SANFL 2024 -- Round 1 Wrap-Up

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raboyle

Norm Smith Medallist
May 8, 2001
5,669
822
X Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
AFL Club
Adelaide
Other Teams
CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...

It has been over 180 days since we watched the Tigers put some old demons to the sword, finally topping the Blues in a Grand Final and securing their sixth league title last September. That premiership defence began this past weekend as the 2024 SANFL Premiership Season got underway. And what a draw it was with the crowds, with many able to catch their games and head off to their holiday destinations with all the action done and dusted on the Good Friday afternoon. More than 17000 SA footy-heads would file through the gates for the weekend's action and two of these games would set an early tone for the year ahead. While eyes are most definitely on the reigning premiers, there is also eyes on the resurgence of the Bulldogs. The kings of the noughties have endured rather mediocre seasons since their last finals appearance in 2017, but after a fourth-placed finish, making it to a 1st Semi-Final last season and a recruitment drive, optimism is at an all time high at Elizabeth. At the other end of the spectrum is the Redlegs, who had a premiership hangover of horror proportions. Of course there was going to be some watching the Bloods as well, but what else is new nowadays in our competition? The wait is over people... this is Football.

Welcome to the Round 1 edition of the SANFL Wrap-Up.

The season's action would kick off on a Thursday night under the bright lights of Coopers Stadium in Norwood, a clash of the affluent parts of Adelaide as the Redlegs took on the Double Blues. The two matches last season saw the points shared with the away side coming out on top. In Round 2, the Blues doubled the 'Legs overall score to win by 53 points at The Parade, but the Redlegs got their own back at Unley with their 29-point victory. The Blues kicked the lowest scores of the year by a home side of 3.12, only equalled the following week by South Adelaide. Norwood's premiership defence was a disaster and would not feature in finals last season, finishing in seventh place. The Blues would end 2023 with not a single piece of silverware. Not only did the league side fail to capture the flag, the same fate awaited the Blues in all four men's premiership deciders. More than 4000 fans would front up for this one, beginning with an arm-wrestling match of a opening term. Both sides would skew more than a few chances on goal, early in the term it was Sturt with more of them, then Norwood in the closing stages. The Redlegs' late chances would only see them up by just one goal, the board reading 3.3 to 2.3. The struggle continued in the second quarter, the Blues getting more of the ball but not more of the goals. They managed to take over the lead half-way into the term after scoring 2.2 to the Redlegs' 1.1, but the rest of the quarter was a slog. At the long break, it was Sturt with the narrowest of margins. The deficit would finally reach two-digit figures by the 15th minute of the third quarter, Norwood's two late goals among their 4.3 to the visitors' 1.3 giving them a 17-point advantage going into the last quarter. The Blues' early final term major would only serve to spur the home side into action, Norwood dominating much of the rest of the term despite putting several shots wide on goal. They scored 3.4 to Sturt's two goals, running out 27-point winners in a far better showing than the opening round of 2023. Billy Cootee's Redlegs debut would see him named their best afield, with 22 disposals, seven clearances and 10 tackles. For the Blues, it was Will Snelling with 26 disposals, six clearances and nine tackles in his return to SANFL football.

Now it's onto the Good Friday football-fest, starting with the now seemingly traditional pre-Easter northern derby between the Roosters and the Bulldogs at Prospect Oval. The Dogs took out both matches last season, starting with the corresponding match in Round 2 at Elizabeth by 27 points, then the return match at Menzies Crescent by two points in Round 17. That later match was an all out tussle for the ages, the deficit at the changes never exceeding a single straight kick. It took until the dying moments of the game for the Dogs to steal the points, kicking the only goal of the final quarter deep into added time. The Roosters would finish last season in sixth place, only one spot above their 2022 conquerors. The Bulldogs on the other hand would feature in their first finals series for six seasons after ending the minor round in fourth place. The terraces would look a picture, with a shade under 3300 turning up despite needing the sunblock and a few bottles of water in the cooler. The Bulldogs controlled the early half of the opening term, but a couple of late goals to the Roosters put them back within strike going into the first change. A late chance to the Dogs to lead by double digits would go astray, a five-point gap separating the two with the board reading 3.2 to 2.3. Centrals again re-established some dominance in the second term, though they did waste a couple of prime chances in front of goal. The Roosters' managed a late goal to keep the gap within three straight kicks, though three minors during the course of that term to the Dogs' 3.3 saw them down by 17 points at the end of the half. When play resumed for the second half, the Roosters began the term seemingly with a renewed vigour as they snatched the lead just 12 minutes in with their 3.1. They then fought over the lead for the ensuing 10 minutes until a couple of extra time goals by Centrals put them back in the lead. One last major to North brought the visitors' lead down to 10 points going into the final change. The Roosters started the final term with 1.2 in the first eight minutes, but then it was all Centrals as they ran over the top of the home side with 4.2 to one behind, finishing the day with a 27-point victory. VFL import Wilson Barry had a debut to remember, named best for Centrals with his 24 disposals and six clearances, while the Roosters voted in Harrison Wigg as their best with 30 disposals and 13 marks.

