- May 8, 2001
- 5,667
- 818
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
Last weekend the Bulldogs dumped the Magpies from the SANFL premiership hunt, coupled with the Power's AFL Qualifying Final loss in Brisbane it was truly a fortnight to forget for the Port faithful. But then came the follow-up, the Crows giving Sturt the blues in their Qualifying Final much to the chagrin of many hardcore SA footy-heads. It came as a bit of a shock for the traditional SANFL supporters when the seemingly in control Double Blues saw it all go so horribly south as the Crows gradually reeled them back in, many were throwing their support behind the Blues with a lot of continued animosity toward the AFL club. That being said however, we now come into the second week of the race for the premiership, the Tigers come off the sidelines after their well earned opening week off to make their presence known in their pursuit of a sixth premiership. In their way are the Crows, still chasing their first state league title in their 10-season history. Then of course there's the continuing question of who will come out of the sudden-death zone... will the Blues repeated drop offs cost them dearly, or is the Bulldogs luck about to run out? The race for the flag and the Thomas Seymour-Hill Trophy continues.
Welcome to the Week 2 edition of the SANFL Finals Wrap-Up.
We're back at the Adelaide Oval once more as the Double Blues met the Bulldogs in the 1st Semi-Final. The Blues took out both games during the minor round, though on both occasions were results decided by less than a kick. In Round 4 at Unley, the Dogs were the more efficient in the first half, but in a complete reversal of roles they went from 15 points up at half-time to a three-point defeat after being outgunned in the second half. The next time at the Ponderosa in Round 16, the Bulldogs again got caught short in the second half after dominating much of the game. The Blues horrid shooting saw them kick 4.11 over three quarters, but then after a seven minute stoppage early in the final term, the Blues stormed home for a four-point victory. These sides have met in two previous 1st Semi-Finals, the most recent was back in 2017 as the Blues defeated the Dogs by seven points on their way to back-to-back flags. That was in contrast to their other meeting back in 1971 where the Bulldogs made three points of history. A first finals appearance, a first up win against the Blues in any kind of seasonal match and bringing an end to the Blues' five-year premiership run. The best victory record in 1st Semi-Finals goes to the Redlegs with 15 victories, though they have been bounced more times than any other team with 21 losses. There have been two drawn games, the 'Legs featuring in one of those back in 1933 and winning the re-match. Sturt have featured in 23 games, winning 13 of them, while the Dogs have a 50% record from 10 appearances. Most recent ones include the Blues' unsuccessful 2018 premiership defence ended by the eventual premiers in North Adelaide, while the Bulldogs loss against Sturt in 2017 was preceeded by a win against the Magpies in 2015.
The Blues' loss to the Crows last weekend saw a couple of players on the wrong end of either the umpires or injuries and some key outs would result, while the Bulldogs' line up that eliminated the Magpies was largely unchanged. The Blues still had a bit of a psychological edge after the two closely fought battles during the year no doubt biting the Centrals mob more than a bit. But of course, their last quarter fade out against Adelaide was probably being analysed at length by Paul Thomas and his crew. The Blues were all over the Dogs in the early goings, a couple of missed chances from the Blues kept the fight close. One last chance to the Dogs late in the opening term was particularly annoying to the Centrals end-to-ender faithful, the board would have the Blues up by seven points at quarter-time, reading 3.2 to 2.1. Centrals upped the pressure in the second term and they could well have inflicted more damage but their shooting was well off the mark compared to their efforts against the 'Pies. Their last three chances were all behinds, but they did go into the half-time break with a three point lead after scoring 3.6 to 2.2. The Doggies managed to bag the first major of the third quarter, but would then have to wait another nine minutes before the next as the Blues' possession-based movement was starting to pay their dividends. Sturt were more patient in their play, but were still putting several shots wide and thus allowing the Dogs to stay well within reach at the final change. Another last minute chance to Centrals went begging, they would find themselves down by four points at three quarter-time after the Blues managed 3.3 to 2.2. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their fight was finished right there. Their one and only goal came at the closing moments of the game, the Blues absolutely dominating the final quarter with their return of 5.4 to book their Preliminary Final spot with a 32-point win. Tom Lewis was a machine for the Blues, nabbing best afield honours with 21 disposals and 15 tackles. The duo of James Battersby and Jared Dakin made up almost a third of Sturt's clearance count with 16 between them, while Connor McFadyen booted four goals. The Bulldogs' best was Harry Grant with 24 disposals, six marks and five tackles. Kyle Presbury had 10 tackles to his name and Jarrod Schiller made six of his own.
