Season 2013 Articles

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/recruits-address-eagles-needs/story-fn525un5-1226564120551
ANOTHER key forward to take the pressure off Adam Grocke and Lee Staple? Check.
Support for star big man Craig Parry? Check.

Someone to fill the hole left by retiring full-back Ben Grieger? Check.

Woodville-West Torrens coach Michael Godden believes his side has succeeded in addressing three of its most pressing needs through off-season recruiting in a bid to improve on last season's fifth-placed finish.

Andrew Ainger (South Adelaide), Marc Borholm (West Adelaide), Daniel Kirk (Glenelg) and Tim Mackenzie (North Ballarat) have joined the Eagles over summer and all four men have important roles to play - either this year or long-term.

Godden said Ainger, who booted 45 goals in 18 games for the Panthers last year, provided the Eagles with a dangerous three-prong attack alongside Grocke and Staple.

"Ainger really relieves a lot of the pressure on Stapes and Grocke," Godden said.

"Adam and Stapes didn't have great years (in 2012) for lots of reasons.

"Stapes struggled with the extra attention ... and Adam had injuries and didn't really get going."

Ainger's training the house down and has done a really strong pre-season."

Borholm has been brought in to help Parry, who, despite being arguably the competition's best ruckman, shouldered a heavy load in 2012.

Borholm, at 196cm, 100kg, has only played 10 League games over the past four seasons but Godden said he would give his side more flexibility.

"We didn't have that back-up ruckman who could go forward to stretch a side."

Kirk has played in the ruck, attack and defence over eight seasons for the Bays.

Godden said he would slot in at full-back or centre half-back.

Mackenzie, 18, is considered a long-term key defensive prospect.

"We've got to look for the life after (Adelaide Crow) Luke Thompson and Ben Grieger."

The Eagles' other off-season recruits include Lachlan Carey (South Adelaide), Jarred Allmond (returning) and Power pair Kane Mitchell and Campbell Heath (mini-draft).

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/changing-of-the-guard/story-fn525un5-1226571464112

LOSING a quartet of seasoned stars has led to a "completely different dynamic" at Woodville-West Torrens this pre-season, according to coach Michael Godden.



Former Eagles' captains Mark McKenzie and Justin Cicolella, full-back Ben Grieger and ex-Adelaide Crow Robert Shirley all retired at the end of last year, taking with them 699 games of SANFL experience and a stack of leadership.

Godden said the quartet would be missed, particularly because of their ability to stand up in "games in the middle of the season where it's cold, the grounds are hard and you need to work for a win".

But he said the club "didn't need to panic too much" because the new-look, younger playing group was ready to step up.

"It's a completely different dynamic at the club," Godden said.

"It's genuinely a young man's group now.

"The guys in the next tier - (Matt) Goldsworthy, (Angus) Rowntree, (Chris) Hall - they're ready to take it on and take it to the next level.

"It's been really exciting because what that brings is a whole heap of enthusiasm and opportunity for young blokes to step up and be leaders of the club.

"Those lads playing League this year are the ones I saw playing Reserves in my first year (in 2010), so life's gone full circle.

"I can't wait to see how they handle the pressure."

Godden said he noticed a transition within the squad late last season.

"Our five best players in the elimination final were all 19 or 20, who have come through our junior program and none of the senior guys were in the best players that day.

"I think there was a bit of a changing of the guard that day."

The Eagles' recruits include spearhead Andrew Ainger (South Adelaide), key defender/ruckman Daniel Kirk (Glenelg), utility Lachlan Carey (South Adelaide), ruckman Marc Borholm (West Adelaide) and emerging backman Tim Mackenzie (North Ballarat).

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/eagles-cash-in-as-rival-sanfl-clubs-hit-tough-times/story-e6frea83-1226586619786

Eagles cash in as rival SANFL clubs hit tough times - See more at: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/eagles-cash-in-as-rival-sanfl-clubs-hit-tough-times/story-e6frea83-1226586619786#sthash.7b475yZi.dpuf

REACHING out to families and community groups and boosting memberships has helped the Eagles become one of only two league clubs to record a surplus last season.

The Eagles came out $161,637 ahead at the end of 2012.

