- May 8, 2001
- 5,667
- 818
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
Last weekend we saw off five sides for the rest of 2021. The Blues and the Magpies, so close but yet so far after strong finishes to the season. The Crows, much like their senior brethren, well off the pace. The Bulldogs, plenty of youthful enthusiasm but that alone isn't enough. And finally, the Bloods, who have probably endured one of their worst seasons in memory since their sensational fall from grace in 2016. So now the final stretch of this marathon begins. Those that remain to continue fighting will one by one join those other sides in their planning for 2022, until there is one team left standing to claim the prize. First there's the Panthers, fighting for their first senior flag in almost 60 years. The Roosters, premiers just three seasons ago and humbled in last year's decider. The Redlegs, triple champions early last decade and runner-ups to North in 2018. The Eagles, reigning and defending premiers and looking for a historic first back-to-back crown. Then this year's runaway minor premiers in the Tigers, top of the pops in all three divisions and chasing a premiership to finish off their centenary year. Let the games begin, the Thomas Seymour-Hill Trophy awaits the last team standing. This is Finals Football.
Welcome to the Finals Week One edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
It's off to the home of South Australian football at the Adelaide Oval, beginning with the Elimination Final between the Roosters and the Panthers. These sides have clashed in two previous Elimination Finals, the last was back in 2018 where North came out on top by 20 points and went on to win the title, emulating Norwood's 1984 feat of coming from fifth to claim the trophy. Before that, it was in the 1983 season where North also emerged victorious by 40 points. The Roosters have contested 10 eliminators for eight wins,while South have won five games from nine appearances. While the red & whites have got a better success percentage, its Norwood who have featured in the most Elimination Finals with 13 wins from 19 appearances. They also have the unwelcome distinction of the lowest score, their premiership defence brought to a halt in 2015 by the Bulldogs who held them to 4.11. Historically the odds of winning the flag from here are long, but not impossible. As already mentioned, the Roosters and the Redlegs have done it from fifth, with sides such as Glenelg, Port and West doing it themselves from fourth. The ledger for this season's matches between these sides was a victory for each side, with the visitors being the ones that came out on top. Back in Round 2, the Panthers won by 11 points at Menzies Crescent before the Roosters returned the favour and then some, by 56 points at Noarlunga in Round 17. But while both sides hit snags in the latter parts of the season, the Roosters' stumbles hit at such a bad time. That win against South was their last for the regular season, falling to Norwood and Sturt in consecutive weeks to fall from a Qualifying Final spot to a sudden-death situation. The blue & whites' last round victory against the Bloods gave them momentum. Not much, but momentum nonetheless compared to North's finish.
While poor shooting on goal was the big factor in North's loss to the Redlegs, the following week was far from competitive as the Blues ripped them apart. Of course at the time, the Blues were hoping the Bloods were pulling off a miracle against South which wouldn't come to pass. Before the first bounce, the ground got a watering thanks to Mother Nature, making for a slippery surface and eventually a slippery ball. The rain stopped just before play began, although still a little breezy. South were all over the Roosters from the start, in scenes similar to what Sturt did to them last week. Although inaccurate early, the Panthers kicked to a 22-point quarter-time lead, holding the Roosters to a single behind whilst scoring an 3.5 for themselves. North finally found the big sticks in the second quarter and despite having some accuracy issues of their own would draw the Panthers back to within a couple of kicks around the 14th minute mark. But as quickly as they came back they were shoved right back into the turf as the Panthers sprinted away to a half-time lead of 40 points, finishing the first half with five unanswered goals, altogether scoring 5.4 to 2.4. To add to North's woes, they were coughing up an absolute swag of errors which led to turnovers and plenty of free kicks. By game's end they had handed 18 more frees to the Panthers, who made them suffer for each one. The Panthers did have their off quarter when play resumed, the Roosters started to chip away at the deficit and by the final change were back to within four goals after scoring 4.4 to South's two goals. It seemed as though the Roosters had found something to build on. However, after scoring the opening goal of the final term, the Roosters were soon cast aside and dumped from the series, the Panthers ruling the rest of the game as the rain came down again. South scored 5.3 to 2.1 to win by 43 points and book their spot in next week's 1st Semi-Final. This would be the last appearance for Rooster pair Mitch Clisby and Tom Schwarz, retiring after 151 and 130 games respectively as well as being part of North's 2018 premiership side. Bryce Gibbs was South's standout with 29 disposals, five tackles and six clearances, while in the Roosters' camp it was Harrison Wigg with 24 disposals and 11 tackles.
