SANFL 2006 ROUND 21: NORTH ADELAIDE v SOUTH ADELAIDE

Top five finally beckons

By JEFF CRAWFORD

SOUTH Adelaide's hopes of playing finals for the first time since 1992 has boiled down to winning two games.

A win against bottom side West next week would set up for an early elimination final between the Panthers and Glenelg on Adelaide Oval in round 23.

A loss to West would mean South would have to beat the Tigers by enough to claim percentage advantage, which at this stage is a 0.16 margin to Glenelg.

South's chances of stealing fifth from Glenelg on Saturday were dependant on a win against second-placed North.

But the Roosters controlled much of the play and were rarely less than four goals ahead all day, winning by 39 points.

But the ever-dangerous Panthers also dominated in patches and were always capable of scoring quickly.

In the centre square and around stoppages, Panthers onballers Jarrad Wright, Scott McGlone and Stephen Kenna, and centreman Rhys Archard were every bit as good as their Roosters counterparts, but were let down by an inefficient forward line.

While the Roosters had a choice of tall targets in Daniel Hargraves (five goals, all in the first half), Nick Gill and Clint Alleway, Panthers big men Nathan Twomey, Craig Parry and Ben Warren were all well held.

Goalsneak Damian Cupido was forced to lead a long way up the ground by Kingsley Walker, who didn't allow his opponent any room to move inside 50m.

It was left to skillful Josh Thewlis, who also spent time on the ball, to become a key target.

But North always had the answers, impressive bursts during the second and third quarters threatening to cause a 10-goal plus blow-out.

It was Chris Ladhams and pacey wingmen Scott Bamford and Leigh Ryswyk, along with a few bursts of speed from Matt Campbell, that sparked the Roosters when it really counted.

In defence, it was the rebound of Josh Coulter, who seems to have regained last years impressive form, and 100-gamer Daniel Ebert, along with the strong marking of Shane Schubert that shut down the Panthers attack.

The result was a disappointing for South coach Robert Pyman, who knows his side can beat the best in the competition.

But the Panthers can sneak into the five with a decent win over West Adelaide next week, with Glenelg on a bye.

Andrew Jarman's Roosters still appear to lack consistency, allowing South to kick the last four goals of Saturdays game, but theres a sense that his fast-running side is still yet to hit peak form.

Next weeks night match against Central District at Hamra Homes (Elizabeth) should show just where the Roosters stand with only two weeks to the finals.

SCORES: North Adelaide 6.2 14.7 18.9 21.15 (141) defeated South Adelaide 3.0 7.1 11.2 16.6 (102).

BEST: North – Ladhams, Bamford, D. Ebert, Coulter; South – Archard, Thewlis, McGlone, Davey.

GOALS: North – Hargraves 5, Gill 4, Gatto, Alleway 3, Ladhams, Younie 2, Wintle, Bamford; South – Thewlis 4, Davey 3, Williams, Parry, Neagle, Kenna, Iljcesen, Cupido, Twomey, Archard, Wright.