- May 8, 2001
- 5,706
- 885
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
The SANFL has, for the longest time, has largely dominated the representative football scene over the last 30 years. Only a few times has any team from the traditional footballing states put one over the Croweaters, often met with swift recovery when the next meeting occurred. The wake-up call that happened during the first half of the 1990's would serve to spur the Croweaters into action, from 1996 onwards they would taste defeat only three times. On a few occasions, they would be challenged, only for the men in red to emerge triumphant. Over the border in Victoria, the Big V guernsey seemed to lose its glow after a pair of losses in the mid-2010's, unlike their compatriots over in the West who did for a period have their own renaissance on the state arena at the expense of both them and South Australia. The VFL withdrew from representative football after a horrid showing in Melbourne and a scathing media write-up, but then came Gather Round 2024 and the Victorian jumper was resurrected. There was a better feeling from the VFL camp in that encounter at Glenelg, despite going down to SA. But there are hopes now, that a full-blown revival is afoot.
Welcome to this special edition of the Wrap-Up... the AAMI State Match between the SANFL and the VFL.
Last year's Gather Round would see a revival of the old interstate rivalry, despite the fact that the VFL historically wasn't the chief rival. South Australia's encounters with what was the Victorian Football Association were far fewer compared to their counterparts in the competition that would become the AFL as we know it today. The Association took a back seat to the then-VFL, taking on the South Australians more often during the pre-World War I era and then a handful of times during 1950 up to 1969. The last time SA faced them as the VFA was at Football Park 1980, which the home side won by five goals. It wasn't until the end of the elite-level State of Origin concept in 1999 where the SANFL would face them again, on a sodden MCG deck where the Croweaters triumphed by four goals. With the VFL in the mix, interstate football had a pulse at the state league level. The VFL's time finally came against the old enemy in 2002, avenging their 1999 and 2001 losses with a 56-point win at Adelaide Oval. That would prove to be the last time they topped South Australia, with subsequent defeats in Melbourne and Adelaide up to 2016. While Victoria did put Western Australia and Tasmania to the sword, questions were asked after the well dried up in 2013 and the apparent final nail was their lacklustre showing both on the field and off of it in 2017 at North Port Oval. After a 63-point hammering -- WA's first win ever in Victoria in any footballing capacity for over a century -- the lack of damns given from the Big V camp was rather evident.
Last year though, the passion seemed to be re-ignited. With state leagues taking a bye weekend during the highly successful Gather Round, the VFL brought the famous guernsey out of mothballs against South Australia at Glenelg Oval. Though the Croweaters would retain the trophy, the endeavour and enthusiasm from the VFL camp was evident in a high-quality contest. This time around, the game would take place at the home of Barossa Light & Gawler league club Tanunda on their recently refurbished ground. With Jade Rawlings heading to Fremantle post season, the top role would fall to current Glenelg dual premiership coach Darren Reeves, with lieutenants and fellow league senior coaches Paul Thomas (Centrals) and Sam Jacobs (W-WT), as well as North Adelaide development coach Sam Mayes. The leadership group would consist of Tigers spearhead Liam McBean, along with Sturt's Will Coomblas and Roosters' Harrison Wigg. There were eight players pulling on the red for the first time, amongst them was the Roosters' Angus Schumacher, who last year was representing the Sandgropers against SA. There was also the return of Eagles duo James Rowe and Jack Hayes, bringing some much needed experience.
The VFL side would expand its panel of coaches to six, returning for another stint in the lead position was current Box Hill coach Zane Littlejohn, along with former Adelaide player and current Brisbane reserves coach Ben Hudson.as one of his sub-ordinates. In the other assistant coach roles was Jamie Cassidy-McNamara (Coburg), Stewart Edge (Footscray), Jackson Kornberg (Frankston) and Taylor Whitford (Casey). Leading the charge on the ground for the Big V would be Dom Brew, last year's Liston Trophy winner and premiership captain with Werribee. Some returning faces from last year would be Box Hill's Callum Porter, as well as Southport duo Brayden Crossley and Boyd Woodcock. Woodcock would be one former SANFL player in opposition colours. The 2018 North Adelaide premiership player would be joined by former Port Adelaide player Riley Bonner (Casey), Eagles dual premiership player James Tsitas (Gold Coast), ex-Blood Sam Durdin (Box Hill) and Nathan Kreuger, who left one group of felines for another when he left South Adelaide for Geelong. A great deal of the team would be newcomers to the state side, with probably a half-dozen players having played last season. Among the newcomers would be Richmond vice-captain Mutaz El Nour, Kangaroo Darcy MacPherson and current Port Melbourne skipper Harvey Hooper.