The next game up on the loaded Friday schedule takes us all the way down to the outer southern suburbs and into the Flinders University Stadium in Noarlunga, where the Panthers would take on the Crows. The Panthers lost both games last season, starting with a 14-goal hammering at Adelaide Oval in Round 4, then a 37-point loss at Noarlunga in Round 10. The first game was no doubt a serious morale drainer for the supporter base, given that the club willingly sold off one of its home games for a chance to play at league HQ. The Crows had it practically in the bag by three quarter-time with a 10 goals plus lead, but took their foot off the Panthers' throats in the last term to have that lead almost halved by game's end. The Panthers would end 2023 in ninth position, one of their worst placings since 2013 when they finished eighth and representing a further drop since finishing third in 2021 and sixth in 2022. Adelaide again found themselves a game short of a decider after finishing third and losing yet another Preliminary Final. The Panthers looked the stronger outfit to begin with early on, kicking four goals before the Crows could kick one of their own. The Crows responded late in the term, but could only manage a string of behinds. At quarter-time, the scores were South 4.4 to Adelaide's 1.5. The Crows found some more goals in the second quarter, but were answered for each one in turn by the Panthers. In fact, South would stretch their lead to 26 points by the half-time break, having scored five goals without a miss to Adelaide 4.3. The Crows fitness looked to have kicked in when play resumed however and although they skewed several shots, the Panthers lead was well slashed by the final change. A score of 4.5 to South's 2.1 brought the home side's advantage back to just four points. The Panthers tried valiantly to weather the Crows' onslaught, but eventually the visitors did take over the lead the hard way deep into injury time with their 4.5 to South's three goals. Two late chances for South to snatch it back went wide, in the end it was Adelaide with a five-point triumph. Billy Dowling was the Crows best on ground, with 34 disposals along with seven tackles and clearances. For the Panthers, it was Hayden Sampson with 27 disposals and eight marks.

Now its onto match number four and its over to the Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Woodville for the SANFL's war of the western suburbs as the Eagles faced the Bloods. One of the very few itches that the Bloods were able to scratch last year, the Eagles ended up being one of them. After being dealt a near 10-goal loss at Richmond in Round 7, the Bloods managed to pull off a rare away win at Oval Avenue later in the season. That six-point triumph in Round 18 was only their third victory against the Eagles in 17 outings, the other two coming in early 2019 and the drought-breaking premiership victory in 2015. Both sides would finish well outside finals contention, the Eagles finishing in eighth position while it was same-old same-old for the poor Bloods with yet another wooden spoon. The Eagles began on the right note, keeping the Bloods to a lowly 1.2 whilst scoring 5.4 for themselves to take a 26-point lead into the quarter-time huddle. The Eagles built upon the deficit over the bulk of the second quarter and could have been much further in front if not for more missed opportunities. By 18 minutes they were up to as much as six straight kicks up. At this time, the Bloods found some goal-kicking form, booting five goals in succession to slash it back to just one kick. The Eagles did put it back to two by the half-time break, all scores counted it was the Bloods with 7.1 to 4.4 with the gap down to 11 points. A hell of a burst from the red & black, but as has been the case many times over, the bubble was to be burst quickly. To be fair though, the Bloods were playing several debutants. Westies stayed within three kicks of the Eagles for much of the third quarter, but it would be four by term's end, a late pair of cruical chances for the away side going begging with the Eagles scoring 4.3 to 2.4 to lead by 22 points at the final change. The Bloods engine room sputtered to a stop in the final term, managing just two behinds as the home side flew away to a 64-point victory after bagging 7.2 to finish off. Riley Knight was at his absolute best for the Eagles, notching up 26 disposals, 12 tackles and 11 clearances. For the Bloods, it was Kobe Ryan with 20 disposals, 10 tackles and seven clearances.

The last game for the pre-Easter SANFL showcase takes us to the seaside and into the Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg for some twilight footy between the Tigers and the Magpies. All the points on offer from their two stoushes last year went to the Bays, starting with a 17-point win at Brighton Road in Round 2, then a nine-point triumph at Alberton in Round 16. The earlier game had the two sides locked up at 45 points each at the final change, the Tigers putting a choke-hold on their old enemies in the final term to run out winners. It was more of a battle in the later game, the 'Pies keeping well within strike for most of the game but unable to reel them back in. The Tigers of course finished both minor premiers and flag winners, while the Magpies finished fifth and were bounced from finals in week one. Port controlled much of the proceedings in the first term, but sprayed several chances. The Tigers weren't that much better to begin with, but a single point's gap in favour of the 'Pies at quarter-time was just fine and dandy. Because from here, the reigning premiers showed their teeth were still very much sharp. The Magpies managed a pair of goals during the middle of the term, but bookending that were seven Glenelg goals. Add in a couple of minor scores and the Tigers took a 31-point advantage going into the sheds at the long break. The Magpies would land the first blow on the board for the second half with a major in the first minute of the restart, which was then answered with another four to the Bays. The gap would be widened to 45 points come three quarter-time, the Tigers having booted 6.3 to 4.1. The home side just kept laying the boots in, to the delight of most of the 5000-strong crowd that turned out. They added a further 6.4 to 3.1 in the final term, romping to an 11-goal smashing. Matt Allen was Glenelg's standout, with 25 disposals, six marks, five clearances and three goals. For Port, it was Nick Moore with 22 disposals, 11 clearances and seven tackles.

