SANFL club Norwood has emerged as an unlikely contender to be one of the AFL’s next two expansion teams.
Tasmania is all but certain to become the 19th team in the competition in the next few years although their long-running bid for admission is still yet to be approved.
Norwood has been touted as a potential 20th club down the track in opposition to other options such as Darwin and Canberra with South Australian sports commentator Chris Dittmar claiming on Triple M Adelaide Breakfast that plans have been hatched for the Redlegs to make the leap into the big league.
“There’s an SANFL club putting together a bid, I believe, a group of business people attempting to get into the AFL. I’m led to believe there’s a group of Norwood businesspeople. When Port Adelaide went in, there was a lot of talk at the time.
“There was a joint bid at some time, Port and Norwood were talking together at one point. And then both went separately.”
Adelaide Crows entered what was then the VFL in 1991 with Port Adelaide joining the AFL in 1997.
Norwood, founded in 1878, are the reigning SANFL champs after winning their 31st flag last year.
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Injured Giant Wehr out, but star duo poised to return
Luckless Giants utility Jacob Wehr will be sidelined for at least two months after breaking his scapula in their round two loss to West Coast.
The 24-year-old was flattened in their season-opening win by Shane McAdam, with the Adelaide Crow rubbed out for three weeks for the unlawful bump.
Wehr regrouped to take on the Eagles, but was subbed out in the second quarter of their 19-point loss with a suspected AC joint injury after a hit by Liam Duggan.
Giants coach Adam Kingsley confirmed the diagnosis for the young South Australian following scans.
Jacob Wehr. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“That’s really disappointing for a young guy who’s finding his way,” Kingsley said on Tuesday. “I’ve been really pleased with him on the wing, so to have him missing is disappointing, but that’s footy.”
Tempering his absence is the expected return of All Australian duo Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly for Saturday afternoon’s clash with Carlton at Giants Stadium.
They both missed the trip west after concussion symptoms from round one.
“They’re progressing well through their protocols, but they’ve still got one or two things to tick off before they’re cleared,” Kingsley said.
“They’ve been able to do a little bit, not with the squad yet but in their own training.
“They’ve been able to run, a little bit of the footy, but the next progression will be being ticked off to train with the group on Thursday.
“Speaking to both of them, they seem like they’re both fine without any issues whatsoever.”
The first-year coach said he was considering personnel changes as he looked to provide more marking support for Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene.
He said No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman was a chance for selection despite only booting one goal in their 80-point VFL loss to Essendon, with Kingsley noting he had limited chances.
Th coach said bringing in a forward/second ruck in Kieren Briggs was an option after his VFL showing, particularly with the Blues potentially including two ruckmen in Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet.
“He’s been really strong at VFL level, particularly with the defensive aspect and the follow-up stuff, which is really the key part of the game for him with his athleticism,” Kingsley said of Briggs.
“‘Flynny’ (Matt Flynn) has been really good for us as the first ruck and I’ve been really pleased with his game so far, so there’s a chance it could happen.”
With Carlton edging champions Geelong last round, Kingsley described taking on the Blues as a “huge challenge”.
“They played really well against the reigning premiers,” he said.
“They looked really sharp, they’re strong in the contest and really good on the outside, so they’ll challenge us in different areas.
“But we trust the way we play and feel we’re making some progress.”
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/1Q7fW0o News: SA team tossed up as expansion option, Giant blow with broken scapula
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