|
 "It’s
a grand old
flag"
was sung by
Trevor Hill
and his players
as they circled
Ben Speight
and Ziggie
Alwan (first
wins as league
players) with
incredible
vigour and
passion as
the Redlegs
today faced
down their
demons and
knocked over
a top three
team by defeating
top of the
ladder Sturt
by 44 points.
Senior coach
Trevor Hill
made two changes
for the game,
David Trotter
and Ziggie
Alwan coming
into the side
for Health
Culpitt and
Nick Jackman
who were omitted.
The home
side looked
the better
for the entire
contest, playing
a simple but
effective
game of minimum
ball use but
maximum yardage
in wet and
muddy conditions
at Coopers
Stadium. Together
with fierce
tackling and
numbers around
the contest,
the Redlegs
were simply
irresistible.
It was a
typical "Fortis
in Procella"
team effort
by the Redlegs
who kept the
skilful and
hard-running
Double Blues
to just 4
goals for
the game,
despite them
being strengthened
by the services
of AFL players
Reilly, Bentley
and Thurstans.
 For
the second
week running
Nick Duigan
was the teams
most effective
and outstanding
player, one
of few players
who was able
to play dry
weather footy
in the tough
conditions,
his "one-takes",
hard forward
run and reading
of the ball
went along
way to set
up our victory.
Tim Weatherald
was no doubt
primed for
this game,
tough at the
contest, desperation
and skill
are his trademarks,
his first
victory against
his old side
that could
no longer
find a place
for him. Josh
Donohue continues
his stellar
first full
season of
league football,
wet or dry
he goes about
his work the
same, with
no fear, hard
run and playing
his role to
the best his
ability allows,
he finished
with 2 goals.
Stuart Bown
was back to
his best,
after a few
weeks that
the honest
defender would
readily admits
were not his
best, just
like his mate
Duigan, he
shut down
his man, read
the ball well
and provided
run and rebound.
Similar could
be said for
Luke Jericho,
run, skill
and finish
(2 goals)
from his wing.
Sam Rowe had
his finest
hour in the
Norwood jumper,
3 goals, winning
plenty of
contested
ball, and
doing his
best to keep
the ball inside
our attacking
50. Ben Speight
was given
an unfamiliar
"shut-down"
role on 100
game plus
Sturt play
maker Daniel
Wicks for
the last half,
the second
game player
carried it
out with a
discipline,
concentration
and maturity
that he can
be proud.
 Our
reserves side
battled valiantly
but were out-classed
by the top
side by 43
points. Matthew
Brunoli and
James skinner
were the sides
multiple goal-scorers
with 2, while
the experienced
Heath Culpitt
did his best
to inspire
his team in
the centre.
In a pleasing
side, Luke
McLean, playing
at half-back
showed some
of the form
we know he
is capable
of in just
his second
game for the
year.
In similar
conditions
at Unley Oval,
both our juniors
sides went
down, the
Under 19's
by just 7
points and
the Under
17's by 57
points. Stewart
Fincher and
Josh Cavanagh
were best
for Andrew
Milligan's
team with
Lazaros Minopoulos
the only multiple
goalscorer
with 2 while
Josh Lewis-Burns
was named
best by David
Oatey.
The Redlegs
now enjoy
our last bye
for the year,
an opportunity
to freshen
and refocus
for the final
three minor
round games,
now knowing
deep in our
hearts we
are capable
but still
with much
work to be
done before
we break our
finals appearance
drought.
For our next
game against
West Adelaide
and our last
for the season
at Coopers
Stadium, Joel
Coombes (ill),
Stephen Doyle
(hamstring),
Luke Nitschke
(hamstring),
Jesse Aish
(hip) and
Andrew Kirwan
(face) should
all be available
for selection.
David
J Bean
League Team
Manager
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