Australian Football

Hi Footy fans...

Last year, the bulk of Australia was lucky enough to have observed the traditions of Anzac Day. Only weeks later however, a good deal of the country was once again under a COVID cloud. But fortune has, by large, smiled on us all and things are truly starting to feel normal again. The streets were alive with the sounds of marching bands, the night skies were brightened with the flames of remembrance at dawn services and of course, the most Australian tradition of all. Yes, we raised a glass to those that made that sacrifice, remembered them with reverance and then commemorated the freedoms that they fought for in the most Aussie way we know... with our indigenous game. There were games across the weekend and all over town. From the inner north to the outer north, from one side of Port Road to the other, even as far away as Port Lincoln. The Anzac spirit was truly alive after a couple of years of uncertainty and low-key observation. For those who fought, those who came back and those that did not, for those that fight today, from all South Australians and especially us SA footy-heads... we salute you.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. Lest we forget."

We begin the wrap this week with the first of two Saturday afternoon games, it's off to the Prospect Oval for the SANFL's "Civil War" between north and south, the Roosters against the Panthers. Last season's home and away games saw the spoils shared, interestingly it was the visiting side that would take the points. In Round 2 at Menzies Crescent, the Panthers won by 11 points on the back of a seven-goal third term, but then at Noarlunga in Round 17 the Roosters gave South a 58-point bath. The story of 2021 between these two didn't end there though, the Panthers repaying that last favour by bouncing the Roosters out of the finals with a 43-point Elimination Final victory. Coming into this match, North recovered from a slow start first term to down the Dogs at home, while the Panthers were pipped at the post by a single kick at Noarlunga by the Blues. South were going to have a difficult start to this game, held to three behinds in the opening term. North weren't getting to far ahead though, scoring just 2.1 to lead by 10 points at quarter-time. The Panthers would still not find the big sticks in the second term as the Roosters turned up the heat a little. North would kick 4.3 to a lowly two behinds as they went into the rooms with a 35-point lead at the half-time break. South would finally get into gear when play resumed, they found the sticks and kept the Roosters to just a single major in the third quarter as they managed to score 4.3 and bring themselves back to within three straight kicks. At three quarter-time, the Roosters held a 14-point lead. The visitors kept on coming in the final quarter, but many shots from both sides were coming up short with a raft of missed opportunities. The Roosters were forced into full defensive posture, a wall which held up in the end as they held on for an 11-point win after scoring 1.7 to South's 2.4. Playing just his ninth match for the Roosters, young gun Harrison Magor was named their best with 33 disposals and 11 marks, while the Panthers named Oliver Davis as their best with 32 disposals, 11 marks and five clearances.

The second Saturday match sends us further north to the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth where the Bulldogs hosted the Crows. Last season's points between these two sides were shared, with the Crows taking out the Round 4 game by 23 points but then dropped the later game, the Dogs returning fire in one of their few hurrahs in 2021 with a 33-point triumph. The early season game actually had the Dogs get within two points of the lead in the final term before the Crows pulled away, while in the later match showed far more fight. Last weekend saw both sides dealt losses, with the Dogs going down to the Roosters at Prospect and the Crows dropping their first match of the season against the Tigers. The Dogs started off the way they did against North last week, with a fine opening term of 5.2 to the Crows 2.1 to lead by 19 points at the first change. But once again they dropped their guard in the following period and despite their inaccuracy, the Crows drew the gap back to within a kick by the long break. Adelaide scored 4.7 to Centrals' 2.2, the home side's lead down to just two points at half-time. The Bulldogs were dominating the clearances, but the hitouts from the centre were all Adelaide. Centrals also failed to capitalise on a few prime chances, none more important than a wasteful third quarter in which they had more attacking forays but came back with a return of 2.5 while the Crows scored 4.1 to take over the lead. At three quarter-time, the Crows were now ahead by a goal. That was as close as the home side would get to the Crows, who slowly but surely put their lead beyond the Dogs' reach. Adelaide's accuracy was still well off, something they'll need to work on ahead of their clash with South next week. They finished with a 4.8 to 2.1 final term, running out 25-point victors. Luke Pedlar was named Adelaide's best, with 23 disposals, two goals and five tackles. For the Bulldogs, it was Travis Schiller with 32 disposals, nine marks and nine tackles.

