- May 8, 2001
- 5,669
- 822
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
Despite the match at Glenelg a fortnight ago not reaching the lofty heights that many had hoped, more than 7,000 people turned out for a rain-free afternoon at Brighton Road, along with an aggregate attendance of over 17,000 for the Round 9 long weekend. In fact, that attendance and those from the first half of the year have contributed to a 25% increase overall above last year, which equates to almost 110,000 extra SA footy-heads. We're now into the second half of the home and away season and currently the standout performer is the Tigers, who absolutely blitzed the second-placed Blues last week in unbelieveable fashion. The Blues top five credibility no doubt took a massive whack after that, so all eyes -- if not microscopes -- were concentrated on them after such an abysmal outing. Adelaide has been shaping up as a genuine credible threat themselves, especially after a narrow defeat at the hands of Glenelg not too long ago. The Bulldogs have a character-testing few weeks ahead of them with some encounters against some top opposition coming up soon, as do the Eagles with more than a few banana peels littering their path. Their paths crossed for this round, who came out on top? As for the reigning premiers, were they able to put one over their old-time rivals, or were they back on the wrong end of the stick? Read on, people.
Welcome to the Round 10 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
The split round would begin the first week with a single Saturday afternoon contest up north at the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth where the rivals of the noughties faced off, the Bulldogs against the Eagles. Back in Round 6 at Woodville, the Eagles were victorious over a tenacious but in the end inefficient Bulldogs outfit by four goals. The Doggies' second term was probably where they fell on their sword, spraying wide a couple of chances that could well have seen them well in touch come the second half. Not even a lull in the Eagles attack during the third term could be exploited by the Dogs, where the home side got the only goal of the period. This time around, it was fifth versus fourth, the Eagles ahead on percentage only after both sides sustained losses during the previous week, both against the AFL reserves sides by four straight kicks in each. Those brave enough to face the weather would end up absolutely sodden and the ensuing battle was quite a slog but was entertaining enough to keep interest. The rain wasn't as harsh early on, but with a slippery field and ball, the two sides struggled to put scoreboard pressure on. The Dogs missed at least one deadset sitter during the opening term, going into the first change with a two-point lead with the board reading 1.3 to 1.1. The Eagles kicked into the lead 13 minutes into the second term with a pair of majors, but were back behind again by the half-time siren. A goal close to the break among the 2.2 that the Bulldogs managed would have them up by four points at the long break. The Bulldogs defence was making hard work for the Eagles forwards in the wet, no doubt after the showing against Port last week there was an emphasis on defensive tactics at training during the week because if it was, it was going to pay dividends. The rain really started coming down by the final change, by that time the Dogs had a stellar third term where they kept the Eagles scoreless and added 3.2 to their score to go four goals up at three quarter-time. The Dogs wouldn't find their sticks again after this, but again their defenders stood up against the expected Eagles' last ditch efforts. The visitors could only kick 1.1 in the last quarter, Centrals would emerge the victors by 17 points. Harry Grant continues to be the Bulldogs' ball-magnet, named best afield with 32 disposals, 11 clearances and six tackles. The Eagles had several tireless contributors, but the standout would be James Rowe with 20 disposals, four marks and an outstanding 15 tackles.
