Round 7 2009
From Snoutslouts
GLENELG has shrugged off the woes of the Anzac Day drubbing from Central District to climb to second on the premiership ladder.
After accounting for the Panthers last week, the Tigers proved their game was back on track with a hard-fought five-point victory over plucky North Adelaide at the Bay yesterday.
The victory was tarnished, however, by gun forward Todd Grima's report for allegedly racially vilifying Rooster Wade Thompson in the opening quarter.
Grima was reported for misconduct by umpire Tony Dey and will face the SANFL tribunal on Tuesday night.
The Tigers' win was not attractive but they got the job done with spirit and commitment against a serious contender for a finals berth.
"The effort was terrific," Mickan said.
"The players are trying to play the style of game we are trying to implement.
"We still have a while to go with our execution."
The tone of the contest was established early with Glenelg dominating entries inside the attacking 50 only to let itself down with wasted opportunities in front of goal.
Ruckman Trevor Cranston showed he had rediscovered his true form to control the stoppages and set the home side alight.
But the Tigers could not capitalise on their superior possession count, and skill errors or a shoddy kick at goal prevented the side applying crucial scoreboard pressure.
Luke Panozzo was superb across half back, providing plenty of rebound and Daniel Kirk did a tremendous stopping job on dangerous Rooster Nick Gill.
The Roosters, despite leading at quarter-time and then trailing at half-time by just a goal, struggled for clean ball from the stoppages against the desperate Tigers midfield. Glenelg too often overused the handball, a fact no more evident than in the third term when it amassed 55 for the quarter. The Tigers were prepared to play a risky game with a flood of handballs and too often its methods brought the side unstuck.
Roosters skipper Damon White was brilliant at centre-half back to help his side stay in the battle while Toby Stribling, having a productive season, mopped up plenty of ball deep in defence.
Cranston's impact on the contest, however, was significant, especially with his second efforts.
But skill errors from his team-mates in defence, amid the tension of the last term, almost cost the side the two premiership points.
Unfortunately for Roosters fans, their side failed to take advantage.
"If you look at the numbers, they smashed us inside 50 and they probably had more of the ball," Healy said.
"You look at that and they deserved to win."