Woodville-West Torrens was the only team to increase its crowd attendance numbers, bringing in five per cent more fans than the previous season.

An average of 2706 people attended home games, compared with 2573 in 2011.

Club CEO Uby Faddoul said attendance was improved by the club's theme days each week, which would be expanded this year.

"All 10 home games this year have a theme, from bring a mate day to ladies' day, kids' day, community day and even a 20-year reunion theme day for the Norwood vs Eagles grand final (1993)," Mr Faddoul told the Weekly Times Messenger. He said a jumping castle and face painter would be on hand at all home games this season.




"We have a big focus on families and children. I'm a big believer in the kids pulling mum and dad along to the football."

The Eagles have also steadily increased membership over the past four years, with 3624 members this year, compared with 2096 in 2009.

Mr Faddoul said the club aimed to reach 4500 members by the end of 2013.

As previously reported by the paper, West Adelaide Football Club recorded a loss of $505,027 in 2012, including SANFL's $50,000 fine for exceeding the salary cap.

The club has sent out an SOS to fans to support them on match days and sign up for memberships.

The wider SANFL competition is also struggling with seven of the league's nine clubs posting losses in 2012 on the back of falling pokies profits and increased costs.

Mr Faddoul said attendance on game days was the main revenue raiser during the season, but clubs often struggled between October and April when football was on a break.

Mr Faddoul said the club's upgraded function centre would be a big drawcard for the community during the off season, and keep people's mind on the Eagles.

"We're creating new ways to raise and generate revenue for the club," he said.

"We're going to be bigger and stronger than last year."

REVAMP GIVES CLUB THE VIBE

WOODVILLE-West Torrens Football Club hopes a $1-million upgrade of its function room will help deliver a windfall of extra revenue this year.

The work, which included building a glass wall so members could watch games and training from indoors, was recently completed.

CEO Uby Faddoul said the new-look centre, which also included a new outside dining deck, upgraded dining area, commercial kitchen, music system, and new conference equipment would be "a major lifeline," for Woodville-West Torrens.

Mr Faddoul said the centre, which fits up to 400 people, could host conferences, functions and weddings. He said the centre had already been booked for about 10 upcoming functions since it reopened in December.

Mr Faddoul said the Eagles had raised about $200,000 through functions and events in 2012 using the downstairs bar and off-site venues and were aiming for more than $400,000 in 2013.

He said in addition to game days and weekends, the clubrooms would be open three nights a week during the football season for dinner, allowing fans to watch the team practise under lights. He said he was excited about supporters being part of the "Eagles experience".

"I want the facility to be a place of gathering for the club, our members and the broader community."

Mr Faddoul said plans were also being considered to transform the downstairs bar into a similar function space. The upgrade was scaled back from a $4-million overhaul shelved in 2011.

The club decided to put that plan, which involved gutting the existing Oval Ave clubrooms, on hold following uncertainty over the future of SANFL funding and national pokies reforms.

The Eagles will host a player auction night at the new function centre on Oval Ave, Woodville South on Saturday, March 23. Details: wwtfc.com.aus

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GODSY WON’T REACT FOR RICHMOND

