Round 3
The League was soundly beaten on Saturday by an “up and running” Sturt FC. While not making excuses our preparation was not exactly ideal, having a bye after just one game, but that’s the draw and you have to accept that and get on with it. Sturt are certainly up and running and if it was the Grand Final tomorrow they would certainly win it, but it is not and there is still 18 rounds to go before the finals and we would envisage ourselves, Centrals and the rest of the competition getting closer to the fitness levels of the Sturt Football Club. If Sturt can maintain that tempo for the whole year, (they couldn’t last year) it will be interesting monitor over the season. Having said that we let ourselves down with a very poor second quarter, you can’t give sides like Sturt that kind of head start and then expect to catch up.
We were pleased with our last half, the boys played some good football, but in the end the better side won on the day, and we have to wait until round 10 to atone for our performance.
Best Players – Brown (his job on Herring was excellent), Alleway (Dominated CHF, we just had to get it down to him), Ladhams (was very solid in the midfield), Stewart (battled well in the Ruck, and showed some good signs up Forward)
The Reserves also let themselves down with one bad quarter, and Sturt capitalised as good sides do. Our boys came back well in last quarter, but the gap was too big. It was pleasing to see Brett O’Hara return in the twos, and we would expect him back in the League against Port.
Best Players – Pfeiffer, Wright (great effort after coming back from the League), Brett White (getting closer to a recall) and Rhys O’keefe.
Both sides look forward to our games against Port Adelaide this week at Alberton, after Port’s win against the Eagles they will be very confident and we will have to lift our output from the Sturt games to collect the points.
Injuries from weekend:
Coulter (League) – Thumb – Unfortunately Josh has broken his thumb, and will have an operation on Monday, a return date to be set.
Long Term Injuries:
Allan – Hip – Available – Close to playing against SFC will definitely be available against PAFC.
Kingsley Walker – Hamstring – injured hamstring on Wednesday Night, return date to be set. (Kingsley must have stepped on a black cat when he arrived in Adelaide, his luck has been terrible)
Daniel Ebert (Knee) – Return round 4
David Clarke (Back) – Is progressing slowly, but will start bike work this week, with a view for him to return through the reserves in round 7.
Rooster’s Footy Facts:
With Benny Hudson dominating for the Bulldogs in the AFL at the moment, we thought we would list our Ex- NAFC boys in the AFL at the moment.
Greg Gallman – Adelaide FC
Nick Gill- Adelaide FC - 7 AFL Games
Tony Armstrong- Adelaide FC
Daniel Motlop – Port Adelaide FC - 80 AFL Games
Marlon Motlop – Port Adelaide FC
Damon White – Port Adelaide FC – 49 AFL Games
Nathan Lonie – Port Adelaide FC – 98 AFL games
Gavin Grose – Port Adelaide FC
Jason Roe – Brisbane FC – 31 AFL Games
Luke McEntee – Hawthorn FC
Stephen Gilham – Hawthorn FC – 33 AFL games.
Ben Hudson – Western Bulldogs FC – 59 AFL Games
Henry White - Western Bulldogs
Shane Edwards - Richmond FC – 16 AFL Games
Matty Campbell – North Melbourne FC - 17 AFL Games
Micheal Wundke – North Melbourne FC
Jarad Rivers – Melbourne FC – 66 AFL Games
Ben Holland – Melbourne FC – 189 AFL Games
Mark Jamar – Melbourne FC – 53 AFL Games
All these boys keep regularly in contact with the Club, so if you see them on TV, be proud in the knowledge they once wore the NAFC Jumper.
Click on the image to view photos from the game
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