by Big Phil » Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:10 pm
Went down to Noarlunga today to get my SANFL fix for the first time in 2010. For those interested, here are the scores, better players and my highlights from both games...
RESERVES:
SOUTH: 0.0 2.0 4.3 8.8 = 56
EAGLES: 1.5 3.8 6.10 7.12 = 54
Panthers by 2 points
GOAL KICKERS:
SOUTH: B.Warren 2.1, M.Leonard, S.Elliot 1.1, L.Bowd, S.Livingston, L.Schmidt, T.Johnson 1.0, X.Gotch 0.1, Rushed 0.4
EAGLES: G.Dawson 1.3, J.Polec 1.2, L.Thompson, S.Lewis, 1.1, L.McMahon, A.Matz, B.English 1.0, B.Smith, C.Fitzgerald, J.Brusnahan, A.Poole 0.1, Rushed 0.1
BETTER PLAYERS:
SOUTH: L.Bowd, L.Schmidt, D.Williams, S.Elliot, D.Joyce, B.Warren, X.Gotch
EAGLES: S.Lewis, J.Polec, J.Rimmington, P.Hoban, J.Allmond, L.Thompson
You could tell it was the first trial game for the year because at times the skill level from both sides was close to terrible. It was a tricky breeze to deal with that was basically blowing to the canteen on the hill down the North-East corner. Was very impressed with Luke Bowd on the ball, Leigh Schmidt up forward and the nippy D.Joyce for the Panthers. As mentioned, Ben Warren kicked the winner on the siren for South, he played reserves as he had a game of cricket to get to that afternoon for Langhorn Creek. Senior player Dylan Williams also won plenty of the ball across half back and used it well in windy conditions.
For the Eagles, former Blood and Tiger Scott Lewis racked up plenty of the ball and used it well through the midfield while the impressive and talented young 'Jarrad' brigade of Polec and Allmond also stood out for mine. James Rimmington was his usual hard at it self while Criag Fitzgerald impressed early before getting stretchered off with what looked to be a knee injury. Basketball convert Peter Hoban impressed with his natural leap in ruck which excited Eagles CEO Chris Davies while Adelaide Crows rookie Luke Thompson had a couple of classy moments including a very impressive running goal.
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LEAGUE:
EAGLES: 4.1 8.2 12.6 15.10 = 100
SOUTH: 2.1 5.3 6.3 7.6 = 48
Eagles by 52 points
GOAL KICKERS:
EAGLES: L.Staple 4.0, S.Welsh 3.0, T.Lane 2.3, A.Grocke, J.Cicolella 2.0, J.Cheep 1.2, D.Simmons 1.1, T.Corbett, C.Hicks 0.1, Rushed 0.2
SOUTH: N.Liddle 2.1, N.Lyons, J.Kennedy-Hunt, G.O'Keefe, J.Turner, A.Cockshell 1.0, P.Rolfe, M.Handby, J.Veide, D.Bass 0.1, Rushed 0.1
BETTER PLAYERS:
EAGLES: L.Jarrad, J.Cicolella, L.Treeby, J.Cheep, L.Staple, A.Rowntree, D.Symmons, S.Hill, T.Corbett, S.Gilhaus
SOUTH: N.Liddle, G.O'Keefe, M.Handby, D.Talia, A.Cockshell, B.Crabb, A.Splitt, J.Turner
Great to have the footy back, even if it was a trial and for the Eagles, under debutant coach Mick Godden, a comfortable first up win to kick start the year. With still some very experienced Eagles players sitting out of this game, it was the more experienced players who impressed most for the victors. Luke Jarrad was sensational off half back and provided plenty of run and drive while Justin Cicolella showed he still has what it takes to have an impact at league level.
Despite the tricky conditions at the wind swept Noarlunga Oval, the Eagles were too strong for Ron Fuller's men and proved to have a very impressive forward line capable of kicking big scores. Scott Welsh impressed with 3 goals, until badly dislocating his finger late in the game not to return, and the very talented Lee Staple stood up across half forward to bag 4 majors to be the games leading scorer.
Adam Grocke provided a contest as always in attack while Jay Cheep, Leigh Treeby and Angus Rowntree were very effective when the ball was at ground level. Seb Gilhaus was valiant in ruck but still needs to work on his disposal while young Lee Staple proved to be a strong focal point in attack with 4 majors. A couple of big hits in the game with Tom Corbett and his South opponent colliding heavily while the lively Dale Symmons took a spectacular mark only to land flat on his back hurting himself. Stuart Hill was also impressive in defence as well providing some good run.
For the home side, new coach Ron Fuller would be very pleased with the performance from 2 of his Victorian recruits. Nick Liddle was very impressive on the ball and up forward, kicking 2 goals for the Panthers and showing he'll take the step up from VFL to SANFL very comfortably. Guy O'Keefe showed some good pace and aggression as well spending time both in the middle and up forward. Crows recruit Daniel Talia showed poise and good skills from half back while Adam Cockshell was servicable in ruck and sweeping across the defensive line.
A very fit looking Michael Handby had plenty of possessions but still needs to improve his disposal when under pressure while acting skipper Brad Crabb had some good moments in defence. There is an obvious improvement from the Panthers under Fuller's reign with more pace and run from his side but there still needs to be some work done on their disposal and work rate when they turn the ball over. All in all, just an average game of footy, which is to be expected for this time of year, but great to be back at the SANFL.
Not sure why Port let him go unless it was money reasons!!