By ZAC MILBANK

Reappointed SANFL state coach Michael Godden won’t adjust his selection policy to suit City Mazda Stadium as he prepares to confront the NEAFL on May 11.
Despite West Adelaide’s home ground - today confirmed as host for the interstate clash – being much larger than last year’s venue, Gliderol Stadium, Godden is reluctant to add more pace to his squad.
‘’We’ll just pick our best 22 and we will back it against anybody,’’ said Godden, also Woodville-West Torrens’ league mentor.
‘’I just believe that the best 22 in this competition should be able to match it with the best in Australia – there’s no doubt.
‘’Regardless of whether they’ve got more speed, we should be able to adapt on the day and if we’ve got more hardness on the inside, we should also be able to adapt.
‘’If you think about the best players in the competition, they’ve generally been able to adapt to different conditions. This should be no different.’’
With former Crow Stephen Rowe reappointed as chairman of selectors, Godden indicated the first selection meeting was likely to be conducted after the second round of SANFL trial matches next month.
The squad will largely be picked on form, however, Godden is salivating at the possibilities given several stars were ruled out with injury before last year’s gutsy 14-point win against the WAFL at Glenelg.
‘’In the first list meeting last year there were 40 names and as a coach of a club, I thought I would love every one of them,’’ said Godden.
‘’We went into last year with Brett Zorzi injured, James Allan pulled out, Ty Allen pulled out and we had Kieran McGuinness, Bryce Campbell and Luke Powell unavailable (with knee injuries).
‘’So there was seven or eight of the best players in the competition we couldn’t pick on the day but we still put out a very good side. So the depth is quite strong in this competition.’’
Godden is the first to admit proving the SANFL’s dominance as a state league is difficult on the back of one result. But he insists the standard is still high while also being convinced representative football remains relevant.
‘’It’s still a big thing for the players and the old-timers still love seeing the state guernsey,’’ Godden said.
‘’People on the outside don’t realise how much it means to the playing group. It’s just their dedication to the program, their ability to overcome injury to play in the game and the respect they have for the competition.
‘’Some of the guys are playing in high level teams, meaning they are likely to play in finals and possibly a grand final but even if they’ve got a niggle they still say they want to play. And having the clubs not restrict them is another bonus, it’s great the clubs want their players to represent their state.’’
Yet to formalise this year’s training program, Godden predicted his men would gather three weeks before the encounter, with around three sessions conducted in the week leading up to the 2.10pm match.
Having started his playing and coaching career with the Bloods, Godden urged all SANFL fans to get behind the concept which will be held at Richmond for the first time.
‘’I was a 17-year-old kid playing my first league game at Westies, and now, coming back around 20 years later as senior coach of the state team is a bit bizarre,’’ said Godden.
‘’I would just love people not to debate whether it’s a good concept or a bad concept. The fact is you will be watching the very best players this competition has against the best another competition has to offer. So if you are a football lover, get there and watch a good game of footy.’’

SANFL News

19 Mar 2013

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS POCKET PROFILE

By ZAC MILBANK | Twitter: @zacmilbank

LAST YEAR
Position: 5th. Minor Round: won 9, lost 11.

COMING, GOING
In: Andrew Ainger (South Adelaide), Lachlan Carey (South Adelaide), Daniel Kirk (Glenelg), Jared Allmond (returning), Matthew Jacquier (returning), Jarrod Harding (returning), Glenn Dawson (returning), Kane Mitchell (Power list), Campbell Heath (Power list), Marc Borholm (West Adelaide), Tim Mackenzie (North Ballarat Rebels), Sam Martyn (delisted by Crows), Scott Blesing (West Adelaide).
Out: Jimmy Toumpas (Melbourne), Nicholas Hayes (Brisbane), Matt McDonough (Richmond), Tim Sumner (Gold Coast), Mark McKenzie (retired), Robert Shirley (retired), Justin Cicolella (retired), Ben Grieger (retired), Robert Eddy (Victoria), Chris Knights (Richmond), Jake Fairclough (Henley), Christian Bock (country Victoria), Layton McMahon (CMS Crows ).

COACH
Michael Godden – After winning a premiership in his second season at Oval Avenue in 2011, Godden’s honeymoon quickly ended last season due to a series of key injuries and poor form. The SANFL state coach still managed to guide his side into fifth place only to be bundled out of the finals by North Adelaide in the Elimination Final. Faces another challenge this year due to the club’s significant loss of experienced players.

CAPTAIN
Luke Powell – Endured a nightmare 2012 due to injury but bravely returned to action sooner than expected to lead from the front. Powell’s on-field expertise will be even more valuable this year following the departures of experienced team-mates Mark McKenzie, Justin Cicolella and Robert Shirley during the off-season. At peak fitness, Powell is one of the best midfielders in the competition as he can win the hard ball while also using his neat disposal by hand and foot.

STAR QUALITY
Luke Powell
Godden says: ‘’The reason being is we’ve lost a significant level of experience from our top end so Luke becomes more important than ever. Apart from his natural ability to be a very good footballer, his leadership will be challenged this year because he’s basically going to have to do it nearly single-handedly with a very small leadership group.
‘’He’s an outstanding player for us as well but he’s somebody who can lead the troops and educate that second tier group on what the Eagles way is. Luke Powell will be a very important player for us this year.’’

