SPORT v District SAM Rowland (holding flag at right), celebrates premiership glory with the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles Under 18 side. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Sam shares in Eagles victory BALAKLAVA’S Sam Rowland was a lucky part of the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles under 18 premiership team at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, claiming an eightpoint grand final win over Sturt. Rowland had sustained a nasty knock to the shoulder in the team’s qualifying final loss three weeks before and played no part in the following two matches. With the help of a pain-
killing injection and a shoulder guard, he collected 15 touches in the grand final and held his own. “The pain wasn’t too bad but I always knew it was there,” Rowland said. He was also ill for most of the week in the lead-up to the game. “It wasn’t the most ideal preparation imaginable,” Rowland said. Going in to three quarter
REPORT: Les Pearson time 11 points down, the Eagles turned it on in the last, booting three goals to Sturt’s none. “It was a big turn around and our mature-aged players started to get amongst it and just took control,” Rowland said. A match defining moment came when Caleb Lloyd, of Blyth-Snowtown, put in sev-
JAMIE Good bowls for Mallala during a junior cricket match last season.
eral desperate defensive acts deep in Sturt’s attacking 50, saving two certain goals. Luke Dunstan, from South Clare, also played in the premiership team. Matt Appleton was named best on ground with 38 touches, while Matt McDonough booted four goals and collected 28 possessions. Rowland, who is the youngest son of David and Jenny Rowland of Balaklava, said his shoulder might require some minor surgery in the off-season. Coach, Shane Grimm, said the decision to include the utility, as one of two changes to the team, was relatively straightforward. “Really, he probably should have seen someone about his shoulder a bit earlier,” Grimm said. “He saw the doctor during
the week and it was only a birsa pinch and with no chance of any further structural damage, we were very keen for him to play. “Sam is definitely in our best 21, so when we found out he was available, he was straight in.” His versatility also played a part in his selection. “He’s fairly hard at it and we’ve played him forward, down back and he’s also been giving the midfielders a rest throughout the year as well,” Grimm said. Rowland indicated he would be back to give it another shot next season, looking at either studying at university or getting a job in Adelaide and making the big move to the city. “It was definitely a challenging year and probably the
biggest challenge was travelling to Adelaide for training,” he said. “It’s definitely worth it now. “It was an extremely long season though and now it’s a good month or so before preseason starts, so I hope it’s a long month.” Overall, the coach was thrilled with Rowland’s year, claiming he should finish high in the club’s best and fairest count, despite playing several games for the reserves team this year. Rowland was also nominated for the Under 18 MVP award for his 37-possession game in round 20. “At one stage this year, there was talk of him playing league footy,” Grimm said. “I’m sure with a good preseason behind him, he will play that level next year.”
Summer sport starts up • From back page Golf is played all year around, with nine-hole twilight golf at Balaklava Golf Club starting October 18 and running through until March. Tee off is between 5.30 and 6pm on Thursday evenings. Entry fee includes a barbecue afterwards. Contact Dave Rodgers 0417 770 032 a/h if you’d like more info. The golf club is also holding its annual auction night on October 20 with an Olympics theme. Contact the club, Cherie Taylor or Genni Edwards, if you’d like to attend. Little Athletics at Port Wakefield had a registration and fun day on Monday. Vice president and secretary, Jo Anderson, said, “We had 20 to 30 children participate last year, ranging in age from three to under 17, and we look to have about the same number this year.” A modified tiny-tots program is for children three to five years, while children from six to under 17 train together.
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The children train on Monday nights at Port Wakefield oval in jumping, throwing and running activities. If you’d like to find out more about Little Athletics, phone Jo on 0437 420 841. Cricket practise has started around the district too. Lower North Cricket Club president, Hayden Battle, is hoping for strong competition in the Stanley Cricket Association this season, which opens October 20. The club is fielding an A and B grade side, and an Under 16 junior team. Chris Chapman is coaching the U16 side, and Martyn Bond takes the reins of U12 mixed competition, which will be played locally each week. Coaching for U12 and U16 starts Thursday October 11 at 4.30pm in Ralli Pavilion. Milo In2 cricket, for children under eight years, will be played on Saturday mornings this year, and Hayden will be the coach. Contact Hayden 0438 621 750 or
Chris 0427 633 059 if you’re interested in cricket. There’s plenty of choices for summer sports, so if anyone would like to play, all clubs would like to hear from you!
JOHN Michael tees off at Balaklava last season.
Plains Producer, Wednesday October 10, 2012