Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Qualifying Final

A Matt Allen poster with less than a minute to play was enough for Glenelg to produce a stunning come-from-behind win against Adelaide in the Hostplus SANFL League Qualifying Final.

Seemingly out of the picture after trailing for the majority of the absorbing contest, the Bays dug itself out of trouble through sheer determination in a dramatic final quarter finish, winning 10.14 (74) to 11.7 (73).

Adelaide midfielder Harry Schoenberg looked to have booked a berth for his team against Sturt in the Second Semi-Final when he nailed his 50m set shot in the fifth minute.

It opened up a 13-point advantage in the low-scoring affair amid driving drizzle but the match-winning Lachie Hosie then stood tall when it mattered most.

Held well by Crows defender Jordon Butts for most of the match, Hosie broke free to kick two goals in succession, the second after earning a free kick for holding-the-ball.

This closed the deficit to one-point but it was soon back out to seven when acting Crows captain Kieran Strachan – Jack Madgen was sidelined with injury – snapped truly in the 18th minute.

Just when it looked like the Crows would hang on Bays veteran Luke Reynolds found himself in space inside 50m but was unable to finish on the run as his kick sailed through for a behind.

The Tigers’ No.7 would soon have an opportunity to redeem himself though, when he found himself at the back of the pack in the goal square to execute a volley for goal much to the delight of the Glenelg faithful.

The next six minutes were a physically taxing arm-wrestle as both sides were unable to gain any fluency until the reigning premier produced the match-winning play.

Former Brisbane Lion Jarryd Lyons won the ball at half-forward and booted a nicely timed pass to Hosie on the lead who marked on his chest.

The Ken Farmer Medallist was quick to shoot out a handball to Allen on the move, who dribbled the ball along the ground into the post for the go-ahead behind.

Glenelg only had to survive another 20 seconds or so before the final siren, booking a berth against Sturt in next Sunday’s Second Semi at Adelaide Oval.

Lyons finished with a team-high 24 disposals, seven clearances to go with his game-winning pass to Hosie while Allen tallied 21 disposals and eight marks together with 1.3 and his match-winning behind.

Bays defenders Nick Stevens (24 disposals) and Jonty Scharenberg (22 disposals) set up plenty of the play while Luke Partington (21 disposals, one goal) and James Bell (20 disposals) were also tireless through the middle.

Hosie finished with three goals while veteran Darcy Bailey booted two for the Tigers.

Schoenberg racked up a team-high 29 disposals while Brayden Cook stole the show in the first half with four goals en route to tallying 23 disposals, six marks and six goals to push his case for AFL selection.

Luke Nankervis was also impactful with his 22 disposals, six marks and eye-catching running goal which he sparked on the outer wing late in the second term.

The Crows will now face Norwood, which overcame Central in the Elimination Final, in next Sunday’s First Semi-Final at Adelaide Oval.

Adelaide’s efficiency with ball in hand was on full display throughout the first half as it led by seven points at the main change.

The Crows had 12 fewer inside 50s and three less scoring shots yet used their clean skills in the drizzly weather to positive effect as they made a habit of breaking Tiger tackles in their attacking 50m arc.

Cook booted Adelaide’s first three goals of the game in the first term, including a beauty from tight on the boundary in the scoreboard pocket.

He finished with four for the opening half as Schoenberg, Nankervis and Chayce Jones also made their touches count.

Glenelg certainly had its fair share of the Sherrin before half-time but misses in front of goal proved costly as it tallied 5.8 (38) from its 13 scoring shots.