
RESERVES FINALS -- FLAG DEFENCE OVER FOR NORTH, PORT TO FACE BLOODS
The Bloods eventually put down a tenacious Roosters outfit in their 1st Semi-Final, bringing North's premiership defence to an end at City Mazda Stadium in Richmond. After being almost inseparable for three quarters of football where the breaks saw margins of 1-2 points, the Bloods kept the Roosters to just one behind in the final term and kicked 3.5 for themselves to win by 23 points. They will now face the Magpies in the Preliminary Final, they were defeated by the Double Blues in their 2nd Semi-Final by 46 points in what was surprisingly, the opening match on the Saturday. The Blues led at every change, after leading by 14 points at half-time they left the Magpies in their wake, allowing them just 2.4 whilst scoring 7.6 in the second half.
1st SEMI-FINAL -- West Adelaide 9.12 (66) def. North Adelaide 6.7 (43)
2nd SEMI-FINAL -- Sturt 13.10 (88) def. Port Adelaide 6.6 (42)
Next weekend in Week 3 of the SANFL Finals...
Saturday September 16 @ 11:30am
RESERVES PRELIMINARY FINAL
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; City Mazda Stadium, Richmond
Sunday September 17 @ Adelaide Oval
U-18's TORRENS UNI CUP GRAND FINAL
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Sturt; 10:55am
LEAGUE PRELIMINARY FINAL
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Sturt; 2:40pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
Last week we said goodbye to the Redlegs for 2017, this week we would farewell another club for the season as the field was narrowed down to three. The defending premiers found themselves in the unwanted position of sudden death, the Magpies taking them down a notch in the Qualifying Final and putting them in the path of a Bulldogs outfit full of confidence. As for the Magpies, awaiting them was the minor premiers in the Eagles. But the Eagles of the last month haven't been exactly setting anyone alight and the Magpies were still packed with top-flight AFL-listed talent. A Grand Final berth awaited the victor, the defeated would still have one more hurdle to jump before thinking about premiership glory. This is Finals Football.
Welcome to the Week 2 edition of the SANFL Finals Wrap-Up.
First up in the Sunday afternoon action at Adelaide Oval, it was the cut-throat 1st Semi-Final between the Double Blues and the Bulldogs. In the 1st Semi-Final, these clubs have played in a collective 29 games with the Blues playing 21 for a 12-9 win-loss record and the Dogs appearing in nine for five wins. Against each other this was just their second meeting, the Bulldogs were victorious against the Blues by 27 points back in 1971 which was their first foray into a finals series. In doing so, Centrals brought to a halt the Sturt machine that had won the previous five premierships. The Dogs haven't ever won the title from this position, but the Blues have on two occasions. The first was in 1932 when they downed the Magpies and defeated North Adelaide in the decider, then in 1976 against Norwood before they overran Port in the Grand Final. In the records department, Sturt's 1983 score of 24.7 (151) is second highest to North's 1990 tally of 23.14 (152). The Bulldogs' record is far less impressive, the biggest winning margin coming at their expense at the hands of the Roosters in 2012, a gap of 88 points. Their most recent appearances saw the Dogs victorious by five point against the Magpies in 2015, while the Blues were sent packing out of 2014 thanks to a 68-point hiding from the Panthers.
The Blues had the better of the Bulldogs for the home and away season, starting with a 17-point victory at Elizabeth in Round 9, then a 31-point win at Unley in Round 14. The Blues premiership was given a shake-up by the Magpies last week, a last ditch comeback thwarted in the final term while the Dogs disposed of the Redlegs in similar fashion to 2015. Both sides spurned a few opportunities each, the Blues getting the scoring started before the Bulldogs bit back in the opening quarter for a score of 3.4 to 2.4 in favour of Sturt. The Dogs continued to have goal-kicking issues in the second term, but the Blues didn't truly take full advantage of Centrals' wayward shooting. Sturt kicked three goals without a miss, the Dogs scored 2.4 as the margin crept out to eight points by the half-time break. Some of the form that the Bulldogs have shown during the last few rounds of home and away football became a lot more visible in the third term, the Double Blues lead cut back to just a single straight kick by the final change as the Dogs kicked 5.2 to 4.2, the gap was down to just two points. Unfortunately for the Dogs, the cleaner play by the Blues would see them fall short in the end. Centrals pushed and pushed, but more inaccuracy brought an end to their year as the Blues added 3.2 to 2.3 to win by seven points. James Battersby was named best for Sturt, the Dogs named Josh Glenn as their best afield.
