Eagles tune up in the Top End

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens coach Jade Sheedy has hailed the fitness and persistence of his players despite succumbing by 18 points to the NT All-Stars in Darwin on Saturday night.

Fielding a team which featured just seven premiership players, the Eagles understandably ran out of energy in the final term amid the heat and humidity present at TIO Stadium.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Sheedy said he was pleased his charges fought it out despite losing two rotations in the absence of Dane McFarlane (Covid protocols) and Charlie Adams (shoulder injury).

Promising teenage midfielder Adam D’Aloia came into the contest during the second term while defender Zac Buck and wingman Lachlan Hoile were other uncapped youngsters to catch Sheedy’s attention.

Acting captain Sam Rowland made the most of a rare chance to play in the midfield by impressing while former Crow Riley Knight produced a performance to signal he will be one of SANFL’s premier ball-winners again in 2022.

With premiership bigman Jarrad Redden not making the trip north, the returning Seb Guilhaus made an early statement in the ruck as he thrived in the challenging conditions having previously played in the NTFL.

Off the field, Sheedy said the club relished the opportunity to travel north as the Men’s and Women’s program utilised the facilities at the Michael Long Centre across the weekend.

In the curtain-raiser, the Eagles’ Women’s team battled hard but eventually succumbed to the NTFL combination by 78 points.

Exciting young Eagles midfielder Shineah Goody worked tirelessly while former Crow Renee Forth was an experienced contributor throughout the contest for the visitors.

Woodville-West Torrens will open its SANFLW season against Sturt at Hisense Stadium on Saturday February 5.