The other matches for the first week would be played out on the Sunday arvo timeslot with much clearer skies, the first takes us to the Coopers Stadium in Norwood for the clash between the Redlegs and the Magpies. The Redlegs battled hard back in Round 5 but at the time were unable to put their first win of the season on the board as the Magpies won by seven points at Alberton. Norwood had reduced a 15-point half-time deficit to just three points come the final change, but couldn't find the finish in front of the sticks in the final stanza as Port eluded their grasp. The Redlegs finally managed to find the spark for victory against South at Noarlunga in the last round, but with the Magpies victorious against the Bulldogs at the same time, whether the 'Legs could maintain the rage was anyone's guess. Little known fact... I myself had believed that the Williams-Gallagher Trophy was still being fought for at the time but apparently not. To my surprise ahead of this game, the papers said the trophy was to be "re-instated"... so it's been collecting dust somewhere for who knows how long. Any thoughts that the 'Legs would be back to their worst was put in the backs of the fans' minds in the opening term, but their accuracy kept them within Port reach going into the quarter-time huddle. A pair of missed opportunities late in the term saw the Redlegs lead by just four points, the scores reading 2.5 to 2.1. Those thoughts turned to murmurs by the long break however, the Magpies outgunning the Redlegs to go into the long break with a 13-point lead after scoring 5.2 to 2.3 in the second term. Even more concerning was the ease in which two of those goals came for the vistors, one coming after just 15 seconds and then a long-range bomb later on. But in the third term, the Magpies were unable to find their way to goal, held scoreless by the Norwood backs and would take back the lead by the final change. The Redlegs' 2.2 would have them lead by a point at three quarter-time. Port almost pulled off another quick goal to begin the final term, but would only draw level at 30 seconds. The home side would then rustle up enough resistance and attack to keep Port at bay long enough for victory. Norwood's 2.2 to 1.2 saw them home by seven points for a second win in the bank and possession of the W/G Trophy once more. Nik Rokahr was best afield for Norwood, with 28 disposals, 10 tackles and five clearances. The Magpies voted in Jackson Mead as their best, with 27 disposals, 12 tackles and four clearances.
Now we leave the inner east and head for the inner south for the last match of the first weekend, the Double Blues hosting the Roosters at the Wigan Oval in Unley. Unlike the other games played this year so far, this is the first time these sides have met this season. Last year, the points were shared with the Roosters winning the Round 7 game at Prospect by 46 points, then Sturt at Unley in Round 19 by 22 points. The Blues surrendered a two-goal quarter-time lead to be down by almost four goals at half-time after being held goal-less in the second term, then fell away in the finish as North booted a further five majors to two. But then the Blues had the last word at Oxford Terrace, despite inaccuracy keeping the Roosters well in it at all times. Sturt had 22 scoring shots to 15 and perhaps should have won by more, but North couldn't improve on their opening term efforts which ultimately saw to their demise. Both sides came away with very avoidable losses, with the Roosters going down to the Bloods at Richmond, but it was the shocking 105-point demolition of the Blues by the Tigers that came as a brutal shock to everyone. Redemption needed to come fast, but while endeavour didn't seem to be a problem today, accuracy was. They attacked with more intensity, but a return of 2.6 to 1.1 would allow the Roosters to keep within arms reach. Perhaps it was flashes of last week that was playing in the minds of the Blues in the second term to be held scoreless, but North weren't fully able to make Sturt pay like maybe they could have. North would spray a few shots of their own but their 2.4 put them ahead by just five points at half-time. Unfortunately for North, since their win against Port, they've not been able to recapture that intensity. The Blues' third quarter was a welcome sight to their faithful after the horror at Brighton Road, bagging 6.5 to the Roosters' lowly 1.1 to take a 29-point advantage into the final change. The Blues increased their advantage to six straight goals around 12 minutes after scoring 1.2 to one behind, but then went missing for the rest of the quarter. Thankfully for the home side, their defenders were able to hold off the North fightback long enough to secure the points. The Roosters added a further 3.2, falling 16 points short in the finish. Sturt would name Patrick Wilson as their best, with 28 disposals, nine marks and six clearances. For the Roosters, they named Sam McInerney with 24 disposals, 11 tackles and five marks.