ON THE RISE
Chris Hall
Godden says: “He’s obviously been here for a couple of years now but I don’t think Hally has ever established himself as an out-and-out league footballer yet. But so far, in the pre-season, he’s really shown he’s gone to the next level. So I expect Chris to play through the midfield, half-forward and out on the wing and be a real penetrator for us going forward. He’s in the age bracket of player, 21-24-year-old, who is going to have a crash course in leadership.’’

GUN RECRUIT
Andrew Ainger
Godden says: “He’s had a fantastic pre-season and even on Saturday night down at Noarlunga he only played about 40 minutes or so but you could tell he was real quality.
‘’I think when we get the three of them up there, maybe four with Zac Fitzgerald, Lee Staple and Adam Grocke, then we have some good options. We’re just rapt to have him (Ainger).’’

COACH’S COMMENT
Godden says: “It was a very, very disappointing season in 2012 and we’re just trying to rectify that now. You can’t go back to 2012 but what we can do is make sure 2013 is a bit more successful. We have no idea where we sit in terms of quality because I think that all the clubs have lost so much experience and good players and we’re no different. So we’re going to rely on what that second-tier can do. We still have a bee in our bonnet from last season so that should hold us in reasonable stead.

‘’I would love a fast start but just a reasonable start would do. After five games, if you could be 2-3 (win-loss) or even 3-2 it’s not the end of the world but at least it’s better than 0-5 (which the Eagles were last year).

‘’We’ve changed a fair bit because I think that with the seniority that we had, we had the ability to be a bit more adventurous. Whereas I think we have to be reasonably basic this season. The one thing that I am concerned with is our goal-kicking power after last year. We really just couldn’t kick a winning score and Saturday night down at Noarlunga (in the trial match), we were the same so we’ve got some work to do.

‘’It’s an awkward season but my expectation is always to win the premiership first and foremost. But the reality of that is much different to the expectation. You need to try and win 12 games to start with as that normally gets you into the top three. So that’s where I’m aiming at the moment and we’ll just see how the season pans out.’’

HIS partner in crime took home the Magarey Medal last year but we believe South Adelaide dynamo Nick Liddle now ranks as the SANFL's No.1 player.



Already a star heading into last season, Liddle further elevated himself with a spectacular 2012.

His disposal improved, he became virtually un-taggable and he won the Panthers games with his relentless running power.

The bad news for opposition fans is, at age 25, Liddle is in his prime and can still get better.

We are taking nothing away from Liddle's Panthers teammate Joel Cross, who thoroughly deserved his 2012 Magarey Medal and moves to third on our list, just behind the man he shared the medal with - Brad Symes.

The prolific Bulldog becomes eligible for the list after being delisted by Adelaide and enters the rankings at No.2 after a dominant 2012 SANFL year which saw him also win the Dogs' best and fairest.

Symes' teammate James Boyd would have won the Magarey had he not been ineligible and ranks at No.4 after a brilliant season.

Norwood's Brett Zorzi and West captain Ryan Ferguson won best and fairests in the competition's grand final teams and have been rewarded with No.7 and No.5 rankings respectively.

Bisecting them is Bloods midfielder Chris Schmidt who many tipped for last year's Magarey after a standout 2012.

Rounding out the top 10 are Norwood skipper Kieran McGuinness, who we expect to return to the competition's elite following long-term injury, super consistent Eagle Luke Jarrad, and Ken Farmer Medal-winning Bulldog Justin Hardy.

Before you Redlegs, Double Blues and Roosters fans question why more of your players did not rank highly, let us re-outline the rules of our annual list.

Players who have left the competition - like Redlegs Dean Terlich and Jaryd Cachia, and Roosters James Allan and James Bennett - were ineligible.

Players on AFL lists are also ineligible, even if, like Richard Tambling and Brodie Martin, they dominated the SANFL in 2012.

Returning AFL players were eligible but only Michael Coad, who has a proven record in the SANFL, and proven AFL performer Henry Slattery made it.

The rest have to earn their stripes in the local league.

The competition has lost a host of stars but, while compiling this list, we found it super competitive for top 50 spots and strongly disagree with doom-sayers questioning the SANFL's ranking as the second best league in the land.