Which now brings us to the main event for the day, the Qualifying Final between the Eagles and the Redlegs. These two clubs have only ever met in one other match in this format, back in 2011 when the Redlegs tripped the Eagles up by 61 points. Of course, history will show that not only did the Eagles return the favour only two weeks later in the Preliminary Final, but went on to win the flag. It will also show that the best record in Qualifying Finals belongs to the Magpies, with 12 wins from 17 appearances as well as the highest score of 23.17. The worst record in history is South Adelaide, who have lost all three of their matches with their last being in 2016 to Sturt, who went on to take the trophy. The Eagles' record in qualifiers is 50-50, with five wins from 10 appearances. Their first was back in 1991, which they lost by 44 points to eventual champions North Adelaide. Vengeance was exacted a year later, the Eagles setting a record winning margin of 17 goals against the Roosters. Norwood's record in qualifiers is eight victories from 14 games, their last was back in 2014 against the Double Blues on their way to a third consecutive premiership. In league history, on 30 occasions the Qualifying Final winners have made it to Grand Finals. From that, 18 have won the premiership. From the group that have lost this game, eight have managed to make the Grand Final but only three have taken the prize. The reigning premiers took out both their regular season games, with victories in Round 8 by 47 points at Woodville, then by six goals at The Parade in Round 15. The following week saw the Eagles fall to the Roosters, but they would win the final three rounds culminating in their hammering of Centrals at home.
The Redlegs that lost to the Eagles then the Tigers didn't look like they would even finish in third position, but a fighting finish to the home and away season and the Roosters' ill-timed stumbles in the last fortnight saw them jump to the double chance position to book their date with the current champs. While still rather cool and a little bit of wind still hung around, the rain had been and gone by the time the first bounce came. The scoreboard would reflect a tit-for-tat game, only some inaccuracy between the sides kept things close. The Eagles would lead by one point at quarter-time, anytime the Eagles seemed to break away the 'Legs would reel them back in with the board reading 3.3 to 3.2 at the first change. The second term was just as much of a struggle and an arm-wrestle. The gap would never exceed one straight kick at any stage of the quarter, the scores would be locked up at 5.5 each going into the changerooms at the long break, Norwood scoring 2.3 to 2.2 to tie the game at half-time. For the entirety of the game, speaking of biggest gaps, would never go higher than two straight kicks, such was the slog that had ensued this day. Much had changed for the Redlegs, whose record against the reigning premiers this season would have suggested that the Eagles still had a heap of unused fuel in the tank considering the ease in which they smashed the Bulldogs only a week ago. The Redlegs weren't going quietly this time around. The scoreboard attendant wasn't needing to do too much in the third quarter as the scores slowed to a trickle compared with the first half. The Eagles ruled most of the quarter but their entries into their attacking 50 only yielded two goals in the first six minutes. After Norwood's only major at 12 minutes, the rest of the time left before three quarter-time was spent defending hard in both ends. The Eagles would go into the final change with a six-point lead. The inaccuracy bug would plague both sides in the final quarter, in the end the Eagles hung on for a seven-point win, scoring 1.4 to 1.3 to finish off the afternoon and book their date with the Tigers next week. The Redlegs will now face the Panthers in a cut-throat semi-final. James Tsitas was named best for the Eagles, with 29 disposals, seven clearances and 11 tackles. The Redlegs would name Matthew Nunn as their best with 25 disposals, five clearances and eight tackles.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK ONE OF THE SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 12
ELIMINATION FINAL
South Adelaide 15.11 (101)
North Adelaide 8.10 (58)
QUALIFYING FINAL
Woodville-West Torrens 8.9 (57)
Norwood 7.8 (50)
Adelaide Oval
INJURIES
W-WT -- Lehmann (hamstring)
REPORTS
W-WT -- T. Menzel (rough conduct)
Other Grade Finals -- EAGLES THROUGH TO U-18 DECIDER, DOGS DESTROYERS IN RESERVES ELIMINATOR
The Eagles will face the Tigers next week in the 2021 Torrens University Cup Grand Final after accounting for the Bloods in their Preliminary Final at Thebarton Oval on Saturday afternoon. This was one that got away from the Bloods, who held the Eagles to 1.1 whilst kicking away to a 26-point quarter-time lead. West would be held down to just two behinds in the second term as the Eagles went into the half-time break with a five-point lead after they bagged 5.3. Inaccuracy in the Eagles camp would not be a problem in the second half, they ran rings around the Bloods to score 7.11 to 4.3 and run out 31-point winners. The Grand Final will kick off the Saturday Finals-fest at Adelaide Oval just after mid-day. Its a similar situation in the Reserves where the Eagles will also face the Tigers but in a 2nd Semi-Final after they defeated the Double Blues in their qualifier by 25 points. The first term would prove to be the game-breaker for the Eagles, who like the seniors are out to defend their title. They scored 5.2 to 1.1 to start and from there all they needed to do was answer every challenge which they did. A late Sturt challenge brought the gap back to 19 points but the damage was already done. The Blues will now face the Bulldogs, who took the hammer to the Bloods in their Elimination Final in their 70-point demolition. West kicked two goals in the opening term but then wouldn't find the big sticks again until the final term. Centrals were already well on their way by that time though, leaving the Bloods in their wake earlier with an ever increasing gap. The Reserves finals will be held at ACH Group Stadium at Glenelg from 11am this Saturday.