The last of the games would take place the following Saturday afternoon and we're going to the inner west for the battle between the Bloods and the Tigers at the Hisense Stadium in Richmond. These teams are another pair that still hadn't faced each other until now, last season the Tigers took out both games but on both occasions were made to work for it. In Round 9 at Brighton Road, the Bloods asked some serious questions of the Tigers before going down by five points. They fought from a five-kick gap at quarter-time to a two-kick gap come half-time, only for an inaccurate final term to allow the Bays to survive in the end. The match at Richmond in Round 16 was a scrap and a half, the Bloods again producing some good football but unable to find the big sticks more often. The Tigers weren't having the best time in goal either, but did enough to win by nine points. Both were victorious in their previous games over the teams in the previous paragraph, with the Bloods defeating North by 29 points, but it was the 105-point hammering by the Tigers on Sturt that had many believing another romp was on the cards. Compared to that game though, the weather wasn't going to be as kind with a wet and windy afternoon in store. The Tigers weren't going to hit the same lofty heights this time around and probably should have been ahead by more than just nine points at quarter-time after scoring 2.4 to 1.1 in the opening term, but by the half-time break they would stand more than six goals ahead. They went on to add a further 6.3 to 1.2 in the second term to go into the sheds at the long break with a 40-point lead. The Bloods did a lot more in the second half, while they were unable to fully bridge the gap they would probably could have put the Blues of last week to shame in comparison. The goal-kicking yips came back to the Glenelg camp, but the deficit crept out to seven goals even after scoring 2.4 to 2.2 in the third term. In the end, the Bloods could really hold their heads up high with their effort and go into their game against the Magpies next week with some confidence. They outscored the Tigers 3.2 to 2.3 in the last quarter, the visitors leaving Richmond with a 37-point win and their ninth straight victory. Matthew Allen was Glenelg's best afield with 26 disposals and 11 marks, while the Bloods had Kobe Ryan who notched up 35 disposals, 12 tackles and eight clearances.
The final game for the split round fortnight would take place down south at the Flinders University Stadium in Noarlunga, the Panthers lining up against the Crows. These sides last met at Adelaide Oval in Round 4 in one of the Crows' buy-outs of other SANFL club's home games, Adelaide winning by 14 goals to make it a hat trick of victories against the blue & whites. South had nothing on the Crows after quarter-time, down by just eight points before an embarrassing capitulation. Adelaide kicked 15 goals over the ensuing three quarters, but with a final score of 19.20 the gap could well have been in excess of 20 goals had they been more true in their shooting, especially in the third term where they kicked 2.7. The Panthers season has gone into freefall since Round 3, winning just one game back in Round 8. Last week they played Norwood into form to go down by 23 points, while the Crows won by the same margin against the Eagles despite their inaccuracy. Spoiler alert, people... the Panthers' fortunes wasn't going to improve today. Adelaide began with a bang, holding the hapless Panthers to just one point while bagging 7.3 of their own to go into the first change with a 44-point advantage. The trademark Noarlunga breeze should have helped the Panthers' cause in the second term as it did Adelaide, but while they kept the Crows to just two behinds, South were unable to capitalise much on the scoreboard with a mere return of one measly goal to reduce the gap to 40 points by the half-time break. The Crows were relentless in their pressure on the body and ball, despite being kept away from the big sticks in that second term, it was their defense that stopped South from putting in any scoreboard impact. Adelaide again had the wind in their favour in the third quarter and again set about stretching their lead, restricting the Panthers to just 1.1 whilst adding 4.6 -- with five behinds over 10 minutes -- to their own tally to take the deficit out to 63 points. The Panthers were finally able to string some together to finish the game off, but of course it was far too late for remedial action now. They scored 4.3 to one behind, reducing the final margin to 37 points. One thing is for sure, if Adelaide can put the same kind of team on the paddock at finals, they present a real threat to the Tigers and indeed the Blues come finals. Jackson Hately was quite devastating all-round for Adelaide, racking up 32 disposals, 12 tackles and six marks along with a pair of goals. Mitch O'Neill was South's standout with 26 disposals along with five tackles and clearances.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 10 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday June 17