Now its onto the 2nd Semi-Final and to decide the first entrant into this year's Grand Final, the minor premiers in the Tigers taking on the Crows. These sides traded victories against one another during their pair of encounters at Brighton Road this year, the Tigers taking out the Round 8 fixture by just two points, then the Crows in the Round 13 match by 20 points. In the earlier match, the Tigers recovered their accuracy in the second half after squandering a swag of chances in the second quarter, outscoring Adelaide seven goals to five. But the Crows returned the favour in the next outing, though if not for a drop in intensity in the final term could have blown the game apart. In finals football, they have met only once. That being the 2019 Preliminary Final in which Glenelg won by 27 points on their way to the premiership. The Crows first and only appearance in the 2nd Semi was last season in a loss to the Roosters. Glenelg have played in 16, with a disappointing 25% success record. That said, they have rebounded on three of those occasions to take out the trophy in 1934, 1986 and 2019. The Magpies still hold the record for most appearances with 51 games, 28 of them victories. The highest number of goals kicked is shared between the 'Pies and the Bloods with 24 majors, but Port's 24.20 kicked in the 1980 edition is the current overall scoring record in 2nd Semis. Centrals' run of wins during their dominant period forms part of the next best win-loss record, their two losses prior to the 2000's the only blemishes on the 15 appearances they have made.
The Tigers hierarchy were likely watching the game between the Crows and the Double Blues last week, the Round 13 loss and a Round 17 defeat from the Eagles probably sounding some little alarm bells despite a dominant finish to the year against South. Adelaide's win last week was preceded by a pre-finals loss to the Redlegs, so it probably wouldn't have been strange to see Glenelg spies at The Parade either. The first quarter was a goal-fest with both sides bagging five goals each, though the Crows' inability to retain a 19-point lead prior to time-on was concerning for their faithful. A pair of missed chances by the Crows made up the difference at quarter-time, they would lead by just two points. Adelaide kicked the first couple of majors in the second term, but still couldn't break away from the minor premiers. There were a pair of missed chances late on by the Tigers that sandwiched the last goal for the first half, said behinds would see the scores tied going into the changerooms at the long break. Glenelg kicked 2.4 to Adelaide's 2.2, scores were 46 points each at half-time. If the third term is traditionally called the premiership quarter, then the Tigers' dominant showing in said quarter should speak volumes of their premiership credentials as they left the Crows wanting, holding them to a lowly single behind. Glenelg went on to kick five unanswered goals along with three behinds, taking the lead for the first time since the seventh minute of the first quarter. They went into the final change with a 32-point advantage. And that is the way it finished, the Tigers advancing to the Grand Final as they matched everything Adelaide threw at them in the last quarter, both sides scoring 4.1 each. In the best afield department, Glenelg named Matt Snook with his 25 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles. Lachlan Hosie and Liam McBean each kicked three goals, while Brett Turner was a handy all-rounder with two goals along with seven tackles and clearances. Sam Berry was Adelaide's best on ground, with 23 disposals, 12 tackles and eight clearances. Jackson Hately was no slouch either with a dozen tackles of his own, while Brayden Cook and Lachlan Gollant combined for six goals.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK 2 OF SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 10
1st SEMI-FINAL
Sturt 13.11 (89)
Central District 8.9 (57)
2nd SEMI-FINAL
Glenelg 16.8 (104)
Adelaide 11.6 (72)
10,438 @ Adelaide Oval
RESERVES FINALS -- Tigers fightback, Eagles swoop the Dogs
Centrals seniors weren't alone in their finals elimination, their reserves were also turfed from finals action at the hands of the Eagles in their 1st Semi-Final at Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg on Saturday. Most of the damage was done in the first half, they were just 11 points down at quarter-time, but that gap would be tripled by the long break after the Eagles kicked five goals without a miss to the Dogs' single major. Centrals did outscore the Eagles in the second half, but thanks to a raft of missed opportunities in contrast to a perceived superior efficiency on goal -- Eagles' 14 scores to Centrals' 17 -- they would fall short by two goals to make a straight sets exit. The Eagles will now face the Double Blues at Thebarton Oval next Sunday, after Sturt went down to the minor premiers of Glenelg in their 2nd Semi-Final that kicked off before the eliminator. The Blues led by four goals at the long break, but after managing just one goal in the third term, the Tigers slowly but surely overran them with six goals -- five of them unanswered -- to join their seniors at the big dance in two Sunday's time at the Oval. The Blues could make it a double encounter with the Tigers if they can deny the Eagles next Sunday, along with the league side against the Crows.
