Round 14 Preview
Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:32 pmFrom the Budget:
EAGLES / BULLDOGS RESUME MODERN DAY RIVALRY
They’re the two youngest clubs in the competition but Woodville-West Torrens and Central District have laid the foundations for the SANFL’s keenest modern day rivalry, with another chapter to be added at Woodville Oval this weekend.
After playing off in the Grand Final again last year, both clubs endured tardy openings to 2006, yet both have managed to turn their seasons around. The Eagles enter this top-three clash on a six-game winning stretch, while the Bulldogs have won five on the trot. Someone’s streak is about to end.
While the Eagles/Central clash deserves blockbuster status, much of the focus will be on Adelaide Oval, which hosts its second double-header of the year. In the early game, West will be out to devastate Norwood’s eroding finals chances, while the disappointing Double Blues play a rejuvenated Magpies outfit in the late game.
To round out a scintillating day of footy, North Adelaide hosts South Adelaide at Prospect Oval in what shapes as a gem. The Roosters are defending top spot, while the Panthers have stepped up their major round mission and are aiming to string together their fourth consecutive win.
EAGLES vs BULLDOGS
Central District has inflicted so much pain on the Eagles in recent seasons that their match-ups these days always tend to have that extra bit of spice.
Arguably the League’s form side at the moment, the Eagles will be hoping their bye last weekend has no adverse affects on their six-game winning streak, although considering the heavy conditions Central – and the rest of the competition - had to contend with last weekend, their fresh legs could prove the difference.
The Bulldogs were hardly convincing against lowly West last Saturday, but given their inconsistency this year, it wouldn’t surprise to see them take things up a notch or two here.
BLOODS vs REDLEGS
Where would Westies be without Ben Haynes? The former Bomber has been a stand-out at the club this year, leading the League in kicks and only trailing Port centre half-back John Baird for most marks. Oh yeah, he’s also booted 29 goals – more than a quarter of the Bloods’ total output!
If West is to win this weekend, it needs more from Haynes’ teammates. Admittedly, the Bloods were dogged in their narrow loss to Central last Saturday, but until they can muster a four-quarter team effort, they’ll continue to lose.
Add to this the fact Norwood is playing for its season and it should be a comfortable red-and-blue victory.
DOUBLE BLUES vs MAGPIES
Sturt’s season is all but over. The club has managed just two wins from 11 outings so far and on form has absolutely no chance of making the finals.
Playing devoid of confidence, the Blues will surely find something against their black-and-white enemy – a side it has beaten in four of their past five meetings. Don’t bet on it though.
Coach Brenton Phillips foreshadowed an injection of youth into the team following last Saturday’s insipid 14-goal loss to the Panthers, but unless some of the under-performing older heads lift their game, the misery will continue.
ROOSTERS vs PANTHERS
What a mouth-watering contest we have here between two exciting, free-running teams. Indeed, North and South are ranked one and two respectively as the highest scoring sides in the comp.
With so many potential match-winners on either side, it’s hard to predict what might unfold at Prospect other than to say it will be a highly entertaining game.
Amazingly, the Panthers have won their past six matches on the Roosters’ home deck, and could make it seven if the Cupido/Warren tag-team warms up again. But based on consistency, North should get the two points.
Courtesy of The South Australian Football Budget
Story by Kieran Hall
EAGLES / BULLDOGS RESUME MODERN DAY RIVALRY
They’re the two youngest clubs in the competition but Woodville-West Torrens and Central District have laid the foundations for the SANFL’s keenest modern day rivalry, with another chapter to be added at Woodville Oval this weekend.
After playing off in the Grand Final again last year, both clubs endured tardy openings to 2006, yet both have managed to turn their seasons around. The Eagles enter this top-three clash on a six-game winning stretch, while the Bulldogs have won five on the trot. Someone’s streak is about to end.
While the Eagles/Central clash deserves blockbuster status, much of the focus will be on Adelaide Oval, which hosts its second double-header of the year. In the early game, West will be out to devastate Norwood’s eroding finals chances, while the disappointing Double Blues play a rejuvenated Magpies outfit in the late game.
To round out a scintillating day of footy, North Adelaide hosts South Adelaide at Prospect Oval in what shapes as a gem. The Roosters are defending top spot, while the Panthers have stepped up their major round mission and are aiming to string together their fourth consecutive win.
EAGLES vs BULLDOGS
Central District has inflicted so much pain on the Eagles in recent seasons that their match-ups these days always tend to have that extra bit of spice.
Arguably the League’s form side at the moment, the Eagles will be hoping their bye last weekend has no adverse affects on their six-game winning streak, although considering the heavy conditions Central – and the rest of the competition - had to contend with last weekend, their fresh legs could prove the difference.
The Bulldogs were hardly convincing against lowly West last Saturday, but given their inconsistency this year, it wouldn’t surprise to see them take things up a notch or two here.
BLOODS vs REDLEGS
Where would Westies be without Ben Haynes? The former Bomber has been a stand-out at the club this year, leading the League in kicks and only trailing Port centre half-back John Baird for most marks. Oh yeah, he’s also booted 29 goals – more than a quarter of the Bloods’ total output!
If West is to win this weekend, it needs more from Haynes’ teammates. Admittedly, the Bloods were dogged in their narrow loss to Central last Saturday, but until they can muster a four-quarter team effort, they’ll continue to lose.
Add to this the fact Norwood is playing for its season and it should be a comfortable red-and-blue victory.
DOUBLE BLUES vs MAGPIES
Sturt’s season is all but over. The club has managed just two wins from 11 outings so far and on form has absolutely no chance of making the finals.
Playing devoid of confidence, the Blues will surely find something against their black-and-white enemy – a side it has beaten in four of their past five meetings. Don’t bet on it though.
Coach Brenton Phillips foreshadowed an injection of youth into the team following last Saturday’s insipid 14-goal loss to the Panthers, but unless some of the under-performing older heads lift their game, the misery will continue.
ROOSTERS vs PANTHERS
What a mouth-watering contest we have here between two exciting, free-running teams. Indeed, North and South are ranked one and two respectively as the highest scoring sides in the comp.
With so many potential match-winners on either side, it’s hard to predict what might unfold at Prospect other than to say it will be a highly entertaining game.
Amazingly, the Panthers have won their past six matches on the Roosters’ home deck, and could make it seven if the Cupido/Warren tag-team warms up again. But based on consistency, North should get the two points.
Courtesy of The South Australian Football Budget
Story by Kieran Hall