FINAL SCORES IN ROUND 1 OF THE SANFL...

Thursday March 28

Norwood 11.11 (77)
Sturt 7.8 (50)
4,000+ @ Coopers Stadium, Norwood

Friday March 29
Central District 14.9 (93)
North Adelaide 9.12 (66)
3,293 @ Prospect Oval

Adelaide 13.18 (96)
South Adelaide 14.7 (91)
2,080 @ Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga

Woodville-West Torrens 20.13 (133)
West Adelaide 10.9 (69)
2,655 @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville

Glenelg 23.12 (150)
Port Adelaide 13.6 (84)
5,007 @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg


INJURIES
Sturt -- Lewis (calf), Ferres (shoulder)
North -- Elbrow (ankle), Evans (foot)
South -- Birt (quad), Wilkinson (finger)
West -- Hill (ankle), Frost (shoulder), Ellem (knee)
Glenelg -- McGree (collarbone)

REPORTS
Norwood -- Nelligan (rough conduct)
Sturt -- Illman (rough conduct)
W-WT -- Rowe (rough conduct)
West -- Bramich (striking)
Port -- Walsh, Charleson (rough conduct)


LEAGUE LADDER
----------------------------------------------------
W-WT -- 2pts (1-0-0), 65.8%
Glenelg -- 2pts (1-0-0), 64.1%
Norwood -- 2pts (1-0-0), 60.6%
Central -- 2pts (1-0-0), 58.5%
Adelaide -- 2pts (1-0-0), 51.3%

-----------------------------------------------------
South -- 0pts (0-1-0), 48.7%
North -- 0pts (0-1-0), 41.5%
Sturt -- 0pts (0-1-0), 39.4%
Port -- 0pts (0-1-0), 35.9%
West -- 0pts (0-1-0), 34.2%
------------------------------------------------------

SANFL STATE SQUAD NAMED
With the Gather Round taking place next week, instead of a general league bye, the SANFL and the VFL will clash in a post-midday match on Saturday at Glenelg. With only one game under the belts of our players, the state selectors have decided to name a 25-man squad based on last year's form as well as giving some of last year's best performers their debut in the red guernsey. Familiar names from the 2023 squad will include Eagles Joe Sinor and James Rowe, Tigers goalsneak Liam McBean, Bulldog Jez McLennan and Sturt's Casey Voss. Making their first appearance in the famous jumper will be current Magarey Medallist Harry Grant of the Dogs, Corey Lyons from the Tigers and Redleg Jackson Callow. No AFL-listed players are eligible, while no Panthers players made the list. Jade Rawlings along with subordinates Jacob Surjan and Darren Reeves remain at the helm, while South Adelaide assistant coach Jarrad Parker has been added to the coaches panel. Two players will be cut and a captains group named over the coming week, training will be held at Brighton Road on Tuesday (2/4) and Thursday (4/4) nights.

Central District -- Harry Grant, Aiden Grace & Jez McLennan
Glenelg -- Liam McBean, Lachie Hosie, Luke Reynolds, Corey Lyons, Matt Allen, Max Proud & Darcy Bailey
North Adelaide -- Frank Szekely, Harrison Wigg & Karl Finlay
Norwood -- Harry Boyd, Mitch O’Neill, Jack Heard, Jackson Callow & Baynen Lowe
Sturt -- Will Snelling, Casey Voss & Will Coomblas
West Adelaide -- Josh Ryan
Woodville-West Torrens -- Joey Sinor, James Rowe & Riley Knight

Let the rivalry live once more!

Saturday April 6
SANFL vs VFL @ Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg @ 12:40pm

So until next weekend.. see you at the Footy!
 
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The game at Norwood was at such a furious pace with superb tackling from both sides that I can recall only 1 instance of a player having the time to bounce the ball and that was only one bounce. Both sides very fit and able to exert enormous pressure for the whole game.
 
Yes, I attended the Norwood v Sturt game at the Parade. Very good game to watch and as Redleg supporter I was pleased with the result, as well as the performances of several new players.

However, it worries me that 2024 will see more Glenelg dominance, and possibly even an undefeated premiership. I know they'll have the odd day off, but they could play poorly and still win.
 

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