1st SEMI-FINAL -- Woodville-West Torrens 12.2 (74) def. Central District
2nd SEMI-FINAL -- Glenelg 11.14 (80) def. Sturt 10.8 (68)
UNDER-AGE FINALS -- Bulldogs pups hammer Bloods, colts given the Blues
The Bulldogs U-16's are into this year's Grand Final, however their U-18's have much to ponder after their respective Preliminary Finals at X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth on Saturday. The Centrals pups began by keeping the Bloods to just one behind in the opening term, scoring 3.1 for themselves to lead by 18 points at quarter-time. Westies did rally in the second quarter to bring the gap back to a point by the long break, but by the final change the writing was on the wall for the red & black. They kicked just 1.4 in the second half while the Bulldogs romped away with the game, kicking 8.5 to run out 44-point winners. A second bite at the Blues now awaits them, but for their U-18's outfit it was pure desolation at the hands of Sturt. The Blues were dominant early, but a trio of missed chances would have them up by 15 points at the first change instead of perhaps an early six-kick lead. Centrals brought that down to seven points early in the second term, but that was about as close as they got for the whole day as the Blues proceeded to kick eight of the next 11 goals, booking their spot in next week's premiership decider against South Adelaide, winning by 45 points. Both Grand Finals will be part of the match programme at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
U-16 PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Central District 13.8 (86) def. West Adelaide 6.6 (42)
U-18 PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Sturt 11.9 (75) def. Central District 4.6 (30)
Next weekend in Week 3 of the SANFL Finals...
Saturday September 16 @ 11:20am
RESERVES PRELIMINARY FINAL
Sturt vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Thebarton Oval
Sunday September 17 @ Adelaide Oval
TORRENS UNIVERSITY U-16 GRAND FINAL
Sturt vs. Central District; 9:20am
TORRENS UNIVERSITY U-18 GRAND FINAL
South Adelaide vs. Sturt; 12pm
LEAGUE PRELIMINARY FINAL
Adelaide vs. Sturt; 3:15pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
Last weekend the Bulldogs dumped the Magpies from the SANFL premiership hunt, coupled with the Power's AFL Qualifying Final loss in Brisbane it was truly a fortnight to forget for the Port faithful. But then came the follow-up, the Crows giving Sturt the blues in their Qualifying Final much to the chagrin of many hardcore SA footy-heads. It came as a bit of a shock for the traditional SANFL supporters when the seemingly in control Double Blues saw it all go so horribly south as the Crows gradually reeled them back in, many were throwing their support behind the Blues with a lot of continued animosity toward the AFL club. That being said however, we now come into the second week of the race for the premiership, the Tigers come off the sidelines after their well earned opening week off to make their presence known in their pursuit of a sixth premiership. In their way are the Crows, still chasing their first state league title in their 10-season history. Then of course there's the continuing question of who will come out of the sudden-death zone... will the Blues repeated drop offs cost them dearly, or is the Bulldogs luck about to run out? The race for the flag and the Thomas Seymour-Hill Trophy continues.
Welcome to the Week 2 edition of the SANFL Finals Wrap-Up.
We're back at the Adelaide Oval once more as the Double Blues met the Bulldogs in the 1st Semi-Final. The Blues took out both games during the minor round, though on both occasions were results decided by less than a kick. In Round 4 at Unley, the Dogs were the more efficient in the first half, but in a complete reversal of roles they went from 15 points up at half-time to a three-point defeat after being outgunned in the second half. The next time at the Ponderosa in Round 16, the Bulldogs again got caught short in the second half after dominating much of the game. The Blues horrid shooting saw them kick 4.11 over three quarters, but then after a seven minute stoppage early in the final term, the Blues stormed home for a four-point victory. These sides have met in two previous 1st Semi-Finals, the most recent was back in 2017 as the Blues defeated the Dogs by seven points on their way to back-to-back flags. That was in contrast to their other meeting back in 1971 where the Bulldogs made three points of history. A first finals appearance, a first up win against the Blues in any kind of seasonal match and bringing an end to the Blues' five-year premiership run. The best victory record in 1st Semi-Finals goes to the Redlegs with 15 victories, though they have been bounced more times than any other team with 21 losses. There have been two drawn games, the 'Legs featuring in one of those back in 1933 and winning the re-match. Sturt have featured in 23 games, winning 13 of them, while the Dogs have a 50% record from 10 appearances. Most recent ones include the Blues' unsuccessful 2018 premiership defence ended by the eventual premiers in North Adelaide, while the Bulldogs loss against Sturt in 2017 was preceeded by a win against the Magpies in 2015.