The footballing weekend extended into the Sunday afternoon and brought some renewed hostilities between two old enemies at the Alberton Oval when the Magpies took on the Double Blues. The Magpies weren't having any luck against the Blues last season, losing both games in Round 11 and 17. The 'Pies hit the board first at Alberton, but were then overrun by the hungrier Blues outfit that left the Queen Street nest with a 41-point win. Then at Unley later in the year, the Blues withstood a final term comeback after almost giving up a 40-point advantage to win by four goals. Try as they did, the Magpies couldn't put one over chief rivals Norwood at The Parade last week, but the Blues were three-goal winners down at Noarlunga. COVID health and safety protocols saw a trio of late withdrawals from the Blues this week, that was in addition to another three earlier in the week. The impact of those omissions would hurt the Blues somewhat, but would be in the lead come quarter-time after an arm-wrestle contest opened proceedings. A late goal to Sturt would see them up by two points with the scoreboard reading 2.3 to 2.1. A pair of missed shots by the Magpies would allow the Blues to stay in front at the long break, their lead extended to a pair of straight shots. Port kicked 2.4 to Sturt's 3.1 as the deficit reached nine points for the visitors, but not before a pitch invader bore the wrath of a Magpie and then security. The shoe was definitely on the other foot when play resumed, suddenly it was the Blues finding it hard to put the Burley through their big sticks as they scored 1.3 in the third term. The Magpies made more of their chances this time, going into the final quarter with a goal's lead after scoring 3.2. The depleted Blues, however, found another gear in the final term. They would hold the home side to just one behind whilst scoring 3.2 for themselves re-take the lead and consequently, the ball game by 13 points. Patrick Wilson was once again named Sturt's best, with 32 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances. The Magpies voted in Xavier Duursma with 27 disposals, six tackles and five clearances.

In the other Sunday afternoon match, we're heading far out of the Adelaide metro and to the West Coast of South Australia, the Redlegs facing the Bloods at the Centenary Oval in Port Lincoln. The Bloods did manage to get some joy last year, one of those victories was at the 'Legs expense. That was in Round 4 at Richmond when Westies nabbed a three-goal win. But the bill came due in Round 17, when the Redlegs won by 29 points at Norwood. That second game, whilst a victory for the 'Legs, was a shocker in front of the sticks as Norwood scored nine goals from 24 scores. The Redlegs came out winners against the old enemy in Port Adelaide by 16 points at home last weekend, while it was business as usual for the Bloods, who couldn't take advantage of a wayward reigning premier at Woodville. This was the Redlegs' first visit to their recruiting zone, which they acquired in the division of the Magpies' country zone assets back in 2014. The Bloods would have to do with Adam Hartlett as acting coach after Brad Gotch was kept at home for health and safety protocols. While the Bloods were more polished in goal, kicking three goals wihtout a miss in the opening term, the Redlegs would pepper their goal for a return of 5.5 and take a 17-point lead at the first change. The second term was not as goal-plentiful with both sides struggling to make some scoreboard impact. They both kicked two goals, Norwood's four behinds to Westies' two saw the deficit creep out to 19 points by the half-time break. The "home" side turned it on for the second half and soon enough the Bloods would be left in the dust ahead of a long trip home. Norwood blew the gap out to eight goals by the final change, scoring 7.1 to 2.2 in the third term. Their first match for premiership points in their country zone would be a success and a percentage booster as well, the Redlegs finishing the Bloods off with a 5.3 to 2.1 final term to run out 68-point winners. Matthew Nunn was the king of the field this week, named best for Norwood with his 35 disposals, two goals, eight marks and seven clearances. The Bloods named Josh Carmichael as their standout with 25 disposals, four tackles and four clearances.

