Round 5 Previews from CK

Here are the Round 5 previews from Chris Kendall, courtesy of Sportsbeat and the SANFL

www.sanfl.com.au




2014 SANFL ROUND FIVE PREVIEWS

Glenelg v Norwood (Gilderol Stadium) – Friday 7.20pm

HEAD TO HEAD: Glenelg 91, Nwd 135, Drawn 1

LAST THREE ENCOUNTERS:
2013, Rnd 20: Nwd 97 (61) d Gl 8.5 (53)
2013, Rnd 14: Nwd 23.13 (!51) d Gl 7.7 (49)
2013, Rnd 2: Nwd 21.21 (147) d Gl 9.9. (63)

After some doomsayers predicted the Tigers may spend 2014 without singing the club song, they upset the Adelaide Reserves applecart to perfection last week. Despite some brief challenges, Glenelg always looked in command and relieved the pressure considerably at Brighton Road. The valve, however, has well and truly moved to the Parade, where the reigning premiers are staring at a 1-3 deficit after coughing up a winning position against North Adelaide. Their disposal by foot looks the most unsure it has for years and losing many prime movers in the off-season is finally starting to tell a tale for the Redlegs.
Norwood have not lost to Glenelg since 2011, but there must be some real danger signs here for them. They are having their share of forward 50 entries, but Michael Newton is struggling to convert his opportunities, and the Glenelg defenders will revisit the tape of last week’s game against Taylor Walker to see how they were able to restrict some of his leading space after half time. They will also not want to be too defensively oriented, however, and will aim to set the initiative themselves to put the Redlegs on the back foot early. If they can continue to push Norwood wide and deep around the flanks, it then gives them time to drop numbers back into defence to zone off and create from any turnovers. History would suggest the visitors, but there was a lot to like about Glenelg last week.
RADIO: 5RPH
Tip: Glenelg 1-12




North Adelaide v Sturt (Prospect Oval) – Saturday 2.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD: NA 110, ST 120, Drawn 4

LAST THREE ENCOUNTERS:
2013 Rnd 19: St 10.11 (71) d NA 7.11 (53)
2013 Rnd 12: NA 18.11 (119) d St 6.7 (43)
2013 Rnd 3: NA 17.16 (118) d St 14.8 (92)

Two teams who threw everything at their opposition in the final term last week, but with contrasting results. North’s barnstorming finish all over the top of Norwood was as impressive as it was comprehensive, with many of the younger players really taking the game by the throat. Sturt certainly had their chances against Woodville/West Torrens but were left to rue some highly gettable chances that left them just short of being one of only two undefeated teams this season. Michael Coad’s five goal haul will go close to netting him the Magarey Medal votes, but a lack of size at crucial times in defence hurt them.
Some of the older heads at Prospect have led from the front, with Todd Miles, Chad O’Sullivan, Leigh Ryswyk and Joe Anderson all having pivotal moments in the opening rounds. It will come down to whether some of the next level can rise to take the load against a very even Sturt combination that is not relying heavily on one to two players. Their spread of talent this season has been very impressive in a variety of roles, although they really need some consistent support for Angus Kurtze in ruck. A couple of crumbing forwards would also mix up the attack and stretch opposition defences that tend to zone to Matthew Duldig and Coad. Hard to confidently pick a winner in this one, but will just lean to the Roosters in what looms as a very entertaining shootout.
RADIO: 5RPH
Tip: North Adelaide 1-12






West Adelaide v Central District (City Mazda Stadium) – Sunday 2.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD: CD 70, WA 51, Drawn 1

LAST THREE ENCOUNTERS:
2013 Rnd 20 CD 10.15 (75) d WA 7.3 (45)
2013: Rnd 14 CD 10.9 (69) d WA 7.14 (58)
2013: Rnd 1 WA 16.9 (105) d CD 13.12 (90)