The Blues' loss to the Crows last weekend saw a couple of players on the wrong end of either the umpires or injuries and some key outs would result, while the Bulldogs' line up that eliminated the Magpies was largely unchanged. The Blues still had a bit of a psychological edge after the two closely fought battles during the year no doubt biting the Centrals mob more than a bit. But of course, their last quarter fade out against Adelaide was probably being analysed at length by Paul Thomas and his crew. The Blues were all over the Dogs in the early goings, a couple of missed chances from the Blues kept the fight close. One last chance to the Dogs late in the opening term was particularly annoying to the Centrals end-to-ender faithful, the board would have the Blues up by seven points at quarter-time, reading 3.2 to 2.1. Centrals upped the pressure in the second term and they could well have inflicted more damage but their shooting was well off the mark compared to their efforts against the 'Pies. Their last three chances were all behinds, but they did go into the half-time break with a three point lead after scoring 3.6 to 2.2. The Doggies managed to bag the first major of the third quarter, but would then have to wait another nine minutes before the next as the Blues' possession-based movement was starting to pay their dividends. Sturt were more patient in their play, but were still putting several shots wide and thus allowing the Dogs to stay well within reach at the final change. Another last minute chance to Centrals went begging, they would find themselves down by four points at three quarter-time after the Blues managed 3.3 to 2.2. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their fight was finished right there. Their one and only goal came at the closing moments of the game, the Blues absolutely dominating the final quarter with their return of 5.4 to book their Preliminary Final spot with a 32-point win. Tom Lewis was a machine for the Blues, nabbing best afield honours with 21 disposals and 15 tackles. The duo of James Battersby and Jared Dakin made up almost a third of Sturt's clearance count with 16 between them, while Connor McFadyen booted four goals. The Bulldogs' best was Harry Grant with 24 disposals, six marks and five tackles. Kyle Presbury had 10 tackles to his name and Jarrod Schiller made six of his own.
Now its onto the 2nd Semi-Final and to decide the first entrant into this year's Grand Final, the minor premiers in the Tigers taking on the Crows. These sides traded victories against one another during their pair of encounters at Brighton Road this year, the Tigers taking out the Round 8 fixture by just two points, then the Crows in the Round 13 match by 20 points. In the earlier match, the Tigers recovered their accuracy in the second half after squandering a swag of chances in the second quarter, outscoring Adelaide seven goals to five. But the Crows returned the favour in the next outing, though if not for a drop in intensity in the final term could have blown the game apart. In finals football, they have met only once. That being the 2019 Preliminary Final in which Glenelg won by 27 points on their way to the premiership. The Crows first and only appearance in the 2nd Semi was last season in a loss to the Roosters. Glenelg have played in 16, with a disappointing 25% success record. That said, they have rebounded on three of those occasions to take out the trophy in 1934, 1986 and 2019. The Magpies still hold the record for most appearances with 51 games, 28 of them victories. The highest number of goals kicked is shared between the 'Pies and the Bloods with 24 majors, but Port's 24.20 kicked in the 1980 edition is the current overall scoring record in 2nd Semis. Centrals' run of wins during their dominant period forms part of the next best win-loss record, their two losses prior to the 2000's the only blemishes on the 15 appearances they have made.
