SANFL 2006 ROUND 14:
NORTH ADELAIDE v SOUTH ADELAIDE
Comeback kids rock Panthers
By JEFF CRAWFORD
For the second time in three weeks, the Roosters were able to turn a
half-time six-goal deficit into a considerable victory, keeping the high-scoring
Panthers to a solitary goal after the long break.
Seemingly in control at quarter time, the Roosters were shocked by the
total dominance of South in the second quarter, barely touching the ball as the
speedy Panthers racked up 9.5 to two points. South controlled the centre square
and every stoppage, making the Rooster runners look sluggish as the likes of
Stephen Kenna, Rhys Archard,
Ben Neagle and Clay Sampson ran riot, led by ruckman
Craig Parry. The dominance brought dangerman Damian Cupido - shut down by Steven Koops
in the first quarter - into the match, and he looked likely to provide an
impressive sequel to last week's 11-goal performance.
Speedy Alwyn Davey
also chipped in to create more headaches for North.
At the other end of the ground, Gerard Bennett didn't allow Rooster
centre-half-forward Nick Gill a sniff while Tom Hateley
was too mobile for full-forward Daniel Hargraves.
But once Rooster ruckmen Brett O'Hara and Daniel Wakelin regained
control, providing plenty of opportunities for Dean Howard, Darryl Wintle, Heath Younie and Chris Ladhams, the constant attacking and tackling pressure
forced the Panthers to crumble.
The Roosters' comeback was not only impressive in the way Hargraves,
Gill, Ladhams and Younie
shared the scoring in the second half, or the way youngsters Matt Campbell and
Shane Edwards found their feet after barely being sighted earlier, but also in
the role played by defenders Luke Ivens, Brett White,
Daniel Ebert, Andrew McIntyre, Shane Schubert and Koops.
Not always acclaimed as a strong defensive team, the Roosters' backmen proved they could completely shut down a side
capable of being a dynamic scoring machine.
With so much to play for, it was a devastating fade-out for South coach
Robert Pyman. The second quarter certainly showed
that South is an exciting outift,
but it possibly lacks the consistency to match it with the top sides.
The result couldn't have been better for Andrew Jarman,
who now has more players to choose from thanks to a shrinking injury list. Next
up is Port at Alberton in two weeks, following the Roosters' final bye for the
season.
SCORES:
BEST: North - Younie,
White, Ryswyk, Bamford, Ladhams, Gill, Schubert, Hargraves; South - Kenna, Bennett, Archard, C. Sampson.
GOALS: North - Hargraves, Gill, Younie, Ladhams 4, Ryswyk 2, Krieg, Howard; South - Warren 3, Archard,
Cupido, Davey, C. Sampson, Kenna 2.