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The following information is provided by Phillip Monk [moustrap@camtech.net.au], and is updated here after the weekends games. All credit for this information goes to Phillip and is being used with permission.
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| PORT | 4.2 | 5.4 | 11.6 | 13.7 85 |
| Norwood | 2.2 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 10.7 67 |
Port Adelaide has practically sewed up the minor premiership after winning a traditionally bruising encounter with arch-rival Norwood on Friday night's game at the Parade. After a slow start Norwood, inspired by ex-Magpie Eugene Warrior's three goal second quarter, led on the scoreboard by two points. Port led in the umpires' report book by a similar margin after Carter (on Borlace) and Poole (on Bowman) had both been caught going the biff behind play. Sandford and Brosnan had both been carried off after they collided at full-tilt in a shepherding contest.
However in the third quarter it was Port who turned up to play footy and with Fraser, Brown, McGuinness and Fiora all pushing the ball forward to old-timer Andrew Obst and Ricky O'Loughlin, Port slammed on 6.1 to 0.2 for the quarter to lead by 35 points at lemon-time.
After they had finished their lemons, Port quickly kicked the first two goals of the last quarter, and threatened a rout. Norwood however came home with a wet sail to kick the last five goals of the match including two more to Warrior but left their run far too late. Poole decided to get some more value out of his report by carrying on his feud with Bowman before players from both sides separated them.
Port's previously mentioned midfielders were their best on the night, led by skipper David Brown, who is back to top form after his injury. Obst and O'Loughlin both kicked three goals and McGuinness two for the Cockledivers. Warrior's six goals was the outstanding individual effort from a Redlegger, even more so when you consider his midfielders couldn't get the ball down to him that often. Scott Bassett, Bowman and D'Antochia were impassable in defence for Norwood, despite the fact the opposition scored 13.7.
Saturday 14 August
At Noarlunga Oval
| CENTRAL | 2.2 | 6.11 | 11.14 | 15.17 107 |
| South | 6.0 | 6.2 | 11.3 | 12.6 78 |
The 120 kilometre round trip to see seventh versus eighth obviously did not appeal to many Bulldog fans as only 950 souls braved the winds of Noarlunga. However, they missed out on some of the best footy Central have displayed for a while, as the Dogs enjoyed their first win at Noarlunga after running over the top of South by 29 points. South had first use of the gale and took a comfortable lead at the first change, with Crawshay winning in the ruck. Central were even more dominant with their turn with the wind, kicking 4.9 to 0.2 in the second quarter. South suffered a blow when captain Andrew Osborn went off in the second quarter with a collarbone injury.
Central's veteran midfielders in Hulm, MacGowan and Lee lifted in the third term as they matched South goal-for-goal into the wind to lead by 11 points at the last change. The Dogs then put the result beyond doubt with two quick goals at the start of the last quarter to record a solid win. Youngsters in McArdle (four goals) and Demasi (three) gave Central something to kick to, while Lee (three) and Hulm (two) also were productive. David Hams kicked five straight for the Panthers. Central coach Peter Jonas was pleased with the way his troops responded to South's pressure, while Ken Applegarth was disappointed that his players didn't lift to win a game from behind for captain Osborn. Apparently South haven't won a game without Osborn for two years.
At Prospect Oval
| EAGLES | 6.3 | 7.3 | 11.11 | 15.12 102 |
| North | 2.2 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 12.10 82 |
North once again put itself in a winning position against a premiership contender before succumbing through a lack of experience, this time losing to the Eagles by 20 points. The Eagles were rampant in the first quarter through Pyman, Pesch, Cicolella and Colville to lead by 25 points. In the second term neglected Crow Lucas Herbert got his fist to the ball to give his midfielders in Morton, Naish, Jefferies and Kellett a chance, and North actually led at half time.
In the second half, with more to play for, the Eagles steadied to regain control. A controversial moment came early in the last quarter when Rooster coach Chris McDermott apparently conceded the game. After the Eagles goaled to take a 28 point lead, he benched his best player, Danny Morton, allegedly to spare him the risk of re-injuring his hamstring and ruining his chances of playing for the Power if they make the AFL finals. For the winners Dylan kicked four, while Crowell and Ugrinic each kicked two. For North Brendan Parker and Robertson each kicked three goals.
At Adelaide Oval
| STURT | 3.4 | 5.7 | 7.8 | 12.11 83 |
| West | 3.1 | 4.6 | 7.9 | 8.10 58 |
Sturt had a crucial win over West in a scrappy but entertaining game at Adelaide Oval. A loss could have dumped them down to sixth, but for now sit in second place on percentage ahead of three teams who have played one game fewer than them. West have virtually no chance of playing finals now as they must win their last two and hope that one of the teams ahead of them does not win another game.
West seemed likely to win after kicking the last three goals of the third quarter to take a one point lead into the last change. However the Blues midfield led by Mark Pitura and Damian Squire (Magarey Medal favorite) exploded to send them repeatedly into attack and kick five goals to one to secure the points. Burton and Weatherald both kicked two goals for the Double Blues while Adam Richardson kicked four for the Blood'n'Tars. West coach Michael Taylor was bitterly disappointed. "It's total crap - we're better than that. It's one out of left field. It's the most disappointing loss we've had in my time at the club." Suggesting he might have itchy feet?
ABC commentator Mark Naley maintained his record for mispronouncing names. West rookie Balraj Singh was christened by Nails as "Barjar". Must have just seen the latest Star Wars movie. Perhaps Singh should change his last name to Binks.
Glenelg had the bye.
Premiership Table
| Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Percentage | Points | |
| PORT | 18 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 1561 | 1229 | 55.95 | 28 |
| STURT | 18 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 1567 | 1330 | 54.09 | 22 |
| NORWOOD | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 1473 | 1268 | 53.74 | 22 |
| GLENELG | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 1342 | 1167 | 53.49 | 22 |
| EAGLES | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 1428 | 1274 | 52.85 | 22 |
| West | 18 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 1566 | 1415 | 52.53 | 18 |
| Central | 17 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1359 | 1434 | 48.66 | 16 |
| South | 18 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 1317 | 1787 | 42.43 | 4 |
| North | 18 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 1152 | 1861 | 38.23 | 4 |
Leading Goalkickers
| J Burton | Sturt | 61 |
| A Richardson | West | 53 |
| D Hams | South | 41 |
| G Mellor | West | 39 |
| M Pavlich | Eagles | 36 |
| R Neill (not the Bob Neil) | Norwood | 35 |
| P Evans | Port | 30 |
Next Week - Round 21
Saturday 21 August
Eagles v Norwood (Woodville Oval)
Central v North (Elizabeth Oval)
Glenelg v Port (Glenelg Oval)
South, Sturt and West - Bye
The official SANFL web site is located at: http://www.sanfl.com.au/
Author: Phillip Monk Email: [moustrap@camtech.net.au]
Curator: Darryl
Harvey
email: {darryl@myinternet.com.au}
Last Updated: 17 August 1999
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