The Tigers hierarchy were likely watching the game between the Crows and the Double Blues last week, the Round 13 loss and a Round 17 defeat from the Eagles probably sounding some little alarm bells despite a dominant finish to the year against South. Adelaide's win last week was preceded by a pre-finals loss to the Redlegs, so it probably wouldn't have been strange to see Glenelg spies at The Parade either. The first quarter was a goal-fest with both sides bagging five goals each, though the Crows' inability to retain a 19-point lead prior to time-on was concerning for their faithful. A pair of missed chances by the Crows made up the difference at quarter-time, they would lead by just two points. Adelaide kicked the first couple of majors in the second term, but still couldn't break away from the minor premiers. There were a pair of missed chances late on by the Tigers that sandwiched the last goal for the first half, said behinds would see the scores tied going into the changerooms at the long break. Glenelg kicked 2.4 to Adelaide's 2.2, scores were 46 points each at half-time. If the third term is traditionally called the premiership quarter, then the Tigers' dominant showing in said quarter should speak volumes of their premiership credentials as they left the Crows wanting, holding them to a lowly single behind. Glenelg went on to kick five unanswered goals along with three behinds, taking the lead for the first time since the seventh minute of the first quarter. They went into the final change with a 32-point advantage. And that is the way it finished, the Tigers advancing to the Grand Final as they matched everything Adelaide threw at them in the last quarter, both sides scoring 4.1 each. In the best afield department, Glenelg named Matt Snook with his 25 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles. Lachlan Hosie and Liam McBean each kicked three goals, while Brett Turner was a handy all-rounder with two goals along with seven tackles and clearances. Sam Berry was Adelaide's best on ground, with 23 disposals, 12 tackles and eight clearances. Jackson Hately was no slouch either with a dozen tackles of his own, while Brayden Cook and Lachlan Gollant combined for six goals.
FINAL SCORES IN WEEK 2 OF SANFL FINALS...
Sunday September 10
1st SEMI-FINAL
Sturt 13.11 (89)
Central District 8.9 (57)
2nd SEMI-FINAL
Glenelg 16.8 (104)
Adelaide 11.6 (72)
10,438 @ Adelaide Oval
RESERVES FINALS -- Tigers fightback, Eagles swoop the Dogs
Centrals seniors weren't alone in their finals elimination, their reserves were also turfed from finals action at the hands of the Eagles in their 1st Semi-Final at Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg on Saturday. Most of the damage was done in the first half, they were just 11 points down at quarter-time, but that gap would be tripled by the long break after the Eagles kicked five goals without a miss to the Dogs' single major. Centrals did outscore the Eagles in the second half, but thanks to a raft of missed opportunities in contrast to a perceived superior efficiency on goal -- Eagles' 14 scores to Centrals' 17 -- they would fall short by two goals to make a straight sets exit. The Eagles will now face the Double Blues at Thebarton Oval next Sunday, after Sturt went down to the minor premiers of Glenelg in their 2nd Semi-Final that kicked off before the eliminator. The Blues led by four goals at the long break, but after managing just one goal in the third term, the Tigers slowly but surely overran them with six goals -- five of them unanswered -- to join their seniors at the big dance in two Sunday's time at the Oval. The Blues could make it a double encounter with the Tigers if they can deny the Eagles next Sunday, along with the league side against the Crows.
1st SEMI-FINAL -- Woodville-West Torrens 12.2 (74) def. Central District
2nd SEMI-FINAL -- Glenelg 11.14 (80) def. Sturt 10.8 (68)
UNDER-AGE FINALS -- Bulldogs pups hammer Bloods, colts given the Blues
The Bulldogs U-16's are into this year's Grand Final, however their U-18's have much to ponder after their respective Preliminary Finals at X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth on Saturday. The Centrals pups began by keeping the Bloods to just one behind in the opening term, scoring 3.1 for themselves to lead by 18 points at quarter-time. Westies did rally in the second quarter to bring the gap back to a point by the long break, but by the final change the writing was on the wall for the red & black. They kicked just 1.4 in the second half while the Bulldogs romped away with the game, kicking 8.5 to run out 44-point winners. A second bite at the Blues now awaits them, but for their U-18's outfit it was pure desolation at the hands of Sturt. The Blues were dominant early, but a trio of missed chances would have them up by 15 points at the first change instead of perhaps an early six-kick lead. Centrals brought that down to seven points early in the second term, but that was about as close as they got for the whole day as the Blues proceeded to kick eight of the next 11 goals, booking their spot in next week's premiership decider against South Adelaide, winning by 45 points. Both Grand Finals will be part of the match programme at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
U-16 PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Central District 13.8 (86) def. West Adelaide 6.6 (42)
U-18 PRELIMINARY FINAL -- Sturt 11.9 (75) def. Central District 4.6 (30)
Next weekend in Week 3 of the SANFL Finals...
Saturday September 16 @ 11:20am
RESERVES PRELIMINARY FINAL
Sturt vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Thebarton Oval
Sunday September 17 @ Adelaide Oval
TORRENS UNIVERSITY U-16 GRAND FINAL
Sturt vs. Central District; 9:20am
TORRENS UNIVERSITY U-18 GRAND FINAL
South Adelaide vs. Sturt; 12pm
LEAGUE PRELIMINARY FINAL
Adelaide vs. Sturt; 3:15pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
