Round 9 2006
From Snoutslouts
ROUND 9
AFTER missing a golden opportunity to consolidate its position in the top five with its heartbreaking one-point loss against Sturt, Glenelg faces a must-win game against Norwood at the Bay on the Queen's Birthday holiday.
When these teams met earlier in the season, the Tigers lost by 11 points and they will be keen to turn the tables.
Under new coach Mark Mickan, Glenelg now has a record of four wins and four losses for fourth position, just ahead of Central and Norwood on percentage.
Glenelg began well against a depleted Sturt line-up at the Bay last Saturday with four goals to two in the opening term for a 13-point lead at the first change.
But the Double Blues took charge in the second quarter with six goals to three and Glenelg trailed by one point at the long break.
Inaccuracy in front of goal prevented the Tigers from having the lead at half-time.
The Tigers also were outscored in the third quarter (two goals to five) to trail by 21 points at the last change.
They looked in trouble trailing by 21 at three-quarter time, but they showed great courage in the final quarter to just fall short by the slender margin. This was the Tigers' seventh consecutive loss against the Double Blues.
Their last victory against Sturt was in May 2003 at Unley Oval.
Brett Backwell, who had 19 kicks and eight handpasses, was Glenelg's best as he continually found space to set up many attacking moves.
Acting captain Adam Fisher, high leaping ruckman Trevor Cranston and Bryce Gibbs, the recruiting target of many AFL clubs for next season, were others to do well for the Tigers. Gibbs, who played mainly across the half back line, showed his poise, polish and ability of extricate himself from difficult situations.
Matthew Duldig and Aaron Rogers were effective forwards with eight goals between them.
Ruckman/forward James Sellar, also tipped to be recruited by AFL clubs, had a quiet game and did not have much time on the field.
He finished with just one kick and two handpasses.
After the crunch game against Norwood, the Tigers face another tough test against Woodville West Torrens at Thebarton Oval. Then they will host reigning premier Central in another challenging game. These three games should give a good guide as to whether the Tigers will remain in the top five or slip out of contention for this year's finals.
SCORES: Sturt 2.2 8.3 13.5 15.6 (96) defeated Glenelg 4.3 7.8 9.8 14.11 (95).
BEST: Sturt - Sheedy, Nelson, Whiteman, McLeay, Bentley, Hurley, Nelson, Weatherald, Taylor; Glenelg - Backwell, Fisher, Cranston, Gibbs, Willits, Logan, McConnell, Duldig.
GOALS: Sturt - Bentley 3, Weatherald, Bowen, Hurley 2, Sheedy, Nelson, Whiteman, Jarjoura, Taylor, Paley; Glenelg - Duldig, Rogers 4, Logan 2, Mitchell, McConnell, Fisher, Smith.
See also: 2006