The Croweaters were all over the ball and the Vics early on, despite conceding the first major. But the SA forwards had a dog of a time finding the big sticks with men like McBean and Lachie Hosie not finding their mark to start with. A swag of behinds would result and the Vics would often rebound to great effect. Nine scoring shots to four was the tally for the opening quarter, however the board would have the Vics in front by five points, four goals without a miss to SA's 2.7. The influence of the QLD-based players up forward was well on show, especially Tsitas and Sharks pair Jacob Heron and Campbell Lake. The Croweaters hit back during the middle of the second term, another Tiger in James Bell getting in on the goal-kicking action while McBean and Hosie found goals. But the Vics had plenty of answers, often coming from cheap turnovers. Territory wasn't a problem for SA, but in terms of being direct is where they were lacking. It was probably fortunate to that end that the scores would be tied up at the long break with SA scoring 5.1 to 4.2. Williamstown forward Brodie McLaughlin nailed the first of his goals during the second, while McBean had three to his tally thus far.
The third quarter began quite promisingly for the home side, Hosie, Rowe and Ewan McKinlay booting a goal each in the first five minutes of the second half, while Aiden Grace's 50-metre major was handy as well at 12 minutes. At the other end and in the middle though, the Borough leader in Hooper began to get more involved including a goal. Woodcock would close the third quarter with two majors that saw them re-take the lead going into the final quarter. All scores counted, the VFL kicked 4.4 to 4.2, a two-point lead at the final change. The first half of the last quarter was an all out struggle, SA edging back in front by the 11th minute through McBean and Hosie, answering Victoria's two early goals with three between them. But three cruicial missed chances later and the Vics seized the day. McLaughlin and Louis Pinnuck partnered up during time-on to kick four of the last five goals of the match. Hosie kicked that last major, bringing the eventual gap back to 11 points as the drought of more than 20 years was brought to an end and the era of SANFL dominance halted. In the best on ground department the Fos Williams Medal winner would be Glenelg's Corey Lyons, who finished with 27 disposals, eight marks and four clearances, while final quarter hero Pinnuck of Werribee would take the Frank Johnson Medal with 21 disposals, six marks and the two final quarter goals.
Other notable mentions for both sides would be Harrison Wigg who took 31 disposals and six marks, Double Blue Tom Lewis with eight tackles and James Bell with six clearances. Woodcock had 26 disposals, two goals and six marks, Crossley was a monster as well with 19 disposals and five clearances. Hooper had seven marks and 20 disposals, while McLaughlin kicked four goals, two of them along with Pinnuck coming in that final term. There was a shade under 2900 people in attendance for what, above all else was a marvellous exhibition of what the state leagues are all about. Here's hoping that the Big V makes a full return to the representative calendar next season, it can only enhance the concept along with the WAFL who the Croweaters will face next month in Adelaide.
FINAL SCORES
VFL 18.6 (114)
SANFL 15.13 (103)
2,875 @ Tanunda Recreation Park
WOMENS STATE CLASH -- Vics too strong at Alberton
There was some other history made on the Friday night at the home of Port Adelaide, with the VFL Women's side marking their debut with a dominant 27-point victory against the SANFL-W team at Alberton Oval. Once the Vics got going they were going to be hard to stop, starting with a 4.2 to 0.1 opening term. South Australia got more chances on the sticks in the second term, but their accuracy saw them drop even further behind by the half-time break. They kicked 1.5 to Victoria's three goals without a blemish, a 32-point lead at the long break. The goal-kicking rot continued for the Croweaters in the third quarter, repeating their second term tally. Victoria only added 1.3 to their score, their lead cut back to a flat five goals come three quarter-time. There was very little for the Vics to do from here, though SA kept trying their 2.1 to 1.4 would make little impression on the visitors. Cleaner ball use was key for Victoria and their rebound 50's were almost double that of SA. The one thing the Croweaters were good at was the tackles, with the count heavily on their side. But as evident on the board, kicking for goal was not their strong suit.
