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Posted Oct 2, 2007 - 21:14 PM
North Adelaide has returned to the big stage after a 16-year absence with yet another fight-back to defeat reigning premier Woodville-West Torrens by 26 points in the SANFL preliminary final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Ironically, it was also the last time Ben Hart was in the Roosters squad, but missed out on a grand final berth that year. Now, the 33 year-old gets his chance, but instead of the erratic youngster he was in 1991, he has become the calming influence on his inexperienced teammates.
The Roosters have had to endure several come from behind wins over the past month to remain in the finals race and they once again had to maintain their self-belief when the Eagles got out to, what seemed, a match winning 27-point lead in the third quarter.
Eagles onballers Justin Cicolella (27 possessions), Luke Jarrad (24) and Bernie Vince (27) were securing plenty of the ball in the midfield and were far more efficient going forward with strong targets Nick Salter (four goals), Ken McGregor (three) and Ben Schwarze (two).
North coach Andrew Jarman would have again rued wasted opportunities in front of goal with his side 2.7 at the 18-minute mark of the second quarter. However, each time the Roosters looked down and out, they were able lift their intensity and regain their trademark attacking running game.
Nick Gill was his typical self, roaming tirelessly to create havoc for the Roosters, while defender Luke Ivens (32 possessions and 13 marks) rebounded countless Eagles attacks, and Hart had a major impact in unfamiliar roles across half-forward and in the centre.
The Eagles lost its potency under the relentless pressure of its opponents and, as it has experienced all season, faded out of the contest to give back the ascendancy to its opposition. North Adelaide dominated the last term to cement their position in the grand final against minor premier Central District at AAMI Stadium next Sunday.
North Adelaide now has the belief they can do something special but it will need to put it on the scoreboard to claim their elusive flag after defeating Woodville-West Torrens, 18.14 (122) to 15.6 (96).
Stephen O’Loughlin
