SUMMARY
The SANFL Crows face their toughest test of the year when they confront the Panthers in Sunday’s SANFL Semi-Final. South is the only club to hold an undefeated record over the Crows this season and the Panthers were ultra impressive in last week’s Qualifying Final, only fading away from Sturt in the dying stages of the contest. Adelaide’s young SANFL team should also be full of confidence after storming to a 72-point victory over Central District in its finals debut last weekend. But the Crows will need to be wary of South Adelaide’s dangerous forward mix, led by Ken Farmer Medallist Brett Eddy and dynamic goalkicker Rigby Barnes.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 3
South Adelaide: 3
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Sunday, September 11, 12.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R22, 2016, South Adelaide 14.16 (100) d Adelaide 9.8 (62) at Hickinbotham Oval
R6, 2016, South Adelaide 14.7 (91) d Adelaide 13.12 (90) at Hickinbotham Oval
R17, 2015, South Adelaide 9.9 (63) d by Adelaide 10.17 (77) at Hickinbotham Oval
R5, 2015, South Adelaide 13.12 (90) d Adelaide 11.10 (76) at Hickinbotham Oval
R13, 2014, South Adelaide 7.9 (51) d by Adelaide 14.12 (96) at Hickinbotham Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. South Adelaide won both matches between the two teams this year, including a comfortable 38-point victory in the last contest only a fortnight ago. It’s been over a year since the SANFL Crows have defeated the Panthers.
2. Several Crows will be ineligible to play in Sunday’s SANFL Semi-Final if Adelaide’s AFL side falls to North Melbourne on Saturday night. Paul Seedsman and any other player left out of Adelaide’s senior side will need to be late withdrawals from the SANFL final if Saturday night’s result goes the Kangaroos’ way.
3. The Panthers and Crows are the two highest-scoring teams in the SANFL this year. South Adelaide was the most attacking club in the home and away season with 1,681 points scored ahead of the second-placed SANFL Crows on 1,651 points.
4. Ken Farmer Medallist Brett Eddy has kicked 11 goals in his past two games against the SANFL Crows. The South Adelaide spearhead booted three in the Panthers’ Qualifying Final loss to Sturt last weekend.
5. South Adelaide coach Brad Gotch will be forced to make at least one change to his side from last week’s loss to Sturt. Tyson Brown sustained a hamstring injury early in the Qualifying Final, with Emmanuel Irra, Nathan Daniel and Joe Haines all vying for a recall this weekend.
6. The winner of Sunday’s first final will advance to next Sunday’s Preliminary Final against either Woodville-West Torrens or Sturt. The Eagles and Double Blues fight for a Grand Final spot immediately after Adelaide’s clash with South Adelaide on Sunday.
Crows ‘underdogs’ in SANFL Semi
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Nathan van Berlo
The respected Crow called time on his 205-game AFL career during the week, but also said he wanted to end his playing days on a strong note with Adelaide’s SANFL team. An admired leader on and off the field, ‘VB’ has helped guide so many of Adelaide’s young stars in the SANFL this season. The 30-year-old produced a vintage performance in the Elimination Final across half-back with 19 possessions and a goal. He also claimed seven marks, including an equal-game high three intercepts against the Bulldogs. No doubt the SANFL Crows will want to finish their season in the right fashion and pay homage to one of the most revered players to wear the tri-colours.
