Round 18 SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Central District farewelled long-serving chief executive Kris Grant with a comfortable 33-point win against Adelaide at X Convenience Oval.

Having been at the helm at Elizabeth for the past 44 years, Grant received a rousing round of applause from both Bulldogs and Crows players after the final siren.

It was a fitting send off for Grant, who was in the grandstand for his final home match before he hands the mantle to North Adelaide chief Greg Edwards at season’s end.

The man affectionately known as ”Granty” would have been pleased with his beloved Bulldogs leading at every change en route to opening up a 46-point break at three-quarter time.

Winning the inside 50m count 44 to 32, the hosts had 100-game milestone man Kyle Presbury rack up a team-high 25 disposals and seven clearances while former Glenelg defender Dylan Morton had a career-high 22 touches and eight marks.

Fraser Fort was influential in attack with his three spirited goals while inclusion Nick Lange also chimed in with three for the Bulldogs.

Adelaide’s James Borlase worked hard in the ruck to finish with 23 disposals and 