Random thoughts and observations
West Adelaide had a good win over South Adelaide today at Richmond Oval. My enjoyment of the game was heightened by listening to the colorful commentary of a one-eyed Panthers fan.
The beanie-clad barracker stopped near me just before the game to discuss racing tips with a mate. He spent most of the first half berating the umpires, who to be frank were equally bad to both teams.
History has a way of turning up unexpected treasures and I feel fortunate to have discovered one such gem accidentally today. Fortunate in the sense I now know something about an unsung South Australian sporting hero of the 19th century; sad however at his tragic end. The SANFL this weekend celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture with its inaugural Indigenous Round. It’s a travesty the name of former North Adelaide player Harry Hewitt is missing from that team and I hope an effort is made to rectify it.
I went to Unley Oval this afternoon to see Sturt and the Umpires defeat West Adelaide. It was the first time I had been to the ground. Sturt plays most of its home matches there; the others at Adelaide Oval. It’s what might be called a “boutique” stadium, with most of the seating and spectator facilities on the western side of the ground. The highest verified attendance was 22,015 for a league game against Port Adelaide in 1968, although an estimated crowd of 24,000 packed in to see Sturt play Norwood in 1924.
West Adelaide has announced the signing of former Carlton forward Brad Fisher to play in 2011. Fisher is a 192cm mobile, strong-marking forward who has spent the past eight seasons with Carlton in the AFL, playing a total of 99 games and kicking 127 goals. The 26-year-old from East Burwood underwent knee surgery after the 2009 season. He was drafted at pick 72 in 2002. Fisher plays both in the forward line and at half-forward. He is recognised as an excellent and safe one-grab overhead mark, perhaps the best at the club, and regularly takes strong contested marks.
I took James to City Mazda Stadium (Richmond Oval) today to see West Adelaide play Central Districts. The Bulldogs booted the first seven goals within 20 minutes of the first quarter before the Bloods staged a comeback, only to be overrun at the finish. Tweet Pin It
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