Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Elimination Final

Glenelg kick-started its finals campaign in fine style with a rampaging 71-point Elimination Final victory against Woodville-West Torrens at Adelaide Oval.

Booting five of the first six goals of the contest, the Tigers produced a fluent display in the opening half as they moved the ball nicely by foot through the corridor.

At the forefront of this was game-breaking James Bell, who together with Cole Gerloff, got the Bays moving early at the clearances and with an eye-catching goal on the run.

Finishing with 25 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles and his goal, Bell was a major catalyst in setting up the victory, which was Glenelg’s second highest against the Eagles since their 1991 merger.

Just as the Bays got rolling early, the Eagles were dealt a severe blow with the loss of captain Joey Sinor, who was forced from the field via a stretcher 22 minutes into the first term.

The brave skipper went back with the flight of the ball without fear for his safety but was left clutching his jaw as he left Adelaide Oval, having collided with Tiger Will Chandler and teammate Max Litster.

And when Eagles defender Cameron Fleeton was unable to return after half-time, it left Sam Jacobs’ charges two players short for the second half.

Glenelg turned the screws in the second half as they racked up 62 inside 50s to the Eagles’ 41, leading to 36 scoring shots to 20 for the contest.

Leading by 28 points at half-time, the Bays stretched their advantage to 59 by the final change as veteran Chris Curran provided a moment to remember, acknowledging his late dad on father’s day after kicking a rare goal in the third quarter.

The margin allowed Glenelg to cruise toward next Sunday’s First Semi-Final, with Matt Allen tallying 22 disposals and three goals while Corey Lyons worked tirelessly for his game-high 27 possessions and five clearances.

Gerloff racked up 22 touches to go with his first goal of the game while Curran (21 disposals, one goal) Matt Snook (23 disposals) and Billy Stretch (17 disposals, two goals) all had a positive influence.

In attack, Will Chandler provided a genuine spark at ground level as he booted three goals and set up several others from his 11 disposals and three tackles.

Luke Reynolds also booted three classy majors for the Bays while skipper Liam McBean chimed in with two.

Things got worse for the Eagles when defender Josh Morris was forced from the field four minutes into the fourth clutching his shoulder, leaving them with just one fit man left on the bench.

James Rowe worked hard for the Eagles with 19 disposals and five clearances while Zane Williams was lively at times with his 17 touches and a goal.

Veteran ruckman Jarrad Redden finished his career with seven disposals and 38 hit outs while fellow retiree Luke Thompson had 18 disposals in defence after his 256th and final match.

The third retiree, Matt Goldwsorthy, provided a highlight in the final term when he booted a long bomb from the boundary line near the 50m arc, his third major from 15 disposals in his 260th match.