Top 50 (Last year's ranking in bracket)

1. Nick Liddle, South (4)

2. Brad Symes, Central (NR)

3. Joel Cross, South (6)

4. James Boyd, Central (NR)

5. Ryan Ferguson, West (5)

6. Chris Schmidt, West (16)

7. Brett Zorzi, Norwood (49)

8. Kieran McGuinness, Norwood (9)

9. Luke Jarrad, Eagles (5)

10. Justin Hardy, Central (NR)

11. Angus Rowntree, Eagles (NR)

12. Paul Thomas, Central (2)

13. Michael Wundke, South (10)

14. Andrew Ainger, Eagles (NR)

15. Joel Tippett, West (NR)

16. Byron Sumner, Eagles (NR)

17. Daniel Caire, West (23)

18. Mat Suckling, Norwood (17)

19. Leigh Ryswyk, North (35)

20. Craig Parry, Eagles (11)

21. Michael Coad, Sturt (21)

22. George Thring, North (NR)

23. Adam Grocke, Eagles (7)

24. Shane Birss, West (NR)

25. Ruory Kirkby, Glenelg (48)

26. James Meiklejohn, Port (32)

27. Ty Allen, Glenelg (41)

28. Simon Phillips, Norwood (NR)

29. Henry Slattery, Port (NR)

30. Tim Webber, Norwood (NR)

31. Alex Georgiou, Norwood (33)

32. Ben Warren, Norwood (NR)

33. Trent Goodrem, Central (NR)

34. Ben Kane, Sturt (13)

35. Jace Bode, Norwood (NR)

36. Luke Harder, Port (31)

37. Ryan Williams, Central (NR)

38. Matthew Goldsworthy, Eagles (NR)

39. Andrew Bradley, Glenelg (NR)

40. James Aish, Norwood (NR)

41. Scott Lewis, Eagles (19)

42. Luke Powell, Eagles (12)

43. Brady Dawe, Norwood (NR)

44. Jon Beech, West (46)

45. Jarrod Schiller, Central (47)

46. Tom Holmes, Glenelg (NR)

47. Max Thring, North (NR)

48. Peter Rolfe, South (NR)

49. Aaron Fielke, West (NR)

50. Luke Slattery, Port (NR)

Apologies

Joe Anderson, North (NR)

Greg Gallman, North (NR)

Sam Gray, Port (NR)

Lee Staple, Eagles (NR)

Nick Murphy, South (44)

Phil Raymond, Eagles (36)

Jason Davenport, Glenelg (NR)

James Ezard, West (39)

Dropping Out

James Allan, North (1)

Mark McKenzie, Eagles (3)

Eddie Sansbury, Central (

Toby Stribling, South (14)

Andrew Hayes, Port (18)

Chris Gowans, Central (19)

Mark Dolling, Port (20)

Clint Alleway, North (21)

Luke Crane, Sturt (22)

Josh Thewlis, South (24)

Justin Cicolella, Eagles (25)

Steven Summerton, Port (26)

Adam Thomson, Sturt (28)

Ben Grieger, Eagles (29)

Jordan McMahon, Glenelg (30)

Kyle Jenner, Central (34)

Phil Raymond, Eagles (36)

Luke Barmby, Central (37)

Tristan Gum, Sturt (38)

Matthew Duldig, Sturt (40)

James Bennett, North (42)

Brad Fisher, West (43)

Nick Murphy, South (44)

Aaron Day, Eagles (46)

Jade Sheedy, Sturt (50

Godden's spray lifts Eagles to win over Sturt at Unley

Warren Partland -
adelaidenow
March 30, 2013 11:02PM




Sturt v Eagles

Sturt's Tom Hurley gets a handpass out surrounded by Eagles, from left, Byron Sumner, Patrick Giuffreda and Luke Thompson. Picture: Calum Robertson. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)


WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens coach Michael Godden left his players in no doubt of his thoughts at half-time in the clash with Sturt at Unley.

The Eagles, pushed aside by the Doubles Blues, trailed by 32 points and Godden unleashed what he described as the biggest spray he had given the players in his four years at the club.

He admits he was "filthy" and told his players a few "home truths".

Whatever Godden said in the old fashioned tongue lashing had the desired effect.

