Preview of Rd 4 2006 - From the Budget

The season may only be three rounds old, but the Magpies have already stamped themselves as a genuine premiership contender. And they can strengthen their claims this weekend by beating South Adelaide.
Port and South meet at Alberton Oval in one of two Saturday afternoon matches for Round 4. The other sees West Adelaide host Norwood at Broadspectrum Oval where the Bloods are hoping to register their first win of the season … and their first for coach Wayne Weidemann.
And while the action will be fast and furious on Saturday, Round 4 kicks off on Friday night with North and Sturt going head-to-head at Adelaide Oval. Both sides are fresh from a bye and have different reasons for pursuing victory – the Roosters are hell-bent on maintaining their unblemished record, while the Double Blues are in search of their first win for 2006.
The round then concludes on Tuesday when Central District and the Eagles square off in the Anzac Day Grand Final re-match at Adelaide Oval. Both sides have plenty to prove. The Eagles will be motivated by yet another Grand Final loss to the Dogs last October, while the northerners need only look back to last Saturday’s humiliation against Glenelg for ample incentive to bounce back.
ROOSTERS vs DOUBLE BLUES
We all know North Adelaide has improved again this year, with recruits Dean Howard, Leigh Ryswyk and Brett O’Hara fitting in to a potent Roosters outfit which seems destined for a top-three finish. But what about Sturt?
The Double Blues have a strong line-up on paper, but as evidenced by two losses to start the year, footy isn’t played on paper!
These sides normally put on a good show for spectators, so a high-scoring, close contest wouldn’t surprise, but North should be too strong on this occasion.
MAGPIES vs PANTHERS
The Panthers sang their club song last Saturday for the first time since June last year, and will be hoping for an encore performance against Port.
However, it will be a silent changeroom come 5pm if South isn’t right on its game, with the Magpies aiming to add the Panthers to their list of 2006 victims, which currently consists of West and Central.
There is some exciting ex-AFL talent on display in this clash, including former Essendon teammates Marc Bullen (Port) and Damian Cupido (South), which will hopefully translate to a ripping contest.
BLOODS vs REDLEGS
It’s not panic stations at West Adelaide just yet, but the pressure is rising on rookie coach Wayne Weidemann to deliver his and the club’s first triumph for 2006.
And the Bloods will fancy their chances playing on home soil against a team they’ve beaten in seven of their past eight meetings. They need to lift though.
Coming off a deflating two-point loss to the Eagles, the Redlegs are rueing the fact they aren’t sitting three-zip at the moment and will be out to make amends this Saturday. They should deliver.
BULLDOGS vs EAGLES
In October last year, Central and the Eagles played off in the 2005 Grand Final. Fast forward to three rounds into the 2006 season and it’s hard to comprehend that both clubs are sitting outside the five.
The Bulldogs have had the wood on the Eagles in recent years, but there must be some scarring from last weekend’s massive loss to the Bays, which Ron Fuller and his men will no doubt try and gouge open.
An Anzac Day battle, a Grand Final re-match and a hell of a lot of pride is on the line. It’ll be hard, it’ll be tough, it’ll definitely be worth watching!
Port and South meet at Alberton Oval in one of two Saturday afternoon matches for Round 4. The other sees West Adelaide host Norwood at Broadspectrum Oval where the Bloods are hoping to register their first win of the season … and their first for coach Wayne Weidemann.
And while the action will be fast and furious on Saturday, Round 4 kicks off on Friday night with North and Sturt going head-to-head at Adelaide Oval. Both sides are fresh from a bye and have different reasons for pursuing victory – the Roosters are hell-bent on maintaining their unblemished record, while the Double Blues are in search of their first win for 2006.
The round then concludes on Tuesday when Central District and the Eagles square off in the Anzac Day Grand Final re-match at Adelaide Oval. Both sides have plenty to prove. The Eagles will be motivated by yet another Grand Final loss to the Dogs last October, while the northerners need only look back to last Saturday’s humiliation against Glenelg for ample incentive to bounce back.
ROOSTERS vs DOUBLE BLUES
We all know North Adelaide has improved again this year, with recruits Dean Howard, Leigh Ryswyk and Brett O’Hara fitting in to a potent Roosters outfit which seems destined for a top-three finish. But what about Sturt?
The Double Blues have a strong line-up on paper, but as evidenced by two losses to start the year, footy isn’t played on paper!
These sides normally put on a good show for spectators, so a high-scoring, close contest wouldn’t surprise, but North should be too strong on this occasion.
MAGPIES vs PANTHERS
The Panthers sang their club song last Saturday for the first time since June last year, and will be hoping for an encore performance against Port.
However, it will be a silent changeroom come 5pm if South isn’t right on its game, with the Magpies aiming to add the Panthers to their list of 2006 victims, which currently consists of West and Central.
There is some exciting ex-AFL talent on display in this clash, including former Essendon teammates Marc Bullen (Port) and Damian Cupido (South), which will hopefully translate to a ripping contest.
BLOODS vs REDLEGS
It’s not panic stations at West Adelaide just yet, but the pressure is rising on rookie coach Wayne Weidemann to deliver his and the club’s first triumph for 2006.
And the Bloods will fancy their chances playing on home soil against a team they’ve beaten in seven of their past eight meetings. They need to lift though.
Coming off a deflating two-point loss to the Eagles, the Redlegs are rueing the fact they aren’t sitting three-zip at the moment and will be out to make amends this Saturday. They should deliver.
BULLDOGS vs EAGLES
In October last year, Central and the Eagles played off in the 2005 Grand Final. Fast forward to three rounds into the 2006 season and it’s hard to comprehend that both clubs are sitting outside the five.
The Bulldogs have had the wood on the Eagles in recent years, but there must be some scarring from last weekend’s massive loss to the Bays, which Ron Fuller and his men will no doubt try and gouge open.
An Anzac Day battle, a Grand Final re-match and a hell of a lot of pride is on the line. It’ll be hard, it’ll be tough, it’ll definitely be worth watching!