Saturday September 11 @ Thebarton Oval
U-18 PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Woodville-West Torrens 13.15 (93) def. West Adelaide 9.8 (62)
RESERVES ELIMINATION FINAL -- Central District 14.12 (96) def. West Adelaide 3.8 (26)
RESERVES QUALIFYING FINAL -- Woodville-West Torrens 14.6 (90) def. Sturt 10.5 (65)
TIGERS TAKE LEWIS TROPHY
The Glenelg Football Club has taken out the Stanley H. Lewis Trophy for 2021, with all three men's divisions finishing top of the pops. The U-18's finished the year with 15 wins, the Reserves with 16 and the League side on 17 wins, winning the minor premiership across the three as well. With this being their centenary season and the women's division taking out their inaugural SANFL-W premiership, there is still history to be written by the Tigers. The Eagles finished second in the running for the trophy, finishing second in all three divisions and on the Lewis ladder. Norwood came third despite finishing outside finals contention in the Reserves and U-18's, South in fourth position and North rounding out the top five.
Next weekend finals schedule...
Saturday September 18
RESERVES 2nd SEMI-FINAL
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens @ 11am
RESERVES 1st SEMI-FINAL
Sturt vs. Central District @ 1:30pm
ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg
U-18 TORRENS UNIVERSITY CUP GRAND FINAL
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens @ 12:10pm
LEAGUE 1st SEMI-FINAL
Norwood vs. South Adelaide @ 3:15pm
LEAGUE 2nd SEMI-FINAL
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens @ 7:15pm
Adelaide Oval
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
Last weekend we saw off five sides for the rest of 2021. The Blues and the Magpies, so close but yet so far after strong finishes to the season. The Crows, much like their senior brethren, well off the pace. The Bulldogs, plenty of youthful enthusiasm but that alone isn't enough. And finally, the Bloods, who have probably endured one of their worst seasons in memory since their sensational fall from grace in 2016. So now the final stretch of this marathon begins. Those that remain to continue fighting will one by one join those other sides in their planning for 2022, until there is one team left standing to claim the prize. First there's the Panthers, fighting for their first senior flag in almost 60 years. The Roosters, premiers just three seasons ago and humbled in last year's decider. The Redlegs, triple champions early last decade and runner-ups to North in 2018. The Eagles, reigning and defending premiers and looking for a historic first back-to-back crown. Then this year's runaway minor premiers in the Tigers, top of the pops in all three divisions and chasing a premiership to finish off their centenary year. Let the games begin, the Thomas Seymour-Hill Trophy awaits the last team standing. This is Finals Football.
Welcome to the Finals Week One edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
It's off to the home of South Australian football at the Adelaide Oval, beginning with the Elimination Final between the Roosters and the Panthers. These sides have clashed in two previous Elimination Finals, the last was back in 2018 where North came out on top by 20 points and went on to win the title, emulating Norwood's 1984 feat of coming from fifth to claim the trophy. Before that, it was in the 1983 season where North also emerged victorious by 40 points. The Roosters have contested 10 eliminators for eight wins,while South have won five games from nine appearances. While the red & whites have got a better success percentage, its Norwood who have featured in the most Elimination Finals with 13 wins from 19 appearances. They also have the unwelcome distinction of the lowest score, their premiership defence brought to a halt in 2015 by the Bulldogs who held them to 4.11. Historically the odds of winning the flag from here are long, but not impossible. As already mentioned, the Roosters and the Redlegs have done it from fifth, with sides such as Glenelg, Port and West doing it themselves from fourth. The ledger for this season's matches between these sides was a victory for each side, with the visitors being the ones that came out on top. Back in Round 2, the Panthers won by 11 points at Menzies Crescent before the Roosters returned the favour and then some, by 56 points at Noarlunga in Round 17. But while both sides hit snags in the latter parts of the season, the Roosters' stumbles hit at such a bad time. That win against South was their last for the regular season, falling to Norwood and Sturt in consecutive weeks to fall from a Qualifying Final spot to a sudden-death situation. The blue & whites' last round victory against the Bloods gave them momentum. Not much, but momentum nonetheless compared to North's finish.
