Rd 9 West v South Review Thread

[Thiele]

from the Sunday Mail

THE agonising wait is finally over for long-suffering West Adelaide fans. More than nine months after last tasting victory, the Bloods broke the drought with a 22-point triumph over a disappointing South Adelaide at Broadspectrum yesterday. The Bloods had not played their club song in triumph since round 19 last year when they also beat the Panthers.

In wonderful scenes of emotion, the Bloods fans released their built up frustration by acknowledging the players as heroes as they walked from the field.

Even coach Andy Collins, so often a winner throughout his illustrous career as a player and then as a coach, admitted to emotional feelings after claiming his first win with the club.

''I was quite emotional and I think the players were,'' Collins said. ''Behind the scenes, no matter how people perceive how we are playing, the players are training very hard to change the way we play.

''Habits have been formed over many years and we have only been here for a short time. We are still geling. I was emotional but I had a big smile.''

Those emotions were contrasting to his demeanor at quarter-time when the Panthers had kicked six goals to one and led by 28 points.

Panthers full forward Ben Warren had four goals beside his name after impressive lead-up work from a midfield which had secured control.

Mathew Smith, James Boyd and Michael Handby were getting their hands to plenty of ball and the Panthers constantly charged forward.

The Bloods, as has been a concern this season, were guilty of careless turnovers, lacked cohesion and too often there was confusion among team-mates.

With Simon McCormick having a heavy influence the Bloods crept back into the contest in the second term. The Panthers were the ones who became hesitant and indecisive to cough up numerous clumsy turnovers.

When Ryan Willits goaled midway through the third term the committed Bloods led for the first time, fueling confidence and a fierce desire for success. Willits had a huge impact and when he was not marking, he ensured a contest in attack and his second and third efforts were tremendous.

Persistence was rewarded for the Bloods as they scrambled to a 17-point advantage early in the last term.

The Panthers did not kick a goal from the 24th minute of the first period until seven minutes into then last when Warren bagged his fifth for the day.

South cut the deficit to just three points but the Bloods would not be denied.

Daniel Caire nailed two goals and hard-working Peter Walsh one to spark the Bloods' well-deserved celebrations.

''We were doing the right things in the first quarter,'' South coach Jack Cahill said. ''Too many players are a bit fragile going for the ball and not hitting the ball hard enough.''

RESULTS:

WEST ADELAIDE 1.4 4.6 7.12 11.14 (80)

SOUTH ADELAIDE 6.2 6.4 6.8 8.10 (58)

BEST - West: McCormick, Walsh, Willits, Rowe, Brown, Thompson, Neaves. South: Warren, Boyd, Otten, Handby, Thewlis.

SCORERS - West: Willits 2.4, McCormick, Fisher 2.1, Caire 2.0, Pratt 1.1, Ferguson, Walsh 1.0, Hassan, Bailey, Piasente, Buckley, Brown, Vanderhaak 0.1, rushed 0.1. South: Warren 6.0, Ellis 1.2, Turner 1.0, Thewlis, Sandery, Iljcesen, Rolfe 0.1, rushed 0.4.

INJURIES - South: Prendergast (shin soreness).

UMPIRES - D. Woodcock, T. Medlin, R. Williams.

CROWD - 1213 at Broadspectrum Oval.

[phantom57]

Well done Westies......West Adelaide and West Coast - a wonderfull day for the football faithfull!!!!!

[goraw]

it was always gunna happen wasnt it? easy money!! had 100 on a winless side and always felt it all week.

[saintal]

Appalling effort after 1/4 time. Really was. Very disheartening

B. Warren has kicked 10 of our 13 goals in the past 2 weeks. Says it all really.

[NFC]

1213. Awesome crowd.

[dash61]

1213. Awesome crowd.

Most were West Adelaide faithful

But as the 5 RPH commentors said "the reception the players got was as good as we have seen all year and you wouldnt have got more noise if there was 10,000 there. It was a great feeling and hopefully a few more will venture to prospect to see Westies play North Adelaide in a few weeks.

[nickname]

1213. Awesome crowd.

1.3. Awesome score.

[westies sarge]

1213. Awesome crowd.

1.3. Awesome score.

ROFLMAO
atleast west arn't that bad 1.3.9 hahahahahahahahhaha

[am Bays]

1213. Awesome crowd.

1.3. Awesome score.

ROFLMAO
atleast west arn't that bad 1.3.9 hahahahahahahahhaha

Don't get too far ahead of yourself Westies Sarge, you lost to them.....

[NFC]

1213. Awesome crowd.

1.3. Awesome score.

Awesome ladder.

[mr o]

i agree with otc, for the recruiting area south have got, and have done so little for so long, they have big problems at the top, nothing to do with the coach or coaching staff. its time to clear out the top decks, just like we did at westies, by the way, its not about one win, its about the long term plan

[Sojourner]

they have big problems at the top, nothing to do with the coach or coaching staff. its time to clear out the top decks,

Since 1964 the club has done that very thing several times over, the most recent being several ex players taking over positions on the board. Each time it has resulted in no improvement at all and this time appears to be no different.....

[Sploosh]

Could any Westies fan give me a few details about how Brad Wilson (#36, I believe) is going? Is he playing mostly/always in the league team this year? How is his form?

[Thiele]

Could any Westies fan give me a few details about how Brad Wilson (#36, I believe) is going? Is he playing mostly/always in the league team this year? How is his form?

Wilo misssed some pre season training been playing reserves

[Peterxtc]

1213. Awesome crowd.

1.3. Awesome score.

Onya nick

[Broadie]

West Adelaide and West Coast - a wonderfull day for the football faithfull!!!!!

I know how you feel, the football Gods were smiling.

[panthers 2008]

You cannot blame the coaching staff of the panthers,there is not much they can do with the players they have got.Mitch Sandery needs a vacation in the reserves,(for the entire season)and the likes of Travis Baird,Ben Neagle,Denis Illjscen,Gerard Bennet,Dale Ellis and a few more need to pull there socks up and think long and hard about their COMMITMENT to the navy blue and white! Not deliberately singling out players just telling it like it is!
Time to look to the future of the club,and half of it is certainly not playing in the league team!!
Gees if they cannot get inspired to play for the club I am willing to go into the rooms for some pre game home truths!!

[am Bays]

I reckon you blokes will take out the wooden spoon still, your right with one thing, you are a rabble!
Jack will pull the pin end of year as he'll realise that mob can't be helped & he wouldn't like what its doing to his reputation as far as a coach.

And here is me thinkking you know the man.....so much for the end of the year....

[NFC]

1213. Awesome crowd.

1.3. Awesome score.

Awesome ladder.

Onya NFC.