Central District 6.7 (43)
Woodville-West Torrens 4.2 (26)
1,286 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
Sunday June 18
Norwood 8.12 (60)
Port Adelaide 8.5 (53)
2,382 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Sturt 9.13 (67)
North Adelaide 7.9 (51)
2,437 @ Wigan Oval, Unley
Saturday June 24
Glenelg 12.14 (86)
West Adelaide 7.7 (49)
1,377 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Adelaide 11.12 (78)
South Adelaide 6.5 (41)
835 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
INJURIES
Sturt -- Matthews (calf)
North -- Young (hamstring), Ramsey (hip), Hilder (kidney)
West -- J. Stevens (corked thigh)
South -- Ramsey (knee), Dunkin (concussion), Mitton (shoulder)
REPORTS
Central -- East (striking), McCormack (forceful contact)
W-WT -- Collier-Dawkins (rough conduct)
North -- Elbrow (misconduct)
Glenelg -- Gerloff (striking)
West -- May (rough conduct)
Adelaide -- Sharrad (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
--------------------------------------------------------
Glenelg -- 18pts (9-1-0), 61.1%
Sturt -- 18pts (9-1-0), 52.6%
Adelaide -- 14pts (7-3-0), 60.6%
Central -- 10pts (5-5-0), 49.1%
W-WT -- 8pts (4-6-0), 49.7%
--------------------------------------------------------
Port -- 8pts (4-6-0), 47.5%
North -- 8pts (4-6-0), 46%
West -- 6pts (3-7-0), 45.9%
South -- 6pts (3-7-0), 43.6%
Norwood -- 4pts (2-8-0), 42%
--------------------------------------------------------
CROWEATER COLTS HAVE PLENTY TO PONDER FOR 2024
During the SANFL split round, the South Australian U-18's did manage to salvage some pride against Victoria Country, but were then dealt a reality check by Western Australia to finish the National Championship campaign with one victory from their four outings. At the home of the Carlton Football Club last week, the Croweaters were down by seven points at the first change before kicking five goals without a miss in the second term to lead by five points at the long break. Vic Country's second term inaccuracy helped the SA cause, with a score of 2.6. SA went on to kick seven goals to five for the remainder of the game to win by 19 points, Tyler Welsh kicking five goals and midfielder Sid Draper notching up 29 disposals. But it all came crashing down when they headed across the Nullarbor to face the Sandgropers at Optus Stadium, after trailing by just three points at half-time the Croweaters were held goal-less in the third quarter as Western Australia cruised to a 28-point victory, kicking six goals to two in the second half. Draper was again one of SA big ball-winners with 20 disposals as well as eight inside-50's. South Australia's time in the series is all done, but everyone should watch the Allies, who have thus far downed both SA and WA in their games, with only the two Victorian sides to beat in their upcoming fixtures in Brisbane and Melbourne in early July.
Sunday June 18 @ Ikon Park, Carlton
South Australia 15.4 (94) def. Victoria Country 11.9 (75)
Saturday June 24 @ Optus Stadium, Perth
Western Australia 10.10 (70) def. South Australia 6.6 (42)
INACCURACY ON GOAL COSTS CROWEATER KIDS
While their U-18 counterparts were closing up their campaign, the U-16's were just getting started on their own in the west against the Sandgropers. The Croweaters would eventually go down in their opening match against Western Australia at Mineral Resources Park in Lathlain on Sunday. The endeavour of the SA boys can definitely not be understated, only their shooting on goal especially in that third quarter where they peppered the goals for a return of 1.9. The Sandgropers were not exactly having a field day themselves, at three quarter-time the board would read 6.10 to 4.14, leading SA by eight points. Try as they did in the final stanza, the Croweaters just couldn't bridge the gap, kicking 3.4 to 3.1 to go down by five points. The U-16 series continues for South Australia early next month on the Gold Coast, with games against Victoria Country at Carrara, followed by Victoria Metro at Southport within a few days of each other.
Sunday June 25 @ Mineral Resources Park, Perth
Western Australia 9.11 (65) def. South Australia 7.18 (60)
Next weekend in Round 11...
