Coaches Report – Reserve & League

Round 19 – Reserves Coaches Report

West Adelaide 4.9.33

South Adelaide 18.15.123

As we approached our final game of the season, the weeks’ theme centred around mateship and connection. It was important to me – and the entire playing group – that we finished our year demonstrating the pride, resilience, and commitment we’ve built across the season.

The opening 10 minutes saw South come out firing, clearly showcasing the intensity required for finals football. To our boys credit, we couldn’t fault the effort. The remainder of the quarter saw a lift in our physicality around the contest and a more positive, attacking brand of football. Jack Hutton led from the front in the midfield, continuing his strong form and contributing with 22 disposals, 11 hit outs, 2 clearances, 4 marks and a goal.

The message at the first break was to reset. We acknowledged the strong start by South but had finished the quarter with momentum. We spoke about the importance of limiting their link-up run and trusting in our ball movement. The boys executed the plan well, effectively slowing South’s transition. Unfortunately, a short lapse late in the term allowed them to regain control and enter the main break with the momentum. Despite this, we were matching them in key areas – both sides registering 20 inside 50s at half-time. The key messaged focused on refining our forward connection and maintaining belief in our method. Young midfielder Sam Burbridge was a key stand out, giving us real drive from the middle with 23 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 clearances, and 3 inside 50s.

The third quarter was arguably our best from a contest and structure perspective. We led +3 in contested possessions, +3 tackles, and our outside game came to life with +12 uncontested marks and +3 uncontested possessions. Jack Oates was superb, building on his outstanding second half of the season. His performance included 24 disposals, 10 marks, and 4 rebound 50s – earning him back-to-back Best on Ground honours. Jacks development has been a real highlight and we’re excited to see what he can produce following a big off-season.

As we headed into the last quarter, the boys were committed to leaving nothing in the tank. I encouraged the boys to play with freedom, back one another, and honour the jumper. The group responded positively, kicking three goals in the final term.

To our incredible members, supporters, volunteers, and staff – thank you. Your dedication and presence week in, week out has not gone unnoticed and is deeply appreciated by me personally, and the wider club.

It has been a challenging season at times, but one filled with significant development and growth. We’ve secured two more wins that last season and, more importantly, continue to shape the foundations for long-term success. This playing group is committed to improving, learning, and chasing success – I can’t wait to see what they produce in 2026.

Goals

Lachlan Tredwell, Jack Hutton, Riley Hill, Judd Hansen

Best Players

Jack Oates, Jack Hutton, Sam Burbridge

Go Bloods!

Ben Hardy

Interim Reserves Coach

Round 19 – League Coaches Report

West Adelaide 7.14.56

South Adelaide 7.8.50

In the final match of the season, West Adelaide defeated South Adelaide by 6-points at Hisense Stadium, finishing the season on a positive note.

On the back of a heavy loss a week earlier, our preparation was crucial to ensure we finished the season strongly. I am indebted to former Hawthorn champion Shaun Burgoyne who took up an invitation to come and speak with our players on Wednesday evening before our main training session. His message was powerful – the hard times don’t last forever and make the good times worth it. We drew energy from his presence and football wisdom.

We also drew energy on game day from the families, friends, partners, and loved ones who joined us in the rooms for the final pre-game address. We found purpose and meaning from those who have endured the highs and lows of the 2025 season and shared a powerful moment together before walking down the race.

In an even first quarter, it was in form half-forward Cade Kennedy who sharked the footy to kick his first goal for the game. South owned more possession in the first term and had opportunities early, kicking the next 3 goals. Jesse Thackeray and Brady Searle were busy through the middle and ably supported by defenders Will Patton and Hamish Dow to weather the storm. Young wingman Joel Parker intercepted a switch and sent the ball long and direct to Tom Scully to turned onto his left foot and snap a clever goal. We finished the first term 2.4 to 3.3.

After the first break, we got the upper hand around the contest but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard. Behinds to Jonty Koehne, Harvey Griffiths and Jye Sinderberry prevented us from taking control of the match but our pressure continued to create opportunities. Cade Kennedy laid a huge tackle on Panther Kyle Marshall who was pinged for holding the ball and composed himself to convert a set shot from 45 meters. Defender Hamish Ellem and wingman Dylan McCormick provided lots of rebound from defensive 50 and helped the team to control the quarter with possession and strong contest.

After half-time, South responded immediately with a classy goal to Emmanuel Ajang. But we quickly responded as Harvey Griffiths volleyed a ball from mid-air to regain the advantage. Our ability to maintain pressure on the opposition was impressive. A Tom Morrish intercept found skipper Isaac Johnson inside 50 and the captain seized the moment to open up an 9-point lead. Minutes later, giant ruckman Caleb May chased down his opponent, forcing another turnover which was marked by McCormick who nailed a set shot and open up a 3 goal lead. The midfield led by Lachie Squire, Johnson, and Searle began to own the inside contest and as Morrish picked up 12 disposals in a commanding third quarter.

The final quarter was characterised by early opportunities to put the result in doubt but three-consecutive behinds to Johnson and McCormick kept the visitors within touch. South’s Ajang continued to threaten and kicked his third goal for the day to set up a tantalising finish. But we struck back immediately with young defender Dow lacing out Scully who went back and nailed his second goal for the game. To South’s credit, they nailed 2 goals within 2 minutes to cut the margin to six points, with 2 minutes remaining. However, Riley Corbett and Lachie Squire both marked important balls to repel South’s attacks before Schuback won a one-on-one battle which helped us keep possession in the final moments of the game. In the final play, Caleb May took a strong pack mark to run down the clock as the siren sounded to end the match and our 2025 season.

We finish the season with a well-earned victory for the players, their families, the coaches and support staff, and the wider West Adelaide community. In a challenging year, it has been an honour to serve this club as interim senior coach – an opportunity I will always cherish – and look forward to 2026 with optimism, focus, and renewed energy. In my final post-match report, I want to thank everyone who has supported me and extend gratitude to Adam Hartlett and Paul Streatfield who gave me the chance to make the move from South Adelaide to West Adelaide in the off-season to continue my coaching career at the Bloods. I also want to acknowledge my beautiful wife Emily, daughter Remi, and son Sonny who have made incredible sacrifices and contributions so I could take on the interim role.

Best Players: Tom Morrish, Jonti Schuback, Brady Searle

Goals: Cade Kennedy 2; Tom Scully 2; Harvey Griffiths, Isaac Johnson, Dylan McCormick

Sam Elliott

Interim Senior Coach