Glenelg V Eagles Semi Final

Columbo wrote:Would be interesting if Clay would be able to play in the reserves this week, there has always been some pretty confusing rulings around who can and can't play in 2's finals.

Shattered for Goldy, it didn't look good when he came off.

That was so unlucky for Goldy. Was hitting his straps and is such an influence on the field.
Unfortunately you dont get over hamstings quickly so his chances to play in the Grand Final would be in doubt.
Injuries at the wrong time are cruel

For me, during that last quarter, it was like 'here we go again'...but then I thought 'well, this is a Sheedy led Eagles side, so it's not likely to be a walkover'. True enough, he said after the game that we have a plan about what to do in those situations. T T by T & T - Three tackles by Toumpas and Tsitas - Toumpas saved a goal in the first quarter with a tackle; Tsitas helped Stengle to wave his wand and secure the winning goal by tackling Martini...then came that tackle!! It wasn't a good sight seeing Chandler with blood coming out an ear, however it was perhaps symbolistic because he literally ran into a wall, a diminutive one at that.

Both teams probably needed the result to go that way - no side had ever had a 6 day break between finals since Norwood in 1993, and after two tough tussles, we surely didn't want another 6 day break...on the other hand Glenelg wouldn't have wanted yet another break. In saying that, as soon as the other team steps out onto the field, they have a chance. It's not out of the question South Adelaide will be our opponents, but in all likelihood it will be a Partington-infused Tiger side next time.

That was the fourth finals match we have won in a row, which is a club record, previously: 1993 2SF, 1993 GF, 1994 2SF; and 2011 1SF, 2011 PF and 2011 GF.
This is the 12th GF berth, but the path to it is a first:
4 - 2SF Win (1993, 1994, 2015, 2016)
3 - 2SF Loss, PF Win (2000, 2006, 2020)
2 - QF Win, 2SF Loss, PF Win (2001, 2004)
2 - QF Loss, 1SF Win, PF Win (2005, 2011)
1 - QF Win, 2SF Win (2021)

2nd lowest winning margin in a final, behind the 2011 GF (3 pts)
Both finals wins have been by less than 10 points, prior to this year, of the 29 previous wins, only three were by less than 10.

I tend to agree Spelly - provided Glenelg beat South, the 2nd Semi loss will be distant memory by the time the GF arrives. At the same time, the Eagles couldn’t ask for better preparation for a Grand Final than two tough finals wins and a week off to watch Glenelg and South smash each other up.

Those two tackles by Tsitas in the last quarter were magnificent. Doesn’t he bring something special to the team - consistently a high performer in every match he plays.