Christina Leuzzi of the Eagles was named SA's best afield with 23 disposals and 13 tackles, while Hawthorn's Tahlia Fellows was the VFL-W best on ground with four goals.
VFL-W 9.9 (63) def. SANFL-W 4.12 (36) @ Alberton Oval
Next weekend in your comp...
SANFL ROUND 3
Thursday April 17 @ 7:40pm
Norwood vs. Sturt; Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Friday April 18
West Adelaide vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Central District; Prospect Oval @ 2:30pm
Glenelg vs. Adelaide; Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg @ 4:40pm
Port Adelaide vs. South Adelaide; Alberton Oval @ 7:10pm
VFL ROUND 4
Friday April 18
Brisbane vs Collingwood; Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich @ 12 noon
North Melbourne vs Carlton; Arden Street Oval @ 12 noon
Williamstown vs. Coburg; DSV Stadium, Point Gelibrand @ 1pm
Frankston vs. Richmond; Kinetic Stadium, Frankston @ 7:30pm
Saturday April 19
Casey vs. GWS Giants; Casey Fields @ 11am
Southport vs. Gold Coast; Fankhauser Reserve, Southport @ 12 noon
Sydney vs Werribee; Blacktown ISP @ 12 noon
Port Melbourne vs. Essendon; ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne @ 7:10pm
Sunday April 20 @ 2pm
Geelong vs. Box Hill; GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Footscray vs. Sandringham; Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray
Nthn Bullants BYE
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
The SANFL has, for the longest time, has largely dominated the representative football scene over the last 30 years. Only a few times has any team from the traditional footballing states put one over the Croweaters, often met with swift recovery when the next meeting occurred. The wake-up call that happened during the first half of the 1990's would serve to spur the Croweaters into action, from 1996 onwards they would taste defeat only three times. On a few occasions, they would be challenged, only for the men in red to emerge triumphant. Over the border in Victoria, the Big V guernsey seemed to lose its glow after a pair of losses in the mid-2010's, unlike their compatriots over in the West who did for a period have their own renaissance on the state arena at the expense of both them and South Australia. The VFL withdrew from representative football after a horrid showing in Melbourne and a scathing media write-up, but then came Gather Round 2024 and the Victorian jumper was resurrected. There was a better feeling from the VFL camp in that encounter at Glenelg, despite going down to SA. But there are hopes now, that a full-blown revival is afoot.
Welcome to this special edition of the Wrap-Up... the AAMI State Match between the SANFL and the VFL.
Last year's Gather Round would see a revival of the old interstate rivalry, despite the fact that the VFL historically wasn't the chief rival. South Australia's encounters with what was the Victorian Football Association were far fewer compared to their counterparts in the competition that would become the AFL as we know it today. The Association took a back seat to the then-VFL, taking on the South Australians more often during the pre-World War I era and then a handful of times during 1950 up to 1969. The last time SA faced them as the VFA was at Football Park 1980, which the home side won by five goals. It wasn't until the end of the elite-level State of Origin concept in 1999 where the SANFL would face them again, on a sodden MCG deck where the Croweaters triumphed by four goals. With the VFL in the mix, interstate football had a pulse at the state league level. The VFL's time finally came against the old enemy in 2002, avenging their 1999 and 2001 losses with a 56-point win at Adelaide Oval. That would prove to be the last time they topped South Australia, with subsequent defeats in Melbourne and Adelaide up to 2016. While Victoria did put Western Australia and Tasmania to the sword, questions were asked after the well dried up in 2013 and the apparent final nail was their lacklustre showing both on the field and off of it in 2017 at North Port Oval. After a 63-point hammering -- WA's first win ever in Victoria in any footballing capacity for over a century -- the lack of damns given from the Big V camp was rather evident.
