Australian Football

Match Report

Next up we have the much anticipated match up between the minor premiers and the reigning premiers in the 2nd Semi-Final, the Tigers taking on the Eagles under a night sky. These two sides have never faced off in a 2nd Semi, so this was a first. The Tigers have never even faced the former Woodville or West Torrens sides in this match, though have encountered the Eagles in other finals games in league history. Of course the specialists in these games is the Magpies, who have played in 51 games for 28 wins. They also have the highest score with 24.20 from their 1980 premiership-winning year, while the lowest score of 2.5 is held jointly between the Redlegs (1988) and the Bloods (2012). The record margin in 74 points, shared by the Bloods and the Eagles. The record book will show that both occasions would lead to both sides winning premierships in 1983 and 1993 respectively. Whether this is a record or not I'm not sure, but the Bulldogs' run of 12 consecutive victories from 2000 to 2011 is also worth highlighting. That period would lead to nine premierships. More often than not, the winner of the 2nd Semi-Final is the best placed to take out the trophy. Since 1931, 54 of 81 winners have gone on to win the premiership. However the last six premiers have not come from successful 2nd Semi outings, which brings me to the records of these sides in this game. The Tigers have won only four 2nd Semi-Finals from 15 appearances, while the Eagles have played in 13 for a return of four victories. While Glenelg did rebound from their 2019 loss to Port -- and repay the favour two weeks later, no less -- the Eagles dropped their bundle in consecutive seasons. In 2015, it was West Adelaide, followed by the Double Blues in 2016. The Eagles beat them both in 2nd Semis, then watched as the flags elude them again and again a fortnight later.

This season had a similar lead-in like the earlier match, in that the Tigers had taken out both games this season. The Tigers that ran rampant this season was only in its infancy back in Round 2 when they won by 29 points at Brighton Road, they had a hell of a time finding the big sticks to begin with as they kicked 2.9 to 3.4 in the first half before bagging 11.4 to 6.4 in the second. By their next clash at Woodville in Round 12 they were a far more cohesive and polished outfit as they left Oval Avenue with a 19-point win. The Tigers finished the season with a loss to the Magpies, their AFL-listed contingent that was pressing for Power selection putting their aspirations of a perfect year on ice. The Eagles were made to work hard to put one past the Redlegs and early on it looked as though the Tigers were up for a fight after a week off. However by the quarter-time siren, the Eagles were in the ascendancy after dominating the time-on period. A late flurry saw the reigning champs up by 19 points, they scored 5.2 to 2.1 to start the night's proceedings. Neither side gave too much of an inch in the second term, although early on the Eagles were out to a 26-point lead, the Tigers cut that back. The Eagles fluffed a couple of good chances as well, scoring 2.3 to the Tigers' 3.1 as the gap was reduced to 15 points going into the half-time break. The Eagles hassled the absolute holy hell out of the Tigers, whose every move was placed under a high amount of pressure and almost every mistake punished. By the final change, their 4.3 to the Tigers' 2.1 would take their lead out to almost five goals come three quarter-time. The defending premiers were forced into full defensive posture in the final term as the Tigers finally woke up and made a last-ditch run. By the added time period, the Tigers had kicked six goals to the Eagles' single major, Glenelg up by a point going into time-on. Unfortunately, one last shot on goal for the Bays would go wide before the Eagles put through one last goal to win by four points and deny Glenelg the first Grand Final spot. 

James Tsitas was the Eagles best on ground, with 26 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles. For the Tigers, they named Matt Snook with 29 disposals, five tackles and seven clearances.