While poor shooting on goal was the big factor in North's loss to the Redlegs, the following week was far from competitive as the Blues ripped them apart. Of course at the time, the Blues were hoping the Bloods were pulling off a miracle against South which wouldn't come to pass. Before the first bounce, the ground got a watering thanks to Mother Nature, making for a slippery surface and eventually a slippery ball. The rain stopped just before play began, although still a little breezy. South were all over the Roosters from the start, in scenes similar to what Sturt did to them last week. Although inaccurate early, the Panthers kicked to a 22-point quarter-time lead, holding the Roosters to a single behind whilst scoring an 3.5 for themselves. North finally found the big sticks in the second quarter and despite having some accuracy issues of their own would draw the Panthers back to within a couple of kicks around the 14th minute mark. But as quickly as they came back they were shoved right back into the turf as the Panthers sprinted away to a half-time lead of 40 points, finishing the first half with five unanswered goals, altogether scoring 5.4 to 2.4. To add to North's woes, they were coughing up an absolute swag of errors which led to turnovers and plenty of free kicks. By game's end they had handed 18 more frees to the Panthers, who made them suffer for each one. The Panthers did have their off quarter when play resumed, the Roosters started to chip away at the deficit and by the final change were back to within four goals after scoring 4.4 to South's two goals. It seemed as though the Roosters had found something to build on. However, after scoring the opening goal of the final term, the Roosters were soon cast aside and dumped from the series, the Panthers ruling the rest of the game as the rain came down again. South scored 5.3 to 2.1 to win by 43 points and book their spot in next week's 1st Semi-Final. This would be the last appearance for Rooster pair Mitch Clisby and Tom Schwarz, retiring after 151 and 130 games respectively as well as being part of North's 2018 premiership side. Bryce Gibbs was South's standout with 29 disposals, five tackles and six clearances, while in the Roosters' camp it was Harrison Wigg with 24 disposals and 11 tackles.
Which now brings us to the main event for the day, the Qualifying Final between the Eagles and the Redlegs. These two clubs have only ever met in one other match in this format, back in 2011 when the Redlegs tripped the Eagles up by 61 points. Of course, history will show that not only did the Eagles return the favour only two weeks later in the Preliminary Final, but went on to win the flag. It will also show that the best record in Qualifying Finals belongs to the Magpies, with 12 wins from 17 appearances as well as the highest score of 23.17. The worst record in history is South Adelaide, who have lost all three of their matches with their last being in 2016 to Sturt, who went on to take the trophy. The Eagles' record in qualifiers is 50-50, with five wins from 10 appearances. Their first was back in 1991, which they lost by 44 points to eventual champions North Adelaide. Vengeance was exacted a year later, the Eagles setting a record winning margin of 17 goals against the Roosters. Norwood's record in qualifiers is eight victories from 14 games, their last was back in 2014 against the Double Blues on their way to a third consecutive premiership. In league history, on 30 occasions the Qualifying Final winners have made it to Grand Finals. From that, 18 have won the premiership. From the group that have lost this game, eight have managed to make the Grand Final but only three have taken the prize. The reigning premiers took out both their regular season games, with victories in Round 8 by 47 points at Woodville, then by six goals at The Parade in Round 15. The following week saw the Eagles fall to the Roosters, but they would win the final three rounds culminating in their hammering of Centrals at home.
