The Redlegs have gone a long way towards cementing a place in the top five with a comprehensive 66 point victory of North Adelaide at Coopers Stadium.

Paul Puopolo pulled up sore after training Thursday night and was replaced by Adam Cockshell in the named 21 who was released by Port Power.

James Gallagher won the toss and kicked to the Parade end of Coopers Stadium and by quarter time his troops had made full use of the strong wind kicking seven (7) goals of their own and restricting the visitors to just 3 behinds. Most pundits would hold their thoughts until both sides had kicked with the breeze before drawing any conclusions on which team had come to play. By half time the answers to that question was clear as the Redlegs managed 5 goals against the breeze and allowed the Roosters just one in the second quarter (Clint Alleway at the 13 minute mark) to take control of the contest to the tune of 64 points at the main break.

In sixty minutes of football, both with and against the breeze the Redlegs dominated, they were first to the contest, had numbers around the ball, they used the ball with precision and quickness to the three tall forward of Cockshell, Walker and Rowe who were presenting well, creating space and using it to their advantage. Our defence was reading the flight of the ball in difficult conditions well, switching the play, creating space, running in numbers, our midfield of Gallagher, Trotter, Donohue, Phillips and Weatherald were getting first hands to the ball courtesy of Doyle and Cockshell and creative and clean at the stoppages.

The scoreboard showed the second half was a more even contest, Norwood kicking 5 goals 6 behinds to the Roosters 5 goals 4 behinds, however even the most one eyed North supporters would agree the home-side just looked most fluent and organised in their movement of the ball.

In one of one most impressive performances in the past few years there were many best players, none more-so than Josh Donohue (22 possessions plus 8 effective tackles), who with the loss of Bryce Campbell was asked to step into a senior on-ball role and didn't he just relish the opportunity. His workrate and hard running were exceptional, when he rested at half-forward he hardly rested, positioning himself at the foot of every contest and collecting 3 gaols for himself. Tim Weatherald has been a major contributor in turning the Redlegs 1-3-1 start to the season after 5 games to 7-5-1 after 13 games, he sets a terrific example of sheer workrate, discipline and footy smarts and together with fellow midfielders James Gallagher (34 possessions) and David Trotter (26) are forming a combination to be feared by opposition teams. Nick Duigan was given a defensive job on returning Crow Nick Gill and clearly won the contest whether it be in defence in the first half or the wing in the second.

Taylor Walker continues to develop quickly at senior football level, contributing another 5 goals today taking his season tally to 33, Matthew Bartemucci completed a terrific run-with role on play-maker Leigh Ryswck, Matthew Davis contributed well from the other wing while Aaron Kite and Matthew Dawes were resolute and rebounding from their defensive posts.

The reserves side fought back from an early 5 goals deficit to be within 11 points half way through the final quarters only to be blown away by 58 points by the final siren, in hardly a true reflection of the efforts and the evenness of most of the game. Ziggie Alwan continued his recent good form from his wing, Health Culpitt and young guns Ryan Holm and Trevor Baust were the best of the midfielders and Toby Schulz was terrific on the last line of defence.

Our junior sides had a disappointing day at prospect Oval, the under 19's defeated by 21 points and the under 17's by 49 points.

Paul Puopolo (who was a late withdrawal from this weeks game) and Jamie Vlatko will undergo fitness tests this week with a view to playing against Central Districts at Coopers Stadium next Saturday and will hopefully join returning Under 18's players Ben Speight, Ryan Schoenmakers and Alex Stopp in the red and blue jumper.

Next Saturday at 5.00pm we will know a lot more about the Redlegs prospects for season 200 in the SANFL competition. Be there!

David J Bean
League Team Manager