The Eagles responded to the challenge to take control of the contest in the third quarter to earn the valuable two premiership points with a 26-point win.

"Sturt was good and first to the ball (in the first half) - our effort at the contest was awful," Godden said.

"The one thing we wanted to be was first to the ball.

"I gave them an absolute spray - it is the biggest spray I have ever given them. That is what frustrated coaches. We know it is in there and you have done the work so they should be better than that.

"They did not perform (in the first half) and that is what makes you deliver that speech."

The Eagles lured strong marking forward Andrew Ainger from South Adelaide and just a miinute into the match he kicked his first in the gold, green and green jumper.

The opening quarter was what could be anticipated in an opening round battle with moments of brilliance, patches of scrappy football and plenty of enthusiasm among the many willing participants.

Sturt had 26 more disposals for the first term and 18 of those were handballs.

In the second term the home side was far more efficient, securing plenty of clean possessions in the centre square with the likes of hardnut Aidan Riley heavily involved, and bombing the ball to a lively forward line.

Ziggy Vitkunas, Michael Coad and Matthew Duldig tormented the Eagles defence and while it was some Richard Tambling brilliance which enabled the home side to build a 35-point lead 15 minutes into the second quarter.

The Eagles were clumsy and too often second to the ball while Sturt's pressure created turnovers and the home side fed of opponent's mistakes to impact on the scoreboard.

Rain late in the second quarter and into the third aided the Eagles' cause as they launched their rescue mission with telling effect.

Ruckman Craig Parry got busy and Angus Rowntree and Luke Powell fed off his work to take control at the stoppages.

The ball was blastered into attack with more conviction and the Eagles forwards surged into the game on the back of an avalanche of opportunities.

The Eagles' intensity and williness to sacrifice the body lifted, no doubt inspired by Godden's well chosen words, and their work ethic was vastly superior to that of Sturt.

Too often Sturt turned the ball over coming out of defence and the hungry Eagles pounced.

"The first half was good footy and we looked dangerous around the stoppages and our forwards all looked dangerous," Sturt coach Seamus Maloney said.

"We just could not get our hands on the footy in the third quarter and that first 10 minutes of the third quarter was disappointing."

EAGLES 2.4 5.8 11.11 18.14 (122)

STURT 4.4 11.4 13.5 15.6 (96)

BEST - Eagles: Rowntree, Hall, Goldsworthy, Sumner, Parry, Ainger, Powell. Sturt: Riley, Vitkunas, Krause, Tambling, Evans, Kane, Graham.

GOALS - Eagles: Ainger 4, Hall, Staple, Goldsworthy, Poole, Ellis-Yolmen, Carey 2, Grocke, Rowntree. Sturt: Vitkunas 4, Duldig, Krause, Coad 2, Greenslade, Hurley, Kane, Riley, Hunter.

UMPIRES - T. Dey, A. Crosby, M. Schramm.

CROWD - 3156 at Envestra Park.

LindsayHead17 wrote:The team poster is in today's Advertiser. A good addition to any back shed!

Cool I don't get the paper and I cant scan that

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/vince-inspring-as-eagles-down-legs/story-e6freckc-1226625710121Vince inspring as Eagles down Legs
STELLAR performances from their AFL contingent helped the Eagles upset reigning premier Norwood by 36 points at The Parade on Friday night.



The Eagles had five AFL-listed players - dumped Crow Bernie Vince, unlucky Power rookie Kane Mitchell, Jarrad Redden, Brodie Smith and Luke Thompson - and were never headed after taking the lead late in the first term.

Vince did his chances of an AFL recall no harm, finding plenty of the football, using it cleanly and helping spark the Eagles after an indifferent opening.

He finished with 26 possessions, seven clearances, four inside 50s and a goal in an eye-catching display after being dropped from the Crows.

Norwood's loss - its first since round 21 last year and first at home since round three, 2011 - came on the back of some uncharacteristic skill and decision-making errors, as well as ill-discipline.

It gave away several 25m penalties and could not sustain its usually relentless pressure for long periods.

Norwood's pressure on the ball carrier forced the Eagles to fumble and overuse the handball in the early stages but the game changed when Vince and Byron Sumner began to find the footy. The duo was composed under pressure and disposed the ball cleanly, allowing the Eagles to break through Norwood's defensive press.

