Bloods v North Preliminary final match report

At the end of the Macca’s Cup minor round 3 weeks ago North Adelaide sat on top of the table with West Adelaide sitting sixth. Today at Glenelg oval North were well beaten by an exciting Bloods outfit who will now play the Eagles in next week’s grand final.

In a game with some similarities to last week the young Bloods went out quickly, established a lead and held off North who fought back strongly. But this was a tighter contest than last week and this enabled the character of this side to shine through. Final score was 14.12 to 11.6.

Kicking to the southern end, Hassan Ahmat-Watkins had 3 set shots for goal in the opening minutes for a score of 1.1, this being his return for the whole match. Fortunately, this side is blessed with multiple options and their attacking style provides plenty of scoring chances. We dominated the play but wasted opportunities and at Q time led 2.5 to 1.1.

The second Q was where we won the match booting 7.5 to North’s 2.2. After a slow start Watchman was asserting himself up forward and when at the 16min mark he gathered the ball at CHF and dished out a long, looping handball to a running Turner who goalled from 40m we went 6 up and then added 3 in time on for good measure. At half time Jayden Brine had had 17 touches and the scores were WA 9.10 to NA 3.3.

The third Q was dominated by North as they threw everything at the Bloods. They added 5.2 but we jagged 2 to maintain a 23 point buffer at 3Q time. Our second goal came from a brilliant spoil by Agostino resulting in a Watchman mark and a set shot for goal. At the huddle the coach, Jarrod Meers urged the boys to get back to their running game that had been somewhat slowed by North’s comeback.
3Q WA 11.10, NA 8.5.

The last Q showed what great composure and maturity this team has. Like last week against Norwood they played attacking footy with a defensive edge, moving the ball along the flanks and opening up scoring chances with slick handball. Their tackling is simply superb - they are efficient in that they rarely give away silly frees but vicious in their attack on the body, shutting down any chance of attack and forcing the opposition into error and hesitation. Their skills and decision making are excellent, hitting the chest with hand and foot as they run into attack.

197cm Watchman, who shared ruck work with Sam Durdin, drilled a 60m bomb from near centre at the 8 min mark and followed up with a goal from a set shot ten minutes later. Like last week against Norwood Hugh Haysman ran down the same flank to boot through another inspirational goal. Final score WA 14.12 to NA 11.6

Durdin, fresh from his couple of senior games, had 44 hit outs and shines at this level. Brett Turner and Jayden Brind both strike the right balance between defence and attack – 46 disposal, ten tackles, 4 goals between them. But, as they say, ‘all played well’.

Good to see Mark Mickan supporting the boys. And so to the Grand Final. Another great effort by this exciting team.

Snelling was on fire in the first half until he got a poke in the eye and rested the 2nd half.
I liked Haysmans game as well as Durdin.

Turner had lots of the ball but like B&R said, a solid team effort.

In addition to the already reported accolades, I was particularly impressed with Francis's effort on Agius, and the strong marking of Brind.