Rd 11 Previews

[Wedgie]

From the Budget:

CAN THE TIGERS TAUNT THE DOGS AGAIN?

Remember Easter Saturday at the Adelaide Oval? Sure it was an innovative double-header scheduled by the SANFL, but it’s the early game that sticks in the memory as the first major upset of the season.
It was a game which signalled Glenelg’s return as a genuine finals contender, and one that sent shockwaves through the northern suburbs – and the rest of the competition - that Central District’s reign at the top may be over.
Fast forward two months from the Tigers’ incredible 95-point hammering of the Bulldogs in Round 3 and the sides meet again this weekend. This time the battleground is Glenelg Oval, and this time, expect a hungrier Dogs line-up.
The SANFL is hoping no AFL in Adelaide this weekend will result in crowd swells at the four local games, and with the quality of matches on offer, fans should be out in droves.
Prior to the Glenelg/Central re-match on Saturday afternoon, Norwood and the Eagles (Coopers Stadium) and Sturt and North Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) go head-to-head in two massive Friday night fights. Then on Sunday afternoon, South Adelaide hosts Port at Noarlunga in a return of the car horn! Yep, the Panthers are allowing supporters to park around the ground to watch the match. The atmosphere should be fantastic!

REDLEGS vs EAGLES
How important was Norwood’s six-point win over Sturt last weekend? Courtesy of the result, the Redlegs are back in top five contention and enter their home clash against the Eagles with a rejuvenated attitude.
But the Eagles outfit is proving a tough nut to crack and will start as a warm favourite. Ron Fuller’s men have been in superb touch, winning five in a row to sit just 0.39% off top spot.
The Eagles can also take confidence from their current winning streak against the Legs. They’ve won the past eight encounters, with Norwood’s last win back in the 2002 First Semi-Final.

DOUBLE BLUES vs ROOSTERS
A glance at the North Adelaide injury list shows a host of stars are set to return, including AFL experienced Simon Cox, Steven Koops and Daniel Hargraves, which is bad news for opposition clubs.
Sturt will escape the full force of North’s revived line-up, but with a battle for senior spots set to start in earnest at Prospect, there’ll be no reprieve for the Blues. The Roosters are top and they want to stay there!
Last week’s loss to Norwood was devastating for Sturt, which now seems out of the finals race, with the red-and-white army determined to inflict some devastation of its own.

TIGERS vs BULLDOGS
Glenelg 22.16 (148) defeated Central 7.11 (53) … that was the remarkable final score line from these sides’ last meeting in April, which has no doubt stuck in the minds of Bulldog players, coaches and supporters ever since.
It was Central’s worst loss since 1992 (which was also against Glenelg!) and is motivation enough for the reigning champ to turn the tables this weekend for a little payback.
The Bays are a strong unit though, and in front of their home crowd will be tough to beat, but pride is on the line for the Doggies, who should prevail to help erase their Round 3 memories.

PANTHERS vs MAGPIES
Car horns will be blaring at Noarlunga Oval on Sunday as supporters are invited to park around the ground in a real return to “grassroots” footy.
On the field, it’s an intriguing match-up. South is certainly good enough to win, but it just depends on whether its arsenal of guns all fire at the same time to blow away the Magpies. Too often in the past, too much has been left to too few in the navy blue strip.
Port is reeling from two consecutive losses and must bounce back. The Maggies will be buoyed by the fact they’ve won their past seven against the Panthers, and in perhaps the tightest match of the round, might just sneak home again.

Courtesy of the South Australian Football Budget
Story by Kieran Hall

[Wedgie]

My predictions:

The Eagles in a game closer than most expect.
North by 5-8 goals.
Central in a cliff hanger.
Panthers by 3 goals.

[mal]

Jeremy Clayton out with a knee injury is a blow to the magpies.
Waterhouse and Butcher have been named, cant believe that as
Waterhouse could not walk last week and Butcher must be seeing
stars after last weeks concussion.

Does anyone know how serious the Clayton injury is?

My tip a DRAW

Also special mention to Mark Demasi and Scott Webb who have
both announced thier retirements as well.

[Jimmy]

worked with webby for a bit at kelly sports...a good guy and well done on a long yet frustrating career (with injury).

tips this week

eags
norf
dogs
port

[Wedgie]

My predictions:

The Eagles in a game closer than most expect.
North by 5-8 goals.
Central in a cliff hanger.
Panthers by 3 goals.

2 out of 2 so far (in margin)
Put your money on central and South!

Edit: BUGGER! Just realised I picked Port in the $1000 comp at http://www.nafc.com.au
(I did pick North by 43pts though, only 2 pts out there! )