The final engagement to close out the round brings us back city-side and up Port Road as far as Woodville for the Anzac Day Battle, the Grand Final re-match between the Eagles and the Tigers at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval. The Tigers were victorious in both their home and away series matches, starting with a 29-point win at Brighton Road in Round 2, followed by a 19-point win in Round 12 at Woodville. The Tigers were well on track for September success, though their last round loss to Port was perhaps an omen of what was to come. The Eagles came calling for the 2021 minor premiers two weeks after that final round defeat, winning by four points. The final nail in the Glenelg coffin came quickly in the Grand Final, already over by three quarter-time as the Tigers capitulated to the Eagles by just over 11 goals. Coming into this match, the Tigers' defeat of Adelaide kept their thus far undefeated season intact while the Eagles horrid kicking wasn't enough to stop them winning against West. The Eagles were still without a few of their premiership players, but since their defeat in Round 1 have managed quite well. The Tigers had most of the attack in the opening quarter, but the Eagles' defence was quite solid early. A late Eagles goal allowed them to stay just one point adrift at quarter-time, with the board reading 2.2 to 2.1. The second term was much more lively, but the roles were somewhat reversed with the Eagles dominating most of the quarter up until 15 minutes in when the Tigers got going again. At half-time, the Bays led by seven points after a 4.1 to 3.1 score tally. A couple of late third quarter goals to the Tigers opened up their lead to 19 points by three quarter-time, the Eagles dropping their guard again after levelling the scores eight minutes in. Glenelg scored 5.1 to the Eagles' 3.1 in that quarter. The final stanza proved to be a nail biter as the Eagles made their last ditch moves, again levelling scores mid-way through the term. They even crept into the lead two minutes into injury time, having scored 4.4 to 3.1. But a hero emerged for the Tigers just short of 28 minutes, youngster Reid Kuller delivering one last major to steal the game for the visitors by five points. Sam Durdin was best for Glenelg, netting the Bob Quinn Medal with his 22 disposals and 11 marks. The Eagles would name Riley Knight as their best afield, with 33 disposals, nine tackles and eight clearances.

FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 4 OF THE SANFL...

Saturday April 23

North Adelaide 8.11 (59)

South Adelaide 6.12 (48)

1,584 @ Prospect Oval

Adelaide 14.17 (101)

Central District 11.10 (76)

1,282 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth

Sunday April 24

Sturt 9.9 (63)

Port Adelaide 7.8 (50)

2,221 @ Alberton Oval

Norwood 19.13 (127)

West Adelaide 9.5 (59)

1,178 @ Centenary Oval, Port Lincoln

Monday April 25

ANZAC DAY BATTLE

Glenelg 13.6 (84)

Woodville-West Torrens 12.7 (79)

2,623 @ Maugham Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville

INJURIES

West -- Hartlett (hamstring)

W-WT -- Lonergan (shoulder)

REPORTS

North -- Ramsey (rough conduct)

Adelaide -- Harry Schoenberg, Darcy Fogarty & Louis Sharrad (melee)

Central -- Blake Launer, Matthew Neagle, Billy Illes, Ryan Llewellyn & Aiden Grace (melee)

LEAGUE LADDER

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Glenelg -- 8pts (4-0-0), 53.3%

