Adelaide will take on Norwood next week for another chance at earning a SANFL Grand Final berth after going down to North Adelaide by 10 points at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

The Semi-Final was hotly-contested and the 15.8 (98) to 13.10 (88) defeat to the Roosters came after they booted four goals to Adelaide's three in the final term.

Composed Turner

Adelaide mid-season recruit Brett Turner was classy in the midfield, composed with ball in hand and created time and space for himself.

Turner rarely wasted a possession making the right decision each time he won the ball, which put his teammates into an advantageous position. 

The leadership and experience he showed was a highlight of his game, according to SANFL Senior Coach Michael Godden.

“His two finals have been really impressive,” Godden told AFC Media.

“You can see that he has been in big games before, he knows how to handle himself and he really stood out today.

“I thought his power around the contest and composure with ball in hand was a highlight.”

Turner finished the game with a team-high 25 disposals, six tackles, nine inside 50s, nine clearances and a goal.

Intercepting Frampton

Key defender Billy Frampton was one of Adelaide’s bests against the Roosters, making his presence felt down back with strong intercept marking.

Frampton had his hands full switching between manning up on Dyson Hilder and SANFL Team of the Year forward Keegan Ramsey but limited their impact when he was their direct opponent.

“He’s been good all year, he’s been able to stand up for us down back,” Godden said.

“Sometimes he has to defend one on one, sometimes he has to come off and help someone else and his timing on that has been really good.

“He was huge again for us today but unfortunately we couldn’t finish off down the field.”

Frampton capped a strong defensive performance with 21 disposals, 10 marks – three contested - and 10 rebound 50s.

Taylor shows fight

First-year recruit Zac Taylor continued his strong SANFL form and worked hard to compete with North Adelaide’s experienced midfielders.

Taylor was often the one to launch Adelaide into attack during the first half, recording five clearances and six inside 50s for the game.

“Zac has been competitive all year and I thought his first half was exceptional,” Godden said.

“They put a fair bit of work into him in the second half, but he continued to fight his way through it.

“He’s only 19 years old, so what an amazing opportunity to play in the midfield in a final against blokes who have played a fair bit of AFL footy.”

Taylor also amassed 19 disposals and laid seven tackles.

Nankervis steps up

Young forward Luke Nankervis showcased his work rate against North Adelaide, running hard to each contest to support his teammates and laying important tackles.

At 19 years old, Nankervis was Adelaide’s youngest player on the field but did not look out of place and had g put together a strong finals campaign so far, according to Godden.

“It’s always good to see a young man who’s played in back to back finals now on a wing and  been able to come to the level,” he said.

“His effort and his contest work his really good.

“These games that he’s playing at the moment are going to be invaluable for him going forward.”

Nankervis collected 18 disposals, had seven tackles, along with four inside 50s and four rebound 50s.

Smithson gives Crows a late lifeline

Adelaide development player Josh Smithson gave the Crows a late spark in the final quarter, helping them reduce a 15-point margin to just five points when he kicked two important goals.

The forward slowed the Roosters momentum, booting one from 30m out and following it up five minutes later by kicking another goal to give Adelaide a late chance of stealing victory.    

“It’s great a development player who’s not played much at this level to be able to come in a second semi final and kick three goals is an outstanding effort,” Godden said.

“Lots to learn from today for him but he will only get better for that.

Smithson finished with three goals, with seven disposals and three tackles.

Adelaide will play Norwood in the Preliminary Final at Adelaide Oval next Sunday, with the first bounce at 2:45pm.

The winner will then take on North Adelaide in the 2022 SANFL Grand Final.

ADELAIDE:                4.3 6.7 10.9 13.10 (88)

NORTH ADELAIDE:  1.2 5.5 11.6 15.8 (98)

GOALS:

Adelaide: Smithson 3, Pedlar, Newchurch, Gollant 2, Wright, Strachan, Turner, Nankervis.

North Adelaide: Ramsey, Elbrow 3, Young 2, Combe, Minervini, Wigg, Hilder, Szekely, Brazel, Lockyer.