Saturday July 1 @ 2:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. South Adelaide; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Alberton Oval
Sunday July 2 @ 2:10pm
Glenelg vs. Central District; Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
North Adelaide vs. Adelaide; Prospect Oval
Sturt vs. Norwood; Wigan Oval, Unley
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
Despite the match at Glenelg a fortnight ago not reaching the lofty heights that many had hoped, more than 7,000 people turned out for a rain-free afternoon at Brighton Road, along with an aggregate attendance of over 17,000 for the Round 9 long weekend. In fact, that attendance and those from the first half of the year have contributed to a 25% increase overall above last year, which equates to almost 110,000 extra SA footy-heads. We're now into the second half of the home and away season and currently the standout performer is the Tigers, who absolutely blitzed the second-placed Blues last week in unbelieveable fashion. The Blues top five credibility no doubt took a massive whack after that, so all eyes -- if not microscopes -- were concentrated on them after such an abysmal outing. Adelaide has been shaping up as a genuine credible threat themselves, especially after a narrow defeat at the hands of Glenelg not too long ago. The Bulldogs have a character-testing few weeks ahead of them with some encounters against some top opposition coming up soon, as do the Eagles with more than a few banana peels littering their path. Their paths crossed for this round, who came out on top? As for the reigning premiers, were they able to put one over their old-time rivals, or were they back on the wrong end of the stick? Read on, people.
Welcome to the Round 10 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.
The split round would begin the first week with a single Saturday afternoon contest up north at the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth where the rivals of the noughties faced off, the Bulldogs against the Eagles. Back in Round 6 at Woodville, the Eagles were victorious over a tenacious but in the end inefficient Bulldogs outfit by four goals. The Doggies' second term was probably where they fell on their sword, spraying wide a couple of chances that could well have seen them well in touch come the second half. Not even a lull in the Eagles attack during the third term could be exploited by the Dogs, where the home side got the only goal of the period. This time around, it was fifth versus fourth, the Eagles ahead on percentage only after both sides sustained losses during the previous week, both against the AFL reserves sides by four straight kicks in each. Those brave enough to face the weather would end up absolutely sodden and the ensuing battle was quite a slog but was entertaining enough to keep interest. The rain wasn't as harsh early on, but with a slippery field and ball, the two sides struggled to put scoreboard pressure on. The Dogs missed at least one deadset sitter during the opening term, going into the first change with a two-point lead with the board reading 1.3 to 1.1. The Eagles kicked into the lead 13 minutes into the second term with a pair of majors, but were back behind again by the half-time siren. A goal close to the break among the 2.2 that the Bulldogs managed would have them up by four points at the long break. The Bulldogs defence was making hard work for the Eagles forwards in the wet, no doubt after the showing against Port last week there was an emphasis on defensive tactics at training during the week because if it was, it was going to pay dividends. The rain really started coming down by the final change, by that time the Dogs had a stellar third term where they kept the Eagles scoreless and added 3.2 to their score to go four goals up at three quarter-time. The Dogs wouldn't find their sticks again after this, but again their defenders stood up against the expected Eagles' last ditch efforts. The visitors could only kick 1.1 in the last quarter, Centrals would emerge the victors by 17 points. Harry Grant continues to be the Bulldogs' ball-magnet, named best afield with 32 disposals, 11 clearances and six tackles. The Eagles had several tireless contributors, but the standout would be James Rowe with 20 disposals, four marks and an outstanding 15 tackles.
