A fast finishing Adelaide has defeated Centrals on Saturday afternoon at X Convenience Oval by 25-points in the SANFL.
New look midfield
With Sam Berry and Jackson Hately having impressed during their time in the SANFL and subsequently being selected in the AFL side, Adelaide had a new look midfield for their clash with Centrals.
Stand-in SANFL coach, Nathan van Berlo put his faith in the likes of Harry Schoenberg, James Rowe, Nathan Freeman, Luke Pedlar, Chris Hall and Jay Boyle to get the job done in the middle of the park.
“Our guys at ground level competed hard, we didn’t quite get the reward for effort in terms of clearance numbers,” told van Berlo AFC Media.
“I think they all play their role at various stages and its really pleasing for us that we’ve got guys that can roll through there and I think all of them in different ways had an impact today."
Dominant Freeman
In his second game of SANFL footy, Nathan Freeman showed why many were excited about him being part of the Adelaide’s reserve side.
Freeman was everywhere on route to collecting a team high 31 disposals as well as kicking two majors.
“Nathan gives us something really explosive around the ball and he is able to impact the scoreboard as well," van Berlo said.
“He has been a great pick up for us as a club, he is a mature player who can come in and help out our younger mids and for him to come into a mature competition like the SANFL and play like he did today shows that he has got some extreme talent."
Fogarty Firing
Key-forward Darcy Fogarty looked a man on a mission, determined to make his presence felt, impacting every contest he was part of.
It was not just in front of goals but his work up the ground that had van Berlo impressed with his game today.
“What I am most pleased with was his ability to crash packs, compete in the air and it is no surprise that you get rewarded at ground level or shots off goal from it,” van Berlo said.
“I thought he was able to bring his teammates into the game as well which is really pleasing and good for him to build some strong form.”
Fogarty finished with two goals, 21 disposals, three tackles and four inside 50’s.
Lewis steps up in second half
Fogarty was supported well up front by Jack Lewis in the second half once Riley Thilthorpe came off with a knee injury at half-time.
Thilthorpe did not finish the game and will be assessed in the coming days.
Lewis bagged three goals, two in the second half with van Berlo singing his praises.
“Jack played a really important role for us, particularly in that second half and I thought his ability to compete, execute his role and then hit the scoreboard was great reward for effort,” he said.
Murray and Worrell’s goal saving efforts
Nick Murray shined as the last line of defence for Adelaide.
This was highlighted by Murray having a goal saving run down tackle early in the third term when the game was in the balance.
Josh Worrell was just as impressive collecting 22 disposals and seven marks as well as having a goal saving, diving smother during the final quarter.
“For their teammates I am sure it does lift them another gear and it turned the tide with Murray’s effort to us getting three goals on the trot,” van Berlo said.
“Really pleasing and those are two efforts that we will definitely look to recognise during the week."
Adelaide will look to continue their winning ways next week when they face South Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium on Sunday at 12:05pm.
ADELAIDE: 2.1 6.8 10.9 13.17 (101)
CENTRAL: 5.2 7.4 9.9 11.10 (76)
GOALS:
Adelaide: Lewis 3, Fogarty, Thilthorpe, Pedlar 2, Strachan, Freeman, Schoenberg, Wright
Central: Whitelum, Grace 3, Kendall 2, McCormack, Launer, Shaw