Adelaide -- 6pts (3-1-0), 57.4

Sturt -- 6pts (3-1-0), 56%

North -- 6pts (3-1-0), 53%

Norwood -- 4pts (2-2-0), 55.4%

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W-WT -- 4pts (2-2-0), 49%

South -- 4pts (2-2-0), 48.9%

Central -- 2pts (1-3-0), 46.1%

Port -- 0pts (0-4-0), 42.1%

West -- 0pts (0-4-0), 37.9%

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CROWEATER GIRLS TAKE U-18 TITLE AFTER STERN FINAL TEST

The South Australian Women's U-18 side emerged victorious by just three points after an all-out battle against Victoria Metro at Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee last Friday, sealing the AFL-W U-18 Championship. After blitzing Western Australia and Victoria Country in their first two outings, the Vic Metro outfit were also undefeated after two games and proved a far more difficult proposition. It began with each side managing one goal in the opening quarter, a pair of missed chances by SA to Metro's single behind saw the Croweaters ahead by a point at quarter-time. That was extended to a single goal by the long break, SA kicking the only major of the term to the Vic's two behinds. The Croweaters looked to have opened up some space between them and Vic Metro in the third quarter, bagging three goals without a miss to 1.1, going into the final change with a 17-point lead. SA was then put under the pump in the final stanza as the Vics mounted a comeback, but the defenses held firm as their opposition skewed some vital shots and the Croweaters held on for victory. Eagle Shineah Goody was named SA's MVP of the series, racking up 27 disposals, two goals and six clearances. The overall MVP award will be decided on April 30 after the last match of the national series, as well as the naming of the All-Australian side.

South Australia 5.3 (33) def. Victoria Metro 4.6 (30)

WEST END STATE TEAM -- Initial training squad

From the SANFL website by Zac Milbank.

With the Croweaters’ first training session under coach Jade Sheedy set to kick off at Thebarton Oval on Tuesday night, the initial list of those poised to tackle the Sandgropers at Optus Stadium has been finalised. 2021 Grand Finalist Glenelg has seven players named but the surprise packet is Norwood, with last year’s qualifying finalist also having seven selected, including six potential debutants such as ruckman Harry Boyd, forward Ben Jarvis and midfielders Jacob Kennerly and Nik Rokahr. Sheedy’s reigning Eagles premiership squad will supply six players, including star midfielders Riley Knight and Joseph Sinor, livewire forward Daniel Menzel and former Brisbane Lions giant Connor Ballenden. North Adelaide has five players chosen, Sturt and South Adelaide four each and Central District three while AFL-experienced key position pair Tom Keough and Kaiden Brand represent West Adelaide.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Sheedy said selectors – headed by Chairman Stephen Rowe – had opted for a larger squad this year due to so many players being in strong form.

North Adelaide coach Jacob Surjan will continue as one of Sheedy’s assistants while Norwood mentor Jade Rawlings and Bloods senior assistant Adam Hartlett have joined this year’s West End State coaching panel as it seeks to retain the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup. The initial West End State squad will be trimmed to 23 players after Round 6 of the Hostplus SANFL League, ahead of the final two training sessions in the week leading up to the clash. If form warrants, players can also still be added to the squad within the next fortnight.

A new State captain will be named in the final week, with last year’s skipper Jack Hayes now on St Kilda’s list.

Central District -- Billy McCormack, Travis Schiller, Kyle Presbury

Glenelg -- Matt Allen, Luke Partington, Lachlan Hosie, Max Proud, Sam Durdin, Liam McBean, Brett Turner

North Adelaide -- Campbell Combe, Keenan Ramsey, Alex Spina, Mitch Harvey, Harrison Wigg

Norwood -- Harry Boyd, Declan Hamilton, Jack Heard, Ben Jarvis, Jacob Kennerly, Nik Rokahr, Matthew Nunn

South Adelaide -- Jye Menzie, Mitch O'Neill, Hayden Sampson, Eamon Wilkinson

Sturt -- Will Coomblas, Casey Voss, Tom Lewis, Patrick Wilson

West Adelaide -- Kaiden Brand, Tom Keough

Woodville-West Torrens -- Connor Ballenden, Riley Knight, Rory Lehmann, Daniel Menzel, Joseph Sinor, Zane Williams

Next weekend in Round 5...

Saturday April 30

Central District vs. Woodville-West Torrens; X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth @ 2:10pm

West Adelaide vs. North Adelaide; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 4:55pm

Sunday May 1

South Adelaide vs. Adelaide; Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga @ 12:05pm

Glenelg vs. Port Adelaide; ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg @ 2:10pm

Sturt vs. Norwood; Wigan Oval, Unley @ 2:10pm

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