The other matches for the first week would be played out on the Sunday arvo timeslot with much clearer skies, the first takes us to the Coopers Stadium in Norwood for the clash between the Redlegs and the Magpies. The Redlegs battled hard back in Round 5 but at the time were unable to put their first win of the season on the board as the Magpies won by seven points at Alberton. Norwood had reduced a 15-point half-time deficit to just three points come the final change, but couldn't find the finish in front of the sticks in the final stanza as Port eluded their grasp. The Redlegs finally managed to find the spark for victory against South at Noarlunga in the last round, but with the Magpies victorious against the Bulldogs at the same time, whether the 'Legs could maintain the rage was anyone's guess. Little known fact... I myself had believed that the Williams-Gallagher Trophy was still being fought for at the time but apparently not. To my surprise ahead of this game, the papers said the trophy was to be "re-instated"... so it's been collecting dust somewhere for who knows how long. Any thoughts that the 'Legs would be back to their worst was put in the backs of the fans' minds in the opening term, but their accuracy kept them within Port reach going into the quarter-time huddle. A pair of missed opportunities late in the term saw the Redlegs lead by just four points, the scores reading 2.5 to 2.1. Those thoughts turned to murmurs by the long break however, the Magpies outgunning the Redlegs to go into the long break with a 13-point lead after scoring 5.2 to 2.3 in the second term. Even more concerning was the ease in which two of those goals came for the vistors, one coming after just 15 seconds and then a long-range bomb later on. But in the third term, the Magpies were unable to find their way to goal, held scoreless by the Norwood backs and would take back the lead by the final change. The Redlegs' 2.2 would have them lead by a point at three quarter-time. Port almost pulled off another quick goal to begin the final term, but would only draw level at 30 seconds. The home side would then rustle up enough resistance and attack to keep Port at bay long enough for victory. Norwood's 2.2 to 1.2 saw them home by seven points for a second win in the bank and possession of the W/G Trophy once more. Nik Rokahr was best afield for Norwood, with 28 disposals, 10 tackles and five clearances. The Magpies voted in Jackson Mead as their best, with 27 disposals, 12 tackles and four clearances.
Now we leave the inner east and head for the inner south for the last match of the first weekend, the Double Blues hosting the Roosters at the Wigan Oval in Unley. Unlike the other games played this year so far, this is the first time these sides have met this season. Last year, the points were shared with the Roosters winning the Round 7 game at Prospect by 46 points, then Sturt at Unley in Round 19 by 22 points. The Blues surrendered a two-goal quarter-time lead to be down by almost four goals at half-time after being held goal-less in the second term, then fell away in the finish as North booted a further five majors to two. But then the Blues had the last word at Oxford Terrace, despite inaccuracy keeping the Roosters well in it at all times. Sturt had 22 scoring shots to 15 and perhaps should have won by more, but North couldn't improve on their opening term efforts which ultimately saw to their demise. Both sides came away with very avoidable losses, with the Roosters going down to the Bloods at Richmond, but it was the shocking 105-point demolition of the Blues by the Tigers that came as a brutal shock to everyone. Redemption needed to come fast, but while endeavour didn't seem to be a problem today, accuracy was. They attacked with more intensity, but a return of 2.6 to 1.1 would allow the Roosters to keep within arms reach. Perhaps it was flashes of last week that was playing in the minds of the Blues in the second term to be held scoreless, but North weren't fully able to make Sturt pay like maybe they could have. North would spray a few shots of their own but their 2.4 put them ahead by just five points at half-time. Unfortunately for North, since their win against Port, they've not been able to recapture that intensity. The Blues' third quarter was a welcome sight to their faithful after the horror at Brighton Road, bagging 6.5 to the Roosters' lowly 1.1 to take a 29-point advantage into the final change. The Blues increased their advantage to six straight goals around 12 minutes after scoring 1.2 to one behind, but then went missing for the rest of the quarter. Thankfully for the home side, their defenders were able to hold off the North fightback long enough to secure the points. The Roosters added a further 3.2, falling 16 points short in the finish. Sturt would name Patrick Wilson as their best, with 28 disposals, nine marks and six clearances. For the Roosters, they named Sam McInerney with 24 disposals, 11 tackles and five marks.
