Eagles 17.14 (116) defeated Panthers 9.9 (63)
Full Match Results
By Peter Argent
With 12 second half goals, Woodville West Torrens comfortably secured its ninth win of the season, beating the bottom placed Panthers by 53 points at Oval Avenue.
On this July day Michael Godden gained revenge on his predecessor Ron Fuller, who inflicted the Eagles defeat in their last clash on a Monday, April afternoon.
“We came out with the right attitude in the first and the second quarter was a dour affair,” Godden said.
“It was a high scoring third by comparison and in the last term we took the game away.
“After the two week break this sets us up for a tilt at the top three.”
Key forward Adam Grocke produced an outstanding “best on ground” six-goal effort, where he dominated the game, taking 14 marks. The only negative on his brilliant day, was Grocke got reported in the second quarter for frontal contact, in what many saw as a frivolous contact.
Playing against one of his two former SANFL clubs, Craig Parry rucked well all game, as well as getting a number of possessions in field play and kicking a goal when moved forward.
Crows All-Australian Nathan Bock controlled the defence and delivered the ball well to teammates further up the ground.
Under 18 state player this year Jared Polec in his first senior game for the season was lively, kicking three goals and missing a “dolly”.
Justin Cicolella was the best of a solid midfield group, which included senior player Luke Powell, the tagged Scott Lewis and company, which performed soundly at the stoppages. Luke Jarrad sent the ball forward consistently from his wing as well.
Another Crows listed player Chris Knights had 20 possessions until half time, but received a knock to the ribs and was sent to the pine for the majority of the last term.
Brett Burton’s inability to recover from an ankle problem received against Norwood gave an opportunity for teenager Zack Fitzgerald to make his SANFL debut.
His coach suggested Fitzgerald presented well across half forward and kicked a goal late in the game, with the only blot on his copy book, being his three behinds, before that first major.
With a bye over the split round, the Eagles next match is on August 7 against the Magpies at Alberton Oval. The last five rounds are intriguing, with the Club needing to win four of its last five games to guarantee a top three finish.