Round 18 - South v Sturt @ Hickinbotham Oval (Sat 23/8)

[blueandwhite]

great win by the Panthers...after a particularly uninspiring first half...the third quarter was just scintilating - 8 goals to 1 ,to virtually seal the victory. This was despite a Sturt comeback in the last quarter.
I thought that for South the defence of Crabb, Fields and Thewlis (35 disposals) were excellent. Gulden, veide and Cross were the best of the rest. The fact that we hit the scoreboard as often as we did with Eddy held goalless was a good sign.
great to be playing finals and Im pretty sure we wont be just making up the number. I think both clubs will be anxiously waiting for the washup of a couple of unsavoury incidents, one in particular on the halftime siren..

[johntheclaret]

3rd quarter was the difference.
Sturt looked good in 1st half - thought they kept South in the game in the 2nd term.

That said, South mucked around with the ball - kicking sideways & backwards, that was awful footy IMHO.
Then the change in the 3rd was completely different, started going direct & 'bugger me', kicked goals.
They will need to do that next week, if they hope to progress to the 1st Semi Final.

Go win though

Tough week for you next week LPH ?

[Wedgie]

I haven't , they will beat North Melbourne.

When?

[DOC]

Sometime in the future

[dedja]

3rd quarter was the difference.
Sturt looked good in 1st half - thought they kept South in the game in the 2nd term.

That said, South mucked around with the ball - kicking sideways & backwards, that was awful footy IMHO.
Then the change in the 3rd was completely different, started going direct & 'bugger me', kicked goals.
They will need to do that next week, if they hope to progress to the 1st Semi Final.

Go win though

Tough week for you next week LPH ?

Big test ...

[LPH]

OK... having already contacted my friends (spent 12 seasons straight, attending with them), I will be attending & looking forward to their company.
Although, I will no doubt be copping a bit all evening.

I am pleased that I can see Luke Powell's last game - yes, I think South will win.
Both my kids will also be attending - Boy is still an Eagles supporter, Daughter a Panther

To answer the question - yes, it will be an interesting 'internal struggle'.
That said, I will be supporting South - as I have all year.
Whilst Slaven (& his cronies) are still 'at the helm', I can not bring myself to support WWTFC - its simply a matter of principle.

2015? - At this stage it appears unlikely that I will continue to follow, support or contribute financially to the SANFL.
My interest in the SANFL is certainly diminishing quickly - which upsets me because it has been a significant part of my life for 40 odd years.

Some of my fondest memories are following my late Father around to suburban grounds when he was umpiring U19s, Reserves & League in the 70's & 80's. I saw Andrew Jarman as a 15 yr old dominate in a losing U17's Grand Final v Port @ Woodville Oval. I literally 'bumped' into Justin Madden's stomach (accidentally) in the 'tunnel' before a State of Origin game @ Footy Park - when the Teal Cup Team played Norwood U19s in the Curtain Raiser. I was in the Woodville Cheer Squad during the 1986 1st Semi Final v Port. I did the scoreboard @ Thebarton Oval for a 'Super Rules' season - remember 7 pts for a drop kick goal? I watched Norwood win 4 or 5 straight U17's Grand Finals in the early '80s - Stafford was coach, wasn't he JK? I didn't miss a Grand Final from '76 (when Dad put me over the fence on the outer wing, to sit on the concrete step) to North's Flag in 1987. Dad did the International Rules Game in '86, when I witnessed the parachutist hit the Concourse Roof in the driving rain & howling wind before the game. I remember lining up for a hotdog & chips @ the kiosk on the Western Wing (1979, I think?) when the Centrals & Port Cheer Squads 'clashed' when they were changing ends - a scared 8 yr old. Going to Norwood Oval mid-week to watch Ardath Cup & Escort Cup games - I recall that the Independent Schools would play the State High Schools as curtain raisers for a number of years. Unley Oval, in the 'bows' of the Grand Stand - there were stairs to the change rooms with pictures in frames on the walls of the 60's & 70's stars & Premiership photos. I worked the 'trades' one season @ Footy Park "Pies, Pasties, Chicko Rolls & Orange Juice". Kicked the Brown Plastic Footys out @ the 1st Semi Final, as part of the WTFC Special Squad. Played Mini League @ Footy Park twice, when they 'cut the ground' across widthwise. In recent times, sharing 'Boys Days @ the Footy' with my son & the Grand Finals & Premierships - wonderful. I could go on forever - perhaps I have too much already.

But these experiences are what the SANFL has been to me - sadly, that has gone with the addition of AFL Reserves.
This week end could be it - I can't make the following week, as will be in Melbourne for my son's Swimming.

So, to answer you question JTC & dedja - Yeah, it will be a difficult evening on Saturday Night.
Although, alcohol will no doubt ease the pain somewhat

[dedja]

Correct on Ian Stafford being the Norwood U17 coach in the early 80s.

[Gozu]

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