Eagles vs North Adelaide - 1st Semi Final

[eaglehaslanded]

The Eagles and North have battled each other in eight previous finals, the Eagles holding a 5-3 advantage. The Eagles have won the only previous 1st Semi between the two teams.

[Mr Fuller]

Our growing injury list is now ridiculous with Allmond out for 2 weeks.

With Heath also withdrawing the eagles need to bring in 2 new players.

Our backline at the moment is far too short and this was exposed on the weekend where Westie’s forwards were able to take some fairly easy pack marks. Thompson and Ellis-Yolman are not great spoilers.

That being said we come up against a team who have perhaps 2 of the best tall forwards in the SANFL – Stewart and Johnstone. So we need another tall defender. I’d assume Von Bertouch would come in. The other option is to go with Day who has been in some good form in the reserves but has had a shocker of a year in the league side whenever elevated.

What about the other player? With Allmond out I can’t think of any obvious replacement as a midfielder. I think Godden will have to pull a surprise and pull out an unknown. I don’t really rate Schwarz or Blessing.

[SDK]

Hard to pick this one, think I might stay with the Eagles.

[Ian]

Hard to pick this one, think I might stay with the Eagles.

The Eagles would still have to be huge favourites, as good as North were Sunday, 1 good performance in 7 weeks is hardly great form to be going into a Semi, Eagles by 35+

[eaglehaslanded]

Thornton Sportsbet Odds
Eagles $1.70
North Adelaide $2.10

[eaglehaslanded]

Von Bertouch would be a likely inclusion this week. Another option maybe Aaron Day.

[RB]

I'm liking von Bertouch. As for Allmond, I think the best/most in form of Blesing, Muirhead, Schwarz should do OK in for Allmond. (Would be really handy if Rowntree wasn't injured.)

[Mr Fuller]

What about Sam Martyn?

And what happened to Karpany who looked really good earlier in the season?

[MightyEagles]

What about Sam Martyn?

And what happened to Karpany who looked really good earlier in the season?

U18s?

[Aerie]

I was thinking Sam Martyn to replace Allmond. Might be suited to the open expanses of Footy Park.

Would expect Fitzgerald to replace Staple. I like Staple's work rate but he is so out of form I can't see how he can get picked in front of Fitzgerald. Get Ainger up to CHF and just get him to work hard as a target through half forward with Fitzgerald. Put Salter in the goal square. I'm sick of seeing Salter wasting energy chasing around at half forward or in the midfield, get him to the goal front and give him some space - he is the only one I could see kicking a bag.

Would like to see Muirhead replace Heath. He should've played half the season already anyway.

Would not be against Von Bertoch replacing Thompson if Thompson won't be with the Eagles next season.

Godden needs to lay it on the line to Sumner. He has massively underperformed since he was suspended a couple of months ago.

A loss on Sunday would be a disappointing way to finish an overall good season. I reckon the team has played a little above expectation and don't expect a lot. A win would cap off the season well and anything more than a Prelim Final would be a huge result given the loss of experience over the off-season and the injuries to key players throughout the year.

[eaglehaslanded]

I'm liking von Bertouch. As for Allmond, I think the best/most in form of Blesing, Muirhead, Schwarz should do OK in for Allmond. (Would be really handy if Rowntree wasn't injured.)

If you're looking at the most in form out of those three you'd be looking at Muirhead.

[Mr Fuller]

By the sounds of it, Carey is in the mix as well although he is not up to it either. I think you are right in that Martyn might be the way to go.

Agree that Staple needs to be omitted. Trouble is, when he isn’t playing well he is not able to play another position. At least with Fitzgerald he can go down back. Fitzgerald just impresses me each time he plays and always seems to kick a couple of goals. He might not have the movement of Staple but he is a much better grab and has ‘footy smarts’.

Ainger needs to demonstrate he can fire up against the better teams in the competition. Most of his bags of goals come against the weaker sides but he has often gone missing in the big games. I thought he looked better at CHF then FF personally so I would go with him there as well. Yes Salter needs to start at FF. He is a proven goal kicker although I think he has actually been good for us in short bursts in the midfield.

I don’t know much about Muirhead but I’m really not expecting much from whoever comes into replace Allmond. We really are scraping the barrel right now.

Sumner has been so up and down this year. I’ve noticed he really doesn’t like body contact which is a weakness for a defender. He often plays wide of them and waits for his opponent to get the ball first and then hopes to tackle them. On the weekend a few times West isolated him one on one in the forward fifty and their small forward easily outmarked him. Having said that, his kicking is an asset and his drive out of defence is important. We just need him to go a bit harder and more direct.

I’m not at all confident about this one. I think the result will be close but I think North will get up by a couple of goals.

[RB]

Completely agree with the comments re Ainger at CHF, and Staple being dropped. After doing OK in round 23 Staple was shocking on Sunday. I've always thought he was a B-grader. Fitzgerald would be the obvious replacement and someone who has I think been unlucky to play only a handful of league games this season.

As for dropping Thomo because he won't be around next year, I see where you're coming from Aerie but I think he's definitely in our best 21 and I would be reluctant to drop someone for that reason given that we'll likely be making at least a couple of changes anyway.

[RB]

I'm liking von Bertouch. As for Allmond, I think the best/most in form of Blesing, Muirhead, Schwarz should do OK in for Allmond. (Would be really handy if Rowntree wasn't injured.)

If you're looking at the most in form out of those three you'd be looking at Muirhead.

OK. Thought he looked alright in the couple of A-grade games he played. Should be fresh - I think we need someone who can run.

[dedja]

straight sets for the Eagles ...

[Boundary rider]

What about Sam Martyn?

And what happened to Karpany who looked really good earlier in the season?

Karpany had his first game back from injury in the U/18's last week and was a little underdone. I expect he will play in the 18's again this week though there may be a spot or two in the reserves that needs filling.

[CENTURION]

straight sets for the Eagles ...

yup. North by 6 goals.

[Ian]

straight sets for the Eagles ...

yup. North by 6 goals.

Stop teasing us, you only get to be right once a season

[bulldogproud2]

North by 63 points

[silent hour]

Only on what I have seen when Westies played each side this season and also what I saw of both sides last week North by 27 points, Johnston to kick 6 goals.