Previews of Rd 3 2006

[Wedgie]

From the Advertiser:

Norwood v Eagles
(Doug Robertson)
NORWOOD is in the box seat to set up its season with a timely win over the struggling Eagles in the second of the double-header at Adelaide Oval from 3.10pm on Saturday.

The Eagles' soft start and weakened line up give Norwood the opening to register a 3-0 win-loss start to the season with a winnable game against West Adelaide the week after.

Norwood is playing the tough brand of football that worries all opposition and it has an added needle with James Gallagher lining up for his 100th appearance. The Gallagher family - including grandfather Sam, uncle Phil, James and former Crow and Central District midfielder Marty McKinnon, a cousin - has set a club record for games played.

The Gallaghers have clocked up 538 league games and 18 for SA, edging out the Oatey family with 534 at The Parade and 16 state games.

Norwood has named Anthony Hill (hamstring) as a possible inclusion, perhaps providing the much-needed extra tall forward to stretch the Eagles' defence. Raw Robbie deJongh, at 202cm, is a bonus in the goalsquare.

But Jamie Vlatko must get the timing right and grab more marks overhead to do justice to the industrious midfielders.

Significantly, its lesser lights - recruit Heath Culpitt, Bryce Campbell, Gavin Hughes, Stephen Bailey, a more mature Paul James, Mitch Sandery and Matt Brunoli - are carrying the can at ground level.

If the old hands chip in more the Legs will be out of the blocks so fast the Eagles will rue another slow start. Statistics show they're getting enough of the ball but not using it properly and there's a worrying touch of nonchalance.

Ballgetters Gavin Colville and Peter Fiacchi plus Adam Spencer and lumbering Daniel Roberts have been named in a squad of 21 without knowing the immediate future of Crows Hayden Skipworth and Bernie Vince. But without ruckman Brad Dabrowski (hand) and Matt Cooper (jaw) the Eagles are again undermanned and only a fiery approach will give them a fighting chance in a high-stakes encounter.

Central v Glenelg
(Doug Robertson)
GLENELG also has a perfect opportunity to kick one of its tormentors when it's down when it faces injury-riddled Central District in the opening match from 12.15pm. One win doesn't make a season but it's been like finals time at the Bay as the Tigers, who beat the Eagles on Saturday, attempt back-up wins for the first time since rounds 7-9 last year.

Glenelg, which needs more from Jarrad Sundqvist and John Hinge, would have gone in unchanged but Bryce Gibbs and James Sellar were claimed for the International Rules series against Ireland starting in Melbourne tonight. Their absence opened the door for Trevor Cranston (196cm) at half-forward and Marcus Burdett but Angas Lally also has claims. The Tigers will cut the squad of 25 tonight.

The reduced Dogs face a real battle but have included captain Nathan Steinberner, been gifted pacy Power midfielder Elijah Ware and possible debutant Reece Francis. A solidly-built midfielder recruited from the West Coast, Francis spent most of last season at Mallala.

Doubt lingers on star forwards Daniel Schell and Luke Cowan with back strains and the Dogs will struggle to win if they don't front up. Richard Cochrane (hamstring) and Adam Switala (cheekbone) are out from last week.

South v West
(Zac Milbank)
SOUTH Adelaide's last visit to Encounter Bay was a memorable one - for all the wrong reasons.

Playing in front of nearly 3500 fans at the seaside location, the Panthers were taught a football lesson by then reigning premier Sturt to the tune of 93 points.

Expect the result against West Adelaide on Saturday to be extremely different.

Captain Clay Sampson is one of the few Panthers remaining from that dismal April day in 2003.

And the skipper will almost certainly remind those playing this week of the sheer disappointment felt after such a poor showing in the club's country zone.

Unlike three years ago, the Panthers would be slight favourites on the back of a spirited display against North Adelaide in round one.

Former Eagles forward Dale Ellis is poised to make his debut for South, which also added Mark Demasi and Jarrad Wright to its squad. Vice-captain Mathew Smith will miss the next four weeks with a broken arm.

The Bloods have named high-flying Darwin forward Ashley Wedding at full forward for his possible debut. His presence should ease the pressure felt by inexperienced Adrian Bonaddio to be West's chief goalscorer.

Coach Wayne Weidemann will be notified today about the availability of AFL trio Jason Porplyzia, Luke Jericho (Crows) and James Ezard (Power).

[MightyEagles]

Eagles, Dogs and South for me.

[doggies4eva]

Its a big game fgor the doggies - we are equal on total games won since inception so we need a win to put us ahead of the tiger.

[Ecky]

Its a big game fgor the doggies - we are equal on total games won since inception so we need a win to put us ahead of the tiger.

If you guys win, it would actually be the first time EVER that Centrals have been ahead of Glenelg on wins.

[doggies4eva]

Its a big game fgor the doggies - we are equal on total games won since inception so we need a win to put us ahead of the tiger.

If you guys win, it would actually be the first time EVER that Centrals have been ahead of Glenelg on wins.

OK don't rub it in or I'll start talking about premierships.

[Rik E Boy]

Payback time Mutants. Go the Redlegs. Dogs should be a bit wary also. Panters to win the encounter at the bay.

regards,

REB

[Booney]

Norwood,Central,South.

Gone are the days when picking Norwood was considered a joke by your mates! (It should be back by round 15)

[Dissident]

Norwood
Centrals
South


What do all those teams have in common?


**** knows - as long as they all win.

[doggies4eva]

Norwood
Centrals
South


What do all those teams have in common?


**** knows - as long as they all win.

They've all got blue in their colours.

[Rik E Boy]

Norwood,Central,South.

Gone are the days when picking Norwood was considered a joke by your mates! (It should be back by round 15)

Unfortunately, the days of Port supporters being a pain in the ar5e remain

regards,

REB

[TroyGFC]

Bays, Norwood and South to win.

[Wedgie]

Does everyone realises that if Norwood wins on Saturday they'll be top of the ladder!!!!

[sydney-dog]

Dogs should bounce back
I think we are still a long way away from having a full fit list and playing our best footy
Hopefully like last year, we will get stronger and better as the gets on and be playing our best footy at the right time of the year

[Jimmy]

legs
dogs
paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanthers

[Rik E Boy]

Does everyone realises that if Norwood wins on Saturday they'll be top of the ladder!!!!

Hasn't even crossed my mind Wedge

regards,

REB

[Thiele]

Eagles
Centrals
West

Hope u all have a good easter

[CENTURION]

2 draws & West will forfeit.

[Apachebulldog]

Norwood,South for me, if Schelly and Cowans play the Dogs if not, too bad we lose !!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF !!!!!!

[am Bays]

I think we are getting the Dogs at the perfect time, injuries and form, mean they are not in premiership winning form, but I think they maybe too strong for us even then.

All I ask is for a hard four quarter effort by the boys and the scoreboard will take care of itself. Opportunity for our boys to back up two weeks in a row if they want to!!

Dogs in a close one, however.[/i]

[Coorong]

Dogs by plenty..... 60 + points, West by 30 and legs by 17 for me.