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Premiership season 2006 - Round 16 Review

Total Crowd 10,694 (Avg 2,674)

Some people love a bit of controversy, it brings attention to their product. But it doesn't favour everybody, as one team found out this past weekend as a victory went begging because of an overly excited timekeeper. Is the SANFL about to have its own version of 'Siren-gate'? However, things like this sometimes blow over after a short time. There were three big-time blowouts as well, with one player bagging a ton to rocket himself to the top of the SANFL goalkickers ladder and send an ominous message to the rest of the competition regarding the one game in October. Still, there will be many saying to themselves, "Oh yeah, I've heard that from them before!"


So lets examine what happened in Round 16 in this edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up...

First it was off to Unley Oval as the Eagles took on the Double Blues in what would turn out to be one of the most darkest days in the history of the Sturt Football Club. In 12 minutes, the Eagles would have four goals without a miss until the Blues bagged one for themselves. But that was just the first 12 minutes as the Eagles kept them to 1.1 while they would romp away to 10.1 to lead by 54 points at quarter-time. Although some fighting spirit in the Blues showed in the second term, the Eagles were still in front by 39 points at half time. After that, the visitors just shoved the Blues aside. When play resumed, the Eagles smashed the Sturt defence to pieces for the rest of the day. They kicked 7.2 to Sturt's 2.3 in the third term, the golden boots of Mark Passador doing a ton of damage. In the final term, it was an absolute goal-fest for the Eagles once again, a replay of the opening term coming their way as they booted home 10.4 to Sturt's 2.1. Passador added 10 goals to his 2006 tally and was named best in the Eagles' 119 point demolition of the Double Blues. Greg Bentley was named best for Sturt.

The ABC Match of the Round was at the Alberton Oval, the Magpies would play host to the Roosters, who are, like the Eagles, carving a path toward finals action and looking for their fifth win in a row. A very close and goal-plentiful first term ensued, 16 scoring shots with just one miss. It would be the Roosters that would take a seven point lead into quarter time. But bad luck with injuries -- among them being forward Clive Waterhouse -- would have a hard impact on the home side, North proceeding to beat the weakened Magpies into submission with a 6.5 to 0.2 second quarter to lead by 46 points at half-time. Port would not have a say for the rest of the game, in the third term, the Roosters added a further 5.3 to Port's 2.3 to extend their lead to 64 points at the final change. Magpie on-baller Jeremy Clayton would leave the field early on in the final term and North's inaccurate shooting -- 3.5 to Port's 2.3 -- prevented a likely 100 point thrashing. Heath Younie celebrated his 100th game in style, a 74 point win to his Roosters. Luke Ivens was named best for North while Matt King was voted best afield for Port.

How much more caning can the Bloods take? Well... there was a lot more in store for them when they went to Glenelg Oval to play the Tigers. It looked as if the Westies boys finally found a little form when they outscored the home side 6.2 to 3.4 in the first term, but that wouldn't last as the Tigers turned the tables on the visitors to take out a seven point lead at the long break. It was a seven goal haul that did it, thanks to Justin McConnell, Brett Backwell and David Mitchell. It was almost a shootout in the third quarter as the Bloods tried desperately and valiantly to stay in touch, a mere two goal buffer going the Tigers way going into the final quarter. Again, the Bloods just lost the plot and the Tigers just ran with it and did not stop until the final siren. While the Bloods kicked a poor two points, the Tigers kicked 12.3 to finish the job, win by 85 points and take fifth position on the league ladder. McConnell kicked a quarter of Glenelg's goal tally and was named best on ground for the Tigers, while Jason Porplyzia was pushing for Crows selection with his efforts for West.

Finally we head to Coopers Stadium on The Parade, where the Redlegs faced the Bulldogs. This one would turn out to be probably the most thrilling clash of the season, if not one remembered for a small sore point which would eventuate later on. The Bulldogs would start off best, up by 13 points at quarter time, 5.2 to Norwood's 3.1. But the home side would not roll over today, while the Dogs sprayed several shots on goal the Redlegs bagged four without a miss to reduced the deficit to six points at half-time. When play resumed, again the Bulldogs would push the Redlegs away, but couldn't close the door on them. They got out to a 15 point lead at three quarter-time after kicking 4.2 to the 'Legs 3.3, but in the final change the Norwood spirit came to the fore. A desperation-fuelled game plan would pay dividends for the Redlegs, who snatched a two point win. Controversy would surround the final seconds where the timekeeper sounded the final siren a few seconds early while Centrals were deep into attack. After informing the umpires of the mistake and the following protests by Central's players, a restart occurred which would end the Bulldog fight. Matt Thomas was named best for Norwood, Justin Westhoff for Central.


FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 16 OF THE SANFL...

Saturday July 22
Woodville-West Torrens 31.7 (193)
Sturt 11.8 (74)
2,465 @ Unley Oval

North Adelaide 22.14 (146)
Port Adelaide 11.8 (74)
3,466 @ Alberton Oval

Glenelg 28.12 (180)
West Adelaide 14.11 (95)
2,206 @ Glenelg Oval

Norwood 13.7 (85)
Central District 12.11 (83)
2,557 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood

South Adelaide had the bye.


Injuries
W-WT -- Treeby (back), Powell (cut head)
Port -- Kingsley (calf), Waterhouse (hamstring), Morrison (fractured thumb), Biacsi (hamstring), J. Clayton (knee)
West -- Glover (hamstring)
Central -- Cowan (cork thigh), Hayes (cramp), McKenzie (cut head)


Next week in Round 17, its the SANFL's own heritage round... 70’s Weekend!

Saturday July 29
Woodville-West Torrens vs. West Adelaide; Woodville Oval
North Adelaide vs. Norwood; Prospect Oval
Central District vs. South Adelaide; Hamra Homes Oval, Elizabeth

Sunday July 30
Glenelg vs. Port Adelaide; Glenelg Oval

Sturt will have the bye.

So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!

R-16, Ladder

Team GP PTS %
NORTH 13 22 56.94
W-WT 14 22 56.77
CENT 14 16 52.20
PORT 14 16 50.80
GLEN 14 14 53.28
NORW 14 14 47.21
SOUTH 13 12 53.84
STURT 14 6 41.33
WEST 14 2 38.00

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.