Australian Football

Round 20

Premiership season 2006 - Round 20 Review

Total Crowd 9,123 (Avg 2,281)

Centrals have the Tigers in their sights this coming weekend when they host their third night match in Bulldog territory. To the winner go the spoils of outright third spot on the SANFL ladder. This is only possible due to what happened in this past weekend's round of footy. SA footy heads were treated to some high scoring affairs, in total the goal count reached 156. Four teams, one of those on the losing end, all racked up over 20 goals each. Who says State League footy isn't skillful? I'd like to meet them... and show those fools what their missing!

Welcome to the Round 20 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.

First we go to Broadspectrum Oval, for the contest between the Magpies and the Bloods. Earlier on this season, the Bloods pulled off the upset of the year, beating the Magpies by 39 points. It looked like it could have been more hotly contested this time around with an even first quarter, it was goals a-plenty with the Bloods up by two points at the siren. But the Magpies weren't going to have a repeat of that nightmare match and proceeded to boot 10.4 to five goals to be up by 32 points at the long break. There were less goals in the third term, but the Magpies did extend their lead to 42 points after adding 4.3 to the home side's 2.5 at the final change. There wasn't going to be a comeback from West this day. The Magpies were rather wasteful in the final term, where they could have really buried the Bloods. The visitors booted 5.10 to West's 3.2. In a match that amassed 286 points, the Magpies won by 62 points, staying a game clear of their nearest rival on the ladder. Jeremy Clayton was outstanding for Port as always, he kicked six goals and was named best, while Ben Hollands was best afield for Westies.

The ABC Match of the Day was well picked for Round 20, the cameras were dispatched to the Glenelg Oval for the contest between the Tigers and the Roosters. Over 3000 fans were about to be treated to a real spectacle, starting out with the Roosters taking a two point lead to close off the first term, 6.5 to 6.3. The visitors would then extend that lead to 15 points in a second term shootout, the Roosters kicking 8.4 to Glenelg's 6.3 to finish the first half. After the long break, the Tigers came back with larger claws on, keeping the Roosters to 2.4 while they bagged seven straight goals without a miss in the third term to be up by 11 points at the last change. The final term was a heartstopper for both sides, the Roosters inaccurate shots outnumbering those that landed true. But it was those botched shots that saw North into the lead. The final shot on goal by the Tigers went wide and that was all she wrote. North winning the match by four points. Heath Younie was voted best on ground for the Roosters, while Brett Backwell was tireless in his efforts for Glenelg. In the goal scorers department, Ian Perrie bagged six, while Clint Alleway and Danny Hargraves kicked five each.

Over at the Unley Oval, the first outing for caretaker coach Brodie Atkinson was going to be one to forget as his Double Blues came under attack by a ravenous Panther outfit. South went on the attack right away, kicking 9.4 to 4.3 to be up by 31 points at quarter time. In a rather average second term by both sides, the Panthers extended their lead to 33 points for the long break after adding 4.1 to Sturt's 3.5. Undisciplined play by Sturt cost them dearly all day, they racked up 10 -- that's right, 10 -- 25m penalties, six of those handing South goals! When play resumed, the Panthers got back to their destructive ways, slicing a path through the limp Sturt defence to boot 12 goals to one. At three quarter-time, the margin blew out to 108 points. The Panthers didn't need to do much more to humiliate the home side, they took the foot off the gas and cruised to a 107 point victory. Denis Iljcesen was hot property in goal, he booted seven for his day. Alwyn Davey was named best for South, Jade Sheedy for Sturt.

The next day at the Woodville Oval, likely minor premiers the Eagles took on the seventh placed Redlegs. Everybody would be forgiven for thinking that the Eagles would just cruise away, given their form lately. But they found themselves a goal down at quarter time. The visitors looked the goods up until half way through the second term, when they were up by five goals. But the Eagles would proceed to boot 12 unanswered goals, beginning in that second quarter and going well into the third. At half time, they were still behind by four points, but at three-quarter time the Eagles were up by 44 points! Norwood fans couldn't believe it, their men blowing yet another match winning lead, a sight becoming very familiar for them in Season 2006. The Eagles were outscored again in the final term, but only by four points. It didn't make a difference, the Eagles winning by 40 points. Matt Cooper was named best for the Eagles, while Brett Zorzi's attitude got him best afield votes for Norwood.

FINAL SCORES FROM ROUND 20 OF THE SANFL

Saturday August 19
Port Adelaide 26.18 (174)
West Adelaide 17.10 (112)
1,826 @ Broadspectrum Oval, Richmond

North Adelaide 21.20 (146)
Glenelg 22.10 (142)
3,076 @ Glenelg Oval

South Adelaide 29.12 (186)
Sturt 11.13 (79)
1,731 @ Unley Oval

Sunday August 20
Woodville-West Torrens 18.14 (122)
Norwood 12.10 (82)
Woodville Oval -- Crowd number not available at time of post.

Central District had the bye.


Injuries
West -- Bricknell (groin), Jaques (cut head), Hamblin (concussion)
Glenelg -- Mitchell (knock to eye)
North -- Hargraves (eye)
Sturt -- Colreavy (knee)
W-WT -- Salter (quad)
Norwood -- Vlatko (quad), Bryce Campbell (ankle)

Reports
West -- Haynes (headbutting)
Glenelg -- Ruwoldt (tripping)


Next week in Round 21...

Saturday August 26
Port Adelaide vs. Sturt; Alberton Oval
North Adelaide vs. South Adelaide; Prospect Oval
Norwood vs. West Adelaide; Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Central District vs. Glenelg; Hamra Homes Oval, Elizabeth—Night match

Woodville-West Torrens have the bye.

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

R-20, Ladder