Last year though, the passion seemed to be re-ignited. With state leagues taking a bye weekend during the highly successful Gather Round, the VFL brought the famous guernsey out of mothballs against South Australia at Glenelg Oval. Though the Croweaters would retain the trophy, the endeavour and enthusiasm from the VFL camp was evident in a high-quality contest. This time around, the game would take place at the home of Barossa Light & Gawler league club Tanunda on their recently refurbished ground. With Jade Rawlings heading to Fremantle post season, the top role would fall to current Glenelg dual premiership coach Darren Reeves, with lieutenants and fellow league senior coaches Paul Thomas (Centrals) and Sam Jacobs (W-WT), as well as North Adelaide development coach Sam Mayes. The leadership group would consist of Tigers spearhead Liam McBean, along with Sturt's Will Coomblas and Roosters' Harrison Wigg. There were eight players pulling on the red for the first time, amongst them was the Roosters' Angus Schumacher, who last year was representing the Sandgropers against SA. There was also the return of Eagles duo James Rowe and Jack Hayes, bringing some much needed experience.
The VFL side would expand its panel of coaches to six, returning for another stint in the lead position was current Box Hill coach Zane Littlejohn, along with former Adelaide player and current Brisbane reserves coach Ben Hudson.as one of his sub-ordinates. In the other assistant coach roles was Jamie Cassidy-McNamara (Coburg), Stewart Edge (Footscray), Jackson Kornberg (Frankston) and Taylor Whitford (Casey). Leading the charge on the ground for the Big V would be Dom Brew, last year's Liston Trophy winner and premiership captain with Werribee. Some returning faces from last year would be Box Hill's Callum Porter, as well as Southport duo Brayden Crossley and Boyd Woodcock. Woodcock would be one former SANFL player in opposition colours. The 2018 North Adelaide premiership player would be joined by former Port Adelaide player Riley Bonner (Casey), Eagles dual premiership player James Tsitas (Gold Coast), ex-Blood Sam Durdin (Box Hill) and Nathan Kreuger, who left one group of felines for another when he left South Adelaide for Geelong. A great deal of the team would be newcomers to the state side, with probably a half-dozen players having played last season. Among the newcomers would be Richmond vice-captain Mutaz El Nour, Kangaroo Darcy MacPherson and current Port Melbourne skipper Harvey Hooper.
The Croweaters were all over the ball and the Vics early on, despite conceding the first major. But the SA forwards had a dog of a time finding the big sticks with men like McBean and Lachie Hosie not finding their mark to start with. A swag of behinds would result and the Vics would often rebound to great effect. Nine scoring shots to four was the tally for the opening quarter, however the board would have the Vics in front by five points, four goals without a miss to SA's 2.7. The influence of the QLD-based players up forward was well on show, especially Tsitas and Sharks pair Jacob Heron and Campbell Lake. The Croweaters hit back during the middle of the second term, another Tiger in James Bell getting in on the goal-kicking action while McBean and Hosie found goals. But the Vics had plenty of answers, often coming from cheap turnovers. Territory wasn't a problem for SA, but in terms of being direct is where they were lacking. It was probably fortunate to that end that the scores would be tied up at the long break with SA scoring 5.1 to 4.2. Williamstown forward Brodie McLaughlin nailed the first of his goals during the second, while McBean had three to his tally thus far.
