SANFL 2006 ROUND 12:
STURT v NORTH ADELAIDE
Strong signs of hope at Unley
despite loss
By JEFF CRAWFORD
The Roosters were completely outclassed by an inspired Double Blues
outfit in the first hour and were fortunate not to be further behind than 33
points at the long break.
Outstanding half-back Luke Jarjoura, on-ballers Jade Sheedy and Andrew
Whiteman and wingmen Ben Colreavy and Michael Bratton
outran and outbustled North's main ballgetters, applying constant pressure, shrugging tackles
and delivering the ball superbly to their forward line.
Damien Squire, returning from injury along with a quiet Daniel Wicks,
became a key target and Andrew Jarman couldn't find
the right match-up for him.
Young forward William Paley was also a threat
while another teenager, Fabian Deluca, was too strong
in ruck and around the ground for more experienced opponents Brett O'Hara and
Daniel Wakelin.
Only reliable Roosters half-back Luke Ivens
and wingman Scott Bamford put up much resistance for
the red-and-whites.
But just as it seemed the struggling Double Blues were about to cause a
major upset, the Roosters reverted to the dynamic outfit that demolished Sturt
by 92 points in round four.
For much of the third quarter, the Roosters barely allowed Sturt a
clean possession and attacked incessantly, led by a magical display from Daniel
Motlop and his partner-in-crime Matt Campbell, who
was oddly subdued and hesitant earlier in the match.
But there was more to North's revival than the elusive twosome. The
Roosters' more experience rucking duo eventually stamped their authority on the
match, while Darryl Wintle, Dean Howard, Chris Ladhams, Heath Younie and Leigh Ryswyk all awoke from their slumber.
Ivens remained the pacesetter and Bamford carried on their first-half form.
By half-way through the third term the Roosters just didn't look like
losing, while only a few of Sturt's troops – primarily Jarjoura
and Sheedy – put up a struggle, and the side clearly
missed late withdrawal Ben Nelson in defence.
The early dominance shows that Brenton
Phillips has plenty to work at Unley with next season, and the side will cause
a few upsets this year if it can continue to start contests like that.
Jarman would have been puzzled by his team's
ineffectual first half, but the 15.12 to 4.4 second half was the sign of a
class outfit starting to hit its straps. With a number of players due to
return, including full-forward Daniel Hargraves, who had a run in the twos, the
Roosters are only likely to get better.
SCORES:
BEST: North - Ivens,
D. Motlop, Bamford, Howard,
Ladhams, Gill, M. Campbell, Schubert; Sturt - Sheedy,
Jarjoura, Squire, Whiteman, Taylor, Colreavy.
GOALS: North - D. Motlop
5, M. Campbell 4, Younie, Ladhams
3, Gill 2, Gatto, Ivens; Sturt - Squire, Paley
4, Colreavy 3, Chambers 2, Jarjoura.