In attack, off-season recruit Andrew Ainger (three goals, eight marks) and Redden stood up in the absence of the injured Adam Grocke to provide tall targets.

The Eagles jumped out to a three-goal quarter-time lead but the second quarter was a low-scoring arm-wrestle, as both sides kicked just one goal apiece.

The game was won and lost in the third term.

Angus Rowntree gave the Eagles a 25-point lead with the opening major of the quarter before back-to-back soccer goals - from Matt Goldsworthy and Ainger - stretched the margin to 36 points midway through the term.

At the other end, Norwood butchered its opportunities to get back into the game, as Brett Zorzi, Matt Panos and Josh Donohue missed shots on goal inside 50 and players failed to hit marking targets. Vince's only goal - a 55m set shot 20 minutes into the third quarter - all but sealed the upset result.

The Redlegs went more than a quarter without booting a goal before Matt Thomas broke the drought eight minutes into the final term.

By then it was too late.

Ainger ended any chance of a Norwood fightback with a goal 12 minutes into the last quarter, stretching the lead to 36 points.

To add to their misery, Redlegs midfielder Matt Fuller was reported for alleged late contact on Phil Raymond early in the third term.

Veterans stand up for Eagles in 29-point win over Port Adelaide Magpies

Jai Bednall

WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens showed why it's likely to play finals and Port Adelaide is not in a 29-point win at Woodville.



Desperate to consolidate last week's win against top side Norwood, the Eagles had enough of their veterans stand up in key moments to eventually brush away the persistent Magpies.

Scott Lewis, Angus Rowntree, Chris Hall, Matt Goldsworthy, Luke Jarrad and Luke Powell all had 20+ possession games while Craig Parry went along way to earning the starting ruck role in the state side by winning his battle with James Meiklejohn.

Key forward Andrew Ainger and Jarrad Redden combined for eight goals - a fine return given they were playing against one of the competition's best key defensive duos in Kory Beard and Aseri Raikiwasa.

"When you have a win like we did against Norwood you just have to win the next one, you've just got to back it up," Eagles coach Michael Godden said.

"Today we were about 75 per cent of where we need to be but sometimes you've just got to do what you've got to do to win."

In contrast, Port didn't have enough contributors to help impressive midfielder Sam Gray in the middle and is still playing patchy footy.

Zane Kirkwood and Steven Summerton were solid and Graham Johncock bobbed up with five goals but besides Gray there weren't many Magpies who played four good quarters.

"They were just a bit better than us today," Port coach Ken McGregor said.

Port wasted the breeze in the first term, coming out of the blocks slow and trailing by three points at quarter time.

It battled hard through the middle two quarters, answering an Eagles challenge midway through the third term when it looked like the home side would escape.

But a one point quarter time lead was never going to be enough given the strength of the wind and the Eagles kicked seven goals to two in the final term to win comfortably.

Given his side has already played both of last year's grand finalists, Godden will happily take a 3-1 record after the first month of the season.

After last year's 0-5 start, 3-1 is more than acceptable.

"After last year I would have taken 2-3 at the bye," Godden said.

"To be in position to go 4-1 I'm absolutely stoked. And we've got so much upside, these guys haven't even got going yet."

Port finds itself 1-3 ahead of a Sunday clash with Central District next round and McGregor said it was time for his side to leave its development phase and start winning games.

"I think we've got quite a few guys who have been around long enough now," McGregor said.

"I think they need to start taking that step forward and actually forcing wins rather than just hoping.

"We've had a couple of years now where we've won one in every three or four games.

"I think the mindset is that when a team gets on top of us - especially a good team like the Eagles - we almost expect to lose. It's just not good enough any more."

EAGLES 3.1 5.3 9.6 16.8 (104)

PORT 2.4 4.4 9.7 11.9 (75)

Best - Eagles: Jarrad, Lewis, Rowntree, Hall, Parry, Ainger, Goldsworthy. Port: Gray, Summerton, Thurgood, Johncock, Kirkwood.

Goals - Eagles: Ainger 5.1, Redden 3.1, Joyce 3.0, Raymond 2.0, Goldsworthy 1.1, Rowntree, Allmond 1.0, Hall, Mitchell 0.1, rushed 0.3. Port: Johncock 5.2, Harder 2.1, Gray, J. Butcher 1.1, Rose, Johansen 1.0, Kirkwood 0.1, rushed 0.3.