The Redlegs that lost to the Eagles then the Tigers didn't look like they would even finish in third position, but a fighting finish to the home and away season and the Roosters' ill-timed stumbles in the last fortnight saw them jump to the double chance position to book their date with the current champs. While still rather cool and a little bit of wind still hung around, the rain had been and gone by the time the first bounce came. The scoreboard would reflect a tit-for-tat game, only some inaccuracy between the sides kept things close. The Eagles would lead by one point at quarter-time, anytime the Eagles seemed to break away the 'Legs would reel them back in with the board reading 3.3 to 3.2 at the first change. The second term was just as much of a struggle and an arm-wrestle. The gap would never exceed one straight kick at any stage of the quarter, the scores would be locked up at 5.5 each going into the changerooms at the long break, Norwood scoring 2.3 to 2.2 to tie the game at half-time. For the entirety of the game, speaking of biggest gaps, would never go higher than two straight kicks, such was the slog that had ensued this day. Much had changed for the Redlegs, whose record against the reigning premiers this season would have suggested that the Eagles still had a heap of unused fuel in the tank considering the ease in which they smashed the Bulldogs only a week ago. The Redlegs weren't going quietly this time around. The scoreboard attendant wasn't needing to do too much in the third quarter as the scores slowed to a trickle compared with the first half. The Eagles ruled most of the quarter but their entries into their attacking 50 only yielded two goals in the first six minutes. After Norwood's only major at 12 minutes, the rest of the time left before three quarter-time was spent defending hard in both ends. The Eagles would go into the final change with a six-point lead. The inaccuracy bug would plague both sides in the final quarter, in the end the Eagles hung on for a seven-point win, scoring 1.4 to 1.3 to finish off the afternoon and book their date with the Tigers next week. The Redlegs will now face the Panthers in a cut-throat semi-final. James Tsitas was named best for the Eagles, with 29 disposals, seven clearances and 11 tackles. The Redlegs would name Matthew Nunn as their best with 25 disposals, five clearances and eight tackles.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK ONE OF THE SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 12
ELIMINATION FINAL
South Adelaide 15.11 (101)
North Adelaide 8.10 (58)
QUALIFYING FINAL
Woodville-West Torrens 8.9 (57)
Norwood 7.8 (50)
Adelaide Oval
INJURIES
W-WT -- Lehmann (hamstring)
REPORTS
W-WT -- T. Menzel (rough conduct)
Other Grade Finals -- EAGLES THROUGH TO U-18 DECIDER, DOGS DESTROYERS IN RESERVES ELIMINATOR
The Eagles will face the Tigers next week in the 2021 Torrens University Cup Grand Final after accounting for the Bloods in their Preliminary Final at Thebarton Oval on Saturday afternoon. This was one that got away from the Bloods, who held the Eagles to 1.1 whilst kicking away to a 26-point quarter-time lead. West would be held down to just two behinds in the second term as the Eagles went into the half-time break with a five-point lead after they bagged 5.3. Inaccuracy in the Eagles camp would not be a problem in the second half, they ran rings around the Bloods to score 7.11 to 4.3 and run out 31-point winners. The Grand Final will kick off the Saturday Finals-fest at Adelaide Oval just after mid-day. Its a similar situation in the Reserves where the Eagles will also face the Tigers but in a 2nd Semi-Final after they defeated the Double Blues in their qualifier by 25 points. The first term would prove to be the game-breaker for the Eagles, who like the seniors are out to defend their title. They scored 5.2 to 1.1 to start and from there all they needed to do was answer every challenge which they did. A late Sturt challenge brought the gap back to 19 points but the damage was already done. The Blues will now face the Bulldogs, who took the hammer to the Bloods in their Elimination Final in their 70-point demolition. West kicked two goals in the opening term but then wouldn't find the big sticks again until the final term. Centrals were already well on their way by that time though, leaving the Bloods in their wake earlier with an ever increasing gap. The Reserves finals will be held at ACH Group Stadium at Glenelg from 11am this Saturday.
Saturday September 11 @ Thebarton Oval
U-18 PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Woodville-West Torrens 13.15 (93) def. West Adelaide 9.8 (62)
RESERVES ELIMINATION FINAL -- Central District 14.12 (96) def. West Adelaide 3.8 (26)
RESERVES QUALIFYING FINAL -- Woodville-West Torrens 14.6 (90) def. Sturt 10.5 (65)
TIGERS TAKE LEWIS TROPHY
The Glenelg Football Club has taken out the Stanley H. Lewis Trophy for 2021, with all three men's divisions finishing top of the pops. The U-18's finished the year with 15 wins, the Reserves with 16 and the League side on 17 wins, winning the minor premiership across the three as well. With this being their centenary season and the women's division taking out their inaugural SANFL-W premiership, there is still history to be written by the Tigers. The Eagles finished second in the running for the trophy, finishing second in all three divisions and on the Lewis ladder. Norwood came third despite finishing outside finals contention in the Reserves and U-18's, South in fourth position and North rounding out the top five.
Next weekend finals schedule...
Saturday September 18
RESERVES 2nd SEMI-FINAL
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens @ 11am
RESERVES 1st SEMI-FINAL
Sturt vs. Central District @ 1:30pm
ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg
U-18 TORRENS UNIVERSITY CUP GRAND FINAL
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens @ 12:10pm
LEAGUE 1st SEMI-FINAL
Norwood vs. South Adelaide @ 3:15pm
LEAGUE 2nd SEMI-FINAL
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens @ 7:15pm
Adelaide Oval
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