The last of the games would take place the following Saturday afternoon and we're going to the inner west for the battle between the Bloods and the Tigers at the Hisense Stadium in Richmond. These teams are another pair that still hadn't faced each other until now, last season the Tigers took out both games but on both occasions were made to work for it. In Round 9 at Brighton Road, the Bloods asked some serious questions of the Tigers before going down by five points. They fought from a five-kick gap at quarter-time to a two-kick gap come half-time, only for an inaccurate final term to allow the Bays to survive in the end. The match at Richmond in Round 16 was a scrap and a half, the Bloods again producing some good football but unable to find the big sticks more often. The Tigers weren't having the best time in goal either, but did enough to win by nine points. Both were victorious in their previous games over the teams in the previous paragraph, with the Bloods defeating North by 29 points, but it was the 105-point hammering by the Tigers on Sturt that had many believing another romp was on the cards. Compared to that game though, the weather wasn't going to be as kind with a wet and windy afternoon in store. The Tigers weren't going to hit the same lofty heights this time around and probably should have been ahead by more than just nine points at quarter-time after scoring 2.4 to 1.1 in the opening term, but by the half-time break they would stand more than six goals ahead. They went on to add a further 6.3 to 1.2 in the second term to go into the sheds at the long break with a 40-point lead. The Bloods did a lot more in the second half, while they were unable to fully bridge the gap they would probably could have put the Blues of last week to shame in comparison. The goal-kicking yips came back to the Glenelg camp, but the deficit crept out to seven goals even after scoring 2.4 to 2.2 in the third term. In the end, the Bloods could really hold their heads up high with their effort and go into their game against the Magpies next week with some confidence. They outscored the Tigers 3.2 to 2.3 in the last quarter, the visitors leaving Richmond with a 37-point win and their ninth straight victory. Matthew Allen was Glenelg's best afield with 26 disposals and 11 marks, while the Bloods had Kobe Ryan who notched up 35 disposals, 12 tackles and eight clearances.
The final game for the split round fortnight would take place down south at the Flinders University Stadium in Noarlunga, the Panthers lining up against the Crows. These sides last met at Adelaide Oval in Round 4 in one of the Crows' buy-outs of other SANFL club's home games, Adelaide winning by 14 goals to make it a hat trick of victories against the blue & whites. South had nothing on the Crows after quarter-time, down by just eight points before an embarrassing capitulation. Adelaide kicked 15 goals over the ensuing three quarters, but with a final score of 19.20 the gap could well have been in excess of 20 goals had they been more true in their shooting, especially in the third term where they kicked 2.7. The Panthers season has gone into freefall since Round 3, winning just one game back in Round 8. Last week they played Norwood into form to go down by 23 points, while the Crows won by the same margin against the Eagles despite their inaccuracy. Spoiler alert, people... the Panthers' fortunes wasn't going to improve today. Adelaide began with a bang, holding the hapless Panthers to just one point while bagging 7.3 of their own to go into the first change with a 44-point advantage. The trademark Noarlunga breeze should have helped the Panthers' cause in the second term as it did Adelaide, but while they kept the Crows to just two behinds, South were unable to capitalise much on the scoreboard with a mere return of one measly goal to reduce the gap to 40 points by the half-time break. The Crows were relentless in their pressure on the body and ball, despite being kept away from the big sticks in that second term, it was their defense that stopped South from putting in any scoreboard impact. Adelaide again had the wind in their favour in the third quarter and again set about stretching their lead, restricting the Panthers to just 1.1 whilst adding 4.6 -- with five behinds over 10 minutes -- to their own tally to take the deficit out to 63 points. The Panthers were finally able to string some together to finish the game off, but of course it was far too late for remedial action now. They scored 4.3 to one behind, reducing the final margin to 37 points. One thing is for sure, if Adelaide can put the same kind of team on the paddock at finals, they present a real threat to the Tigers and indeed the Blues come finals. Jackson Hately was quite devastating all-round for Adelaide, racking up 32 disposals, 12 tackles and six marks along with a pair of goals. Mitch O'Neill was South's standout with 26 disposals along with five tackles and clearances.
FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 10 OF THE SANFL...