The Bloods woes continue, with a 58 point loss to Port last week. While the loss was no shame, the growing margin, with a 13.5 to 5.4 last half, does again raise questions about West’s ability to run out games fully at present. A growing injury list was not helped with Chris Schmidt being a late withdrawal with irregular heartbeat. Central certainly had their opportunities against South but it was skill errors at vital times that again left the Bulldogs lamenting at the final siren, despite a best afield display from Luke Habel, kicking 5.3.
The matches at this venue tend to be fairly even between the clubs and this looks no exception. Both teams are playing sound football in patches but are relying too heavily on the same names and really need some others to step up. Some of the recruits also need to take the step up and take some of the load, having had time to adjust to the pace of SANFL and their teammates styles. The battle of the forwards will be a highlight, with Blood Michael Still returning to form last week with four majors, while Bulldog Bryce Retzlaff’s fan club continues to build with his bullocking style winning over the faithful. Another flip of the coin, but there were some signs last week, despite the margin, that West may be on the edge of turning it around.
RADIO: Life FM
Tip: West Adelaide 13-24







Adelaide Reserves v Port Magpies (Clare Oval) – Saturday 2.10pm

FIRST MEETING

The inaugural SANFL showdown between the AFL clubs heads to Clare, with the match played in tribute to support the family of Max Redden, who passed away in tragic circumstances last year. Taking the match to the tight knit northern community will undoubtedly be a major boost for the region, as is the opportunity to showcase the sights of the area through television coverage.
A number of Adelaide’s younger players have been relishing the opportunity to work in the same group, with Charlie Cameron, James Battersby and Riley Knight among the new additions that have benefitted strongly from the arrangement. Similarly, Port’s younger players are all working to the same gameplan and being able to play with more experienced teammates like Cam O’Shea, Brett Renouf and Tom Logan to build their development further.
The match looks set to be a fast paced, frenetic style, particularly with a vocal neutral crowd behind them. The anticipated shootout between Adelaide’s Taylor Walker and Port’s John Butcher will take plenty of interest, while Magpie and ex-Mallala big man Angus Bruggemann should harness plenty of local support. Around the middle, Steven Summerton, fresh from a 39 disposal blitz against West, should find strong opposition from the likes of Adelaide’s Rory Atkins and possibly Ian Callinan, but if he and Ben Newton can break the shackles early, it may prove hard for Adelaide to reel them in. Jason Porplyzia will also be aiming for an improved outing after some modest returns to date. With a purists ruck battle between Renouf and Adelaide’s Angus Graham also being pivotal to the fortunes, tipping a winner here is one of the toughest in a ripper round. I’ll just lean to Adelaide to bring about a turnaround of form in causing the upset.

TV: 7MATE
Tip: Adelaide 1-12






South Adelaide v Woodville/West Torrens (Hickinbotham Oval) – Sunday 2.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD: SA 13. W/WT 47

LAST THREE ENCOUNTERS

2013, Rnd 19: W/WT 18.5 (113) d SA 6.9 (45)
2013, Rnd 11: W/WT 11.6 (72) d SA 4.9 (33)
2013 Rnd 6: W/WG 23.19 (157) d SA 6.7 (43)

The South juggernaut keeps rolling along, proving their new found mental resolve last week in withstanding a very spirited Central challenge before rallying late to keep their unbeaten record intact. Despite losing Lachlan Boyd for around a month and Daniel Bass for at least ten weeks due to injury, the Panthers were able to climb off the canvas and maintain their sizzling start to 2014. Woodville/West Torrens proved equally adept at keeping a spirited opponent at bay when defeating Sturt in arguably the most entertaining match of the SANFL season to date. The twin towers of Andrew Ainger and Michael Wundke combined for eight goals, as Luke Powell wound back the clock with a stellar midfield performance, particularly in the clearances.
The Panthers have generally struggled against the Eagles in recent years, but there is plenty of spice looming in this contest. Wundke and Ainger in opposition jumpers after solid service at South will keep their defence working all day, as will the challenge of keeping another ex-Panther, James Boyd under wraps. In saying that, Joel Cross and Nick Liddle have been working so strongly at the feet of Keegan Brooksby in ruck that Eagles mentor Michael Godden will have his own challenges in negating their influence and also trying to restrict the supply to league leading goalkicker Brett Eddy. His ability to find space and reward the midfield with accuracy has been a real feature of South’s early season dominance, so the matchup here will be critical. Patrick Guiffreda may get first look at that challenge, but it is possible a wildcard mobile option that can use their spring may surface, like Phil Raymond. After a long drought, South look set to continue their golden run.

RADIO: 5RPH
Tip: South Adelaide 13-24