Injuries - Eagles: Karpany (ankle). Port: D. Butcher (shoulder)

Reports - Nil

Umpires - Dey, Haussen, Hosking

Woodville-West Torrens thump South Australia by 114 points
WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens kept pace with its top three rivals with a 114-point mauling of South Adelaide at Woodville today.

The victory moved the Eagles level with North Adelaide and Norwood on four wins, one behind top side West Adelaide as the battle for the double-chance becomes a four-team race.

"It does seem like it's opening up that way," Eagles coach Michael Godden said. "I watched North and Norwood yesterday ... I thought North were really good and we've got them after the state game out at Prospect so we've got two weeks to build up and get ready for that one."

The Eagles were relentless yesterday, dominating every quarter. Power big man Jarrad Redden was outstanding in attack, demanding an AFL recall with a five-goal haul.

"I think that will be the last we see of Reddo for a while," Godden said.

But there were plenty of others. Todd Culley and Luke Thompson starved South key forwards Michael Wundke and Brett Eddy, Nick Salter and Matt Goldsworthy were creative in attack and Scott Lewis led a dominant midfield.

"I thought the lads were outstanding," Godden said.

Nick Liddle was the only consistent contributor in South's on-ball unit and Kyle Hartigan ensured Andrew Ainger had a quiet day against his old side.

But that was about it for the Panthers, who face a searching week off during the state game bye.

"That's the second 100-point loss for the year," South coach Ron Fuller said. "You can say we had a bad day a month ago against Westies but not twice. We just have to get some honesty back in the group."

South was far too easy to score against and continually turned the ball over. Now 1-4 in a season in which a finals appearance was expected by the club - and demanded by supporters - the Panthers are a long way off the pace.

"It falls back on me and we've just got to find a way to change it," Fuller said. "I don't think it's about talent."

WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens willed its way to an 11-point win against Port Adelaide yesterday to remain within striking distance of the top three.

The Eagles entered the game undermanned after the late withdrawal of Angus Rowntree (knee soreness) and struggled to penetrate a well-structured Magpie defence.

There were a couple of occasions when it looked like Port would overcome its own sub-par performance to eke out a win - at half-time when the Magpies led by 10 points and late in the final term when a Daniel Kulikowski goal gave them a seven-point lead.

But the Eagles never stopped working and after stealing back the lead through a Matt Goldsworthy miracle from the boundary line they did enough to win.

"I thought we'd lost it a couple of times - Port had momentum - but the boys kept boring in and we did what we needed to do," Eagles coach Michael Godden said.

"I've watched Port really closely over the past two weeks and they were every bit as good as I thought they were. I was really proud of our lads."

The Magpies pushed numbers behind the ball in the opening quarter, forcing the Eagles to take a patient approach.

They broke through on a couple of occasions to take an early lead but their ball movement was sloppy and key forwards Andrew Ainger and Nick Salter were well held. Port sprang to life in the second term as Ben Newton and Justin Hoskin got their hands on the ball in the middle and John Butcher fired in attack.

Butcher took advantage of under-sized Eagles defender Jake Summerton to kick three goals, forcing Godden to hand the job to Luke Thompson, who had far more success.

Brett Ebert injured his groin in the second quarter and couldn't continue and Port's midfield wasn't able to build on its momentum in the second half.

Luke Powell and Scott Lewis began dominating at the stoppages and Chris Hall and Byron Sumner combined for five goals.

Port just couldn't find enough of the footy - and when it did it turned it over too often. "I think we had a bit of overuse in the midfield," Magpies coach Ken McGregor said.

"There were opportunities to go long and we just wanted to make it look perfect rather than just get it forward and trust our forwards one on one."

The defeat ended Port's impressive four-game winning streak which has taken it to the cusp of the top five.

A victory would have pushed the Magpies into fifth and been a perfect way to enter the bye but McGregor is confident he's built a base to launch from into the second half of the year. "The good thing about what we've done in the past five weeks is we've got the building blocks of knowing what it takes for us to win and play competitive footy," McGregor said.