Saturday June 17
Central District 6.7 (43)
Woodville-West Torrens 4.2 (26)
1,286 @ X-Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
Sunday June 18
Norwood 8.12 (60)
Port Adelaide 8.5 (53)
2,382 @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Sturt 9.13 (67)
North Adelaide 7.9 (51)
2,437 @ Wigan Oval, Unley
Saturday June 24
Glenelg 12.14 (86)
West Adelaide 7.7 (49)
1,377 @ Hisense Stadium, Richmond
Adelaide 11.12 (78)
South Adelaide 6.5 (41)
835 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga
INJURIES
Sturt -- Matthews (calf)
North -- Young (hamstring), Ramsey (hip), Hilder (kidney)
West -- J. Stevens (corked thigh)
South -- Ramsey (knee), Dunkin (concussion), Mitton (shoulder)
REPORTS
Central -- East (striking), McCormack (forceful contact)
W-WT -- Collier-Dawkins (rough conduct)
North -- Elbrow (misconduct)
Glenelg -- Gerloff (striking)
West -- May (rough conduct)
Adelaide -- Sharrad (striking)
LEAGUE LADDER
--------------------------------------------------------
Glenelg -- 18pts (9-1-0), 61.1%
Sturt -- 18pts (9-1-0), 52.6%
Adelaide -- 14pts (7-3-0), 60.6%
Central -- 10pts (5-5-0), 49.1%
W-WT -- 8pts (4-6-0), 49.7%
--------------------------------------------------------
Port -- 8pts (4-6-0), 47.5%
North -- 8pts (4-6-0), 46%
West -- 6pts (3-7-0), 45.9%
South -- 6pts (3-7-0), 43.6%
Norwood -- 4pts (2-8-0), 42%
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CROWEATER COLTS HAVE PLENTY TO PONDER FOR 2024
During the SANFL split round, the South Australian U-18's did manage to salvage some pride against Victoria Country, but were then dealt a reality check by Western Australia to finish the National Championship campaign with one victory from their four outings. At the home of the Carlton Football Club last week, the Croweaters were down by seven points at the first change before kicking five goals without a miss in the second term to lead by five points at the long break. Vic Country's second term inaccuracy helped the SA cause, with a score of 2.6. SA went on to kick seven goals to five for the remainder of the game to win by 19 points, Tyler Welsh kicking five goals and midfielder Sid Draper notching up 29 disposals. But it all came crashing down when they headed across the Nullarbor to face the Sandgropers at Optus Stadium, after trailing by just three points at half-time the Croweaters were held goal-less in the third quarter as Western Australia cruised to a 28-point victory, kicking six goals to two in the second half. Draper was again one of SA big ball-winners with 20 disposals as well as eight inside-50's. South Australia's time in the series is all done, but everyone should watch the Allies, who have thus far downed both SA and WA in their games, with only the two Victorian sides to beat in their upcoming fixtures in Brisbane and Melbourne in early July.
Sunday June 18 @ Ikon Park, Carlton
South Australia 15.4 (94) def. Victoria Country 11.9 (75)
Saturday June 24 @ Optus Stadium, Perth
Western Australia 10.10 (70) def. South Australia 6.6 (42)
INACCURACY ON GOAL COSTS CROWEATER KIDS
While their U-18 counterparts were closing up their campaign, the U-16's were just getting started on their own in the west against the Sandgropers. The Croweaters would eventually go down in their opening match against Western Australia at Mineral Resources Park in Lathlain on Sunday. The endeavour of the SA boys can definitely not be understated, only their shooting on goal especially in that third quarter where they peppered the goals for a return of 1.9. The Sandgropers were not exactly having a field day themselves, at three quarter-time the board would read 6.10 to 4.14, leading SA by eight points. Try as they did in the final stanza, the Croweaters just couldn't bridge the gap, kicking 3.4 to 3.1 to go down by five points. The U-16 series continues for South Australia early next month on the Gold Coast, with games against Victoria Country at Carrara, followed by Victoria Metro at Southport within a few days of each other.
Sunday June 25 @ Mineral Resources Park, Perth
Western Australia 9.11 (65) def. South Australia 7.18 (60)
Next weekend in Round 11...
Saturday July 1 @ 2:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. South Adelaide; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Alberton Oval
Sunday July 2 @ 2:10pm
Glenelg vs. Central District; Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
North Adelaide vs. Adelaide; Prospect Oval
Sturt vs. Norwood; Wigan Oval, Unley
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
