Eagles to keep on rolling along with a comfortable win at Richmond
By Jayden Hill

Again, what another fantastic round of SANFL football. We are now coming to the end of the minor round season and some teams will be looking to do some damage in the final series coming up. While, other teams will be thinking about next seasons prospects. One team that is looking forward to the finals series is the Eagles, who are sitting pretty on top of the ladder and are firm favourites to take out this year’s cup.

The Eagles, who have been on top the ladder all season, only had one hiccup for the year, where they lost to the Redlegs by 40 points in round 10. However, Coach Jayde Sheedy has overcome that shock loss with his team coming off two impressive wins, in the past fortnight. The Eagles were too good for the second placed Roosters in round 11 and followed it up with a polarizing 78-point win against the Bays last Saturday.

 Jordan Foote had a standout game on the weekend, collecting a game high 32 disposals and kicking three goals. The 24-year-old lead the game in kicks with 24, as well as leading the tackle count with 12. Number 35 Joseph Sinor has been outstanding for the Eagles in the past three weeks, averaging 27 touches, including leading the eagles in disposals in Round 10 and 11. Forward James Rowe has kicked 32 goals so far this season and is only two goals behind Glenelg’s Liam Mcbean in the race for the Ken Farmer medal.

 The Pleasing thing for Coach Sheedy would be the large number of players that have performed well this season. Players such as Jimmy Toumpas, Jack Hayes, Sam Rowland and James Tsitas have contributed for the Eagles this season. The Eagles in the last three weeks have won the inside 50 count by an average of 20.3 entries and have been entering the arc with ease. The Classy Eagles will be looking for a big win this weekend.

 Unfortunately for the Bloods, they haven’t had a season quite like the Eagles in 2020. Coach Gavin Colville in the next few games will be having one eye on what next year’s prospects will bring. West Adelaide sit on the bottom of the ladder and are coming off two heavy defeats by the Panthers and the Bays. Even though it hasn’t been a year West Adelaide supporters will want to remember, there have been some promising signs and things to look forward to leading into next year.

 Kaine Stevens has been solid this season averaging 23.8 disposals for the season, as well as 24-year-old Brett turner who has averaged 20 disposals this season. Dallas Wilmore lead the Bloods in the disposal count with 27 against the Bays in round 11, also collecting a game high 23 kicks and taking 11 marks. Jordan Boyle has also had a solid season for West Adelaide, averaging 24 touches. Youngsters such as Murray Waite, Elliot Dunkin, Andrea Parella, Connor Fairlie and Isaac Johnson have also contributed for the Bloods this season and are the future for the Bloods moving forward.

 The Bloods have challenged teams this season, including the second placed Roosters who they almost beat in Round eight. The Bloods also defeated the Bays in round four so they have had promising signs this season.

 The Eagles haven’t beaten the Bloods at Richmond Oval since Round one 2018 and the Bloods defeated them by 37 points last season. However, the Eagles will continue on their merry way and will be too good at City Mazda Stadium.

 
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