The third quarter began quite promisingly for the home side, Hosie, Rowe and Ewan McKinlay booting a goal each in the first five minutes of the second half, while Aiden Grace's 50-metre major was handy as well at 12 minutes. At the other end and in the middle though, the Borough leader in Hooper began to get more involved including a goal. Woodcock would close the third quarter with two majors that saw them re-take the lead going into the final quarter. All scores counted, the VFL kicked 4.4 to 4.2, a two-point lead at the final change. The first half of the last quarter was an all out struggle, SA edging back in front by the 11th minute through McBean and Hosie, answering Victoria's two early goals with three between them. But three cruicial missed chances later and the Vics seized the day. McLaughlin and Louis Pinnuck partnered up during time-on to kick four of the last five goals of the match. Hosie kicked that last major, bringing the eventual gap back to 11 points as the drought of more than 20 years was brought to an end and the era of SANFL dominance halted. In the best on ground department the Fos Williams Medal winner would be Glenelg's Corey Lyons, who finished with 27 disposals, eight marks and four clearances, while final quarter hero Pinnuck of Werribee would take the Frank Johnson Medal with 21 disposals, six marks and the two final quarter goals.
Other notable mentions for both sides would be Harrison Wigg who took 31 disposals and six marks, Double Blue Tom Lewis with eight tackles and James Bell with six clearances. Woodcock had 26 disposals, two goals and six marks, Crossley was a monster as well with 19 disposals and five clearances. Hooper had seven marks and 20 disposals, while McLaughlin kicked four goals, two of them along with Pinnuck coming in that final term. There was a shade under 2900 people in attendance for what, above all else was a marvellous exhibition of what the state leagues are all about. Here's hoping that the Big V makes a full return to the representative calendar next season, it can only enhance the concept along with the WAFL who the Croweaters will face next month in Adelaide.
FINAL SCORES
VFL 18.6 (114)
SANFL 15.13 (103)
2,875 @ Tanunda Recreation Park
WOMENS STATE CLASH -- Vics too strong at Alberton
There was some other history made on the Friday night at the home of Port Adelaide, with the VFL Women's side marking their debut with a dominant 27-point victory against the SANFL-W team at Alberton Oval. Once the Vics got going they were going to be hard to stop, starting with a 4.2 to 0.1 opening term. South Australia got more chances on the sticks in the second term, but their accuracy saw them drop even further behind by the half-time break. They kicked 1.5 to Victoria's three goals without a blemish, a 32-point lead at the long break. The goal-kicking rot continued for the Croweaters in the third quarter, repeating their second term tally. Victoria only added 1.3 to their score, their lead cut back to a flat five goals come three quarter-time. There was very little for the Vics to do from here, though SA kept trying their 2.1 to 1.4 would make little impression on the visitors. Cleaner ball use was key for Victoria and their rebound 50's were almost double that of SA. The one thing the Croweaters were good at was the tackles, with the count heavily on their side. But as evident on the board, kicking for goal was not their strong suit.
Christina Leuzzi of the Eagles was named SA's best afield with 23 disposals and 13 tackles, while Hawthorn's Tahlia Fellows was the VFL-W best on ground with four goals.
VFL-W 9.9 (63) def. SANFL-W 4.12 (36) @ Alberton Oval
Next weekend in your comp...
SANFL ROUND 3
Thursday April 17 @ 7:40pm
Norwood vs. Sturt; Coopers Stadium, Norwood
Friday April 18
West Adelaide vs. Woodville-West Torrens; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 2:10pm
North Adelaide vs. Central District; Prospect Oval @ 2:30pm
Glenelg vs. Adelaide; Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg @ 4:40pm
Port Adelaide vs. South Adelaide; Alberton Oval @ 7:10pm
VFL ROUND 4
Friday April 18
Brisbane vs Collingwood; Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich @ 12 noon
North Melbourne vs Carlton; Arden Street Oval @ 12 noon
Williamstown vs. Coburg; DSV Stadium, Point Gelibrand @ 1pm
Frankston vs. Richmond; Kinetic Stadium, Frankston @ 7:30pm
Saturday April 19
Casey vs. GWS Giants; Casey Fields @ 11am
Southport vs. Gold Coast; Fankhauser Reserve, Southport @ 12 noon
Sydney vs Werribee; Blacktown ISP @ 12 noon
Port Melbourne vs. Essendon; ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne @ 7:10pm
Sunday April 20 @ 2pm
Geelong vs. Box Hill; GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Footscray vs. Sandringham; Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray
Nthn Bullants BYE
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
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