The second match for the day was the 2nd Semi-Final, the Eagles facing the Magpies with a Grand Final spot up for grabs. The Magpies hold the record for most appearances in the 2nd Semi, with 26 win from 49 matches. Their last victory in a 2nd Semi-Final was in 1999, defeating the Eagles by 43 points on their way to that year's premiership. Subsequent appearances in 2005 and 2014 ended in losses to the Bulldogs and the Redlegs. Port also carries the highest score in a 2nd Semi, kicking 24.20 (164) against Sturt in 1980 before winning that year's premiership against Norwood. Before the merger, West Torrens played in four games for three wins -- with a victory and loss against Port amongst them -- while Woodville never featured. From 1991, the Eagles have played in 10 games for four wins including the last two against the Bloods and the Blues respectively. The Eagles first appearance in this match was in 1992, the Magpies handing them a 39-point loss as they bowed out in the Preliminary Final the following week. Things were far better for them the following season, their first successful finals campaign starting with a record 74-point smashing of Port in 1993 before winning the flag against Norwood. The next season however, while they belted Port again in the 2nd Semi, only two weeks later the Magpies well and truly turned the tables in the decider.
This year's encounters between the two sides saw the Eagles take out both, beginning with a 21-point win at Alberton in Round 6, then by 27 points at Woodville in Round 11. But the minor premiers have been a bit off their game for the past month, only winning one of their last four games and that 11-point win against Adelaide wasn't terribly convincing. Port on the other hand, after falling in Round 13 to the Dogs, hadn't dropped points. Despite losing three AFL-listed players as a consequence of the Power's elimination on Saturday, the Magpies still bossed the opening term despite their inaccuracy. They kicked 5.5 to the Eagles' single poster to lead by 34 points at the first change. The Eagles finally found their way through the big sticks in the second term, but only managed to chip a single goal off the gap by the long break. The Eagles scored 3.1 to Port's 2.1, the 'Pies lead cut to 28 points come half-time. Some goal-kicking yips crept into the Magpies' game during the third term, but the Eagles weren't doing any better at the other end. The Magpies scored 1.5 to the Eagles' four behinds as the deficit went out to 35 points. There was to be no catch up from here, but there was no final term blitz from either side. The Magpies booked their spot in the decider with a 33-point win, kicking 2.2 to the Eagles' 2.4 to finish the afternoon. Jarrod Lienert was named best afield for Port, the Eagles named Chris Hall as their standout.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK 2 OF THE SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 11
1st SEMI-FINAL
Sturt 13.8 (86)
Central District 11.13 (79)
2nd SEMI-FINAL
Port Adelaide 10.13 (73)
Woodville-West Torrens 5.10 (40)
9,029 @ Adelaide Oval
INJURIES
Central -- Stephenson (ankle)
Port -- White (ankle), Krakouer (hamstring)
REPORTS
None known at time of post.
U-18 FINALS -- BLUES INTO FINAL
The Double Blues will face the Eagles for the Torrens University Cup in the U-18 Grand Final after accounting for the Panthers in their Preliminary Final on Friday at Football Park. The Panthers just couldn't buy a goal for the entire first half with eight behinds to their name. The Blues' goal-kicking wasn't shattering either, but they led by five goals at the long break. Souths finally had some goals on the board in the third term, even cutting the lead back to four straight kicks by the final change. But that gap would stand in the finish, both sides kicking 2.3 in the last quarter as the Blues booked their spot in the premiership decider with a 23-point win.
PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Sturt 10.12 (72) def. South Adelaide 6.13 (49)
RESERVES FINALS -- FLAG DEFENCE OVER FOR NORTH, PORT TO FACE BLOODS
The Bloods eventually put down a tenacious Roosters outfit in their 1st Semi-Final, bringing North's premiership defence to an end at City Mazda Stadium in Richmond. After being almost inseparable for three quarters of football where the breaks saw margins of 1-2 points, the Bloods kept the Roosters to just one behind in the final term and kicked 3.5 for themselves to win by 23 points. They will now face the Magpies in the Preliminary Final, they were defeated by the Double Blues in their 2nd Semi-Final by 46 points in what was surprisingly, the opening match on the Saturday. The Blues led at every change, after leading by 14 points at half-time they left the Magpies in their wake, allowing them just 2.4 whilst scoring 7.6 in the second half.
1st SEMI-FINAL -- West Adelaide 9.12 (66) def. North Adelaide 6.7 (43)
2nd SEMI-FINAL -- Sturt 13.10 (88) def. Port Adelaide 6.6 (42)
Next weekend in Week 3 of the SANFL Finals...
Saturday September 16 @ 11:30am
RESERVES PRELIMINARY FINAL
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; City Mazda Stadium, Richmond
Sunday September 17 @ Adelaide Oval
U-18's TORRENS UNI CUP GRAND FINAL
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Sturt; 10:55am
LEAGUE PRELIMINARY FINAL
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Sturt; 2:40pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
