Sportsbeat Friday August 10 2012

CK's Weekly SANFL Previews, and Opinion Piece, discussing the concept of Theme Rounds in SANFL

2012 SANFL ROUND 20 PREVIEWS

Norwood v South Adelaide (Coopers Stadium) – Friday 7.40pm

The brutality with which Norwood dismantled Sturt last week would have concerned South coach Ron Fuller, an interested observer at the match. The Redlegs toyed with the Double Blues for much of the game and the margin flattered Sturt ultimately.

South’s biggest issue this year is playing at home, and travelling may bring out the best in them normally. Unfortunately for them, Norwood are just in another league at present and don’t look like dropping a game at home for 2012. It would both take a monumental lapse in concentration for the Redlegs, and the Panthers playing a brand of football that they haven’t looked like showing in some time, for South to get over the top here. Unless they start believing in themselves and their spread of talent, a wasted year at Noarlunga looms. This could get ugly.

RADIO:Life FM
Tip: Norwood 49-60

Central District v West Adelaide (Playford Alive Oval) – Saturday 2.10pm

Fighting it out for second spot, there is little real advantage in doing so, but a psychological one, particularly for the Bloods. With a finals berth close to sewn up, they would still welcome the opportunity to prove to the competition that they have legitimate claims to push Norwood and Central in the premiership race.

West have not won at this ground since last century, so history appears against them, but winning streaks are there to be broken, and the Bloods are capable of going against the trend here. They need to move the ball quickly around the wide flanks, however, and not play any sort of short, chipping game that affords the Central defence time to drop back and crowd their leading space. The Bulldogs, however, are very adept at dictating terms in a match and can usually force the opposition into playing the game style that suits them best. When they can capitalise on the stellar form of Jack Hannath in ruck and get it through their midfield into attack, they are very difficult to stop. The nagging temptation is still here to pick West though, against all history.

TV: ABC-TV
Tip: West Adelaide 13-24

Port Adelaide v Glenelg (Alberton Oval) – Saturday 2.10pm

Both clubs fighting it out for a spot in the five, as Glenelg’s late season collapse really opens it up for rivals. They looked meek at times against North last week, but there are excuses with such a young list. Nearly half of that team was aged 21 or under, so it is to be fully expected that they will fold under pressure at times.

Port would be ready to fire after excellent wins over North and Central, before a solid effort in a loss to Norwood prior to the bye, and look to have the game style that would suit AAMI Stadium quite well. Their pace and ball gathering ability around the middle has been a key to running over the opposition of late, and some of their bigger bodies will also be difficult for Glenelg to contain for lengthy periods. The Tigers will also need to be wary of falling into their short, chipping game that has been brought undone quickly. Port are utilising a longer kicking game plan, and this will counter many Glenelg forays.

The Magpies should have enough in hand to pinch this one at home.

RADIO: 5RPH
Tip: Port Adelaide 13-24

Woodville/West Torrens v North Adelaide (Unleash Solar Oval) – Sunday 2.10pm

The finals charge for North is well and truly afoot, with their last three games being very strong and indicative of a team that could cause damage in September if they can make it. They are gelling at both ends of the ground and feeding off the dominance in ruck of Daniel Currie, are getting first use of the ball in the centre square at most contests. Even without triple Magarey Medallist James Allan, they are still proving potent in this frame of mind.

The Eagles can still make finals, but are playing Elimination Finals each week now and cannot afford to put a foot wrong in their quest to defend their title. They showed three weeks back with their second half against Sturt, that they can still flick a switch at times, but this is proving harder and harder to do on a consistent basis. They do look a little slow around the ground for leg speed and this may prove a crucial factor against the resurgent Roosters. Unless the Eagles can burst out of the blocks early and build a solid lead, it’s difficult to see them being able to hold sway, even at home.

RADIO: 5RPH
Tip: North Adelaide 25-36


THEME ROUNDS IN SANFL

The AFL has long pushed the idea of “Theme Rounds”. The concept celebrates a number of concepts, groups and people and all games in the round feature celebrations and events that revolve around the themes. Women’s Round, as an example, will recognise the enormous contributions that women make in our game, and have interviews from key female members of football, and has featured women’s football as curtain raisers to the main AFL game.

The SANFL has also adopted the concept in recent years, with themes such as the highly popular “Back To The 70’s” round in 2006, Multicultural Round, which recognises the contributions made from such a diverse range of cultures that have given so much to our game, and Indigenous Round, which celebrates the many indigenous players, administrators and support staff that bring so much to our game.

The latter theme was last round’s Theme, and the idea behind it was excellent. The SANFL has had so many indigenous participants that have made a massive impact on our game. David Kantilla, Michael Graham, Wilbur Wilson, Michael Long and Corey AhChee are just some of the names that have graced the field over the years and particularly in the case of Long, have made a massive impact at national level also. Most certainly, the impact made at suburban, regional and country level has been huge also and recognition of this is an absolute must.

Which is why the decision made to hold the Round on a weekend with only two games being played was one of the most mystifying of recent years. The festivities at The Parade on Friday night were impressive, but very little occurred at Prospect the next day, so the average observer at the North Adelaide v Glenelg game would have had only limited awareness of the theme of the round. Quite why the round could not have been held over to Round 20 – with a full program of games – is somewhat of a mystery and in some ways, reduced the excellent theme to a sideshow.

Future years should never have Feature Rounds as being anything less than full rounds, otherwise the perception grows that the idea is not fully supported. Unfortunately, these days of cost cutting across the board in sporting bodies can mean that there are less disposable funds to spend on festivities and the celebrations that may people may desire, but there are few excuses for this oversight occurring again.

The concept of Feature Rounds, however, is excellent and needs to be retained. Fans have shown their support for them in the past when they are done correctly and apart from last round’s oversight, the SANFL officialdom has largely got it right. It may be worth exploring a few ideas for future years, however:

1) Back To The 70’s/80’s: This round was excellent in 2006 and the idea of admitting fans free who dress up in discernable 70’s or 80’s gear, has plenty of merit. The clubs would compete in their most recognisable guernsey from the eras and familiar past players from the era would compete in a half time Legends Game.

2) Media Round: May seem a little self indulgent, but to recognise the impact the SANFL media has in the game. Fans would be invited to play a real role in TV and radio that day, for example, such as involvement in the broadcast, and a half time match on the Friday night between non-working SANFL media on the night could have novelty value.

3) Regional Round: For one round only, all games are played in the regional zones of four of the clubs (with the following year covering four of the remaining five clubs), to give the country fans a chance to see their heroes close up. For example, Sturt could host a home game at Mount Barker: South Adelaide play their home game at Kangaroo Island (a strong SANFL breeding ground that has never hosted a SANFL match); Glenelg hold their match at Mount Gambier and West Adelaide travel to Loxton North.

4) Reclink Round: Reclink is a body that seeks to promote sport as a means for the disadvantaged to gain the benefits of teamwork and fitness with others who are in similar situations. A round where disadvantaged citizens (concession card holders) are admitted free, with a free pie and drink (assuming a sponsor can be found), with Reclink promoting its services at each ground, and a half time match for Reclink participants, could provide a major boost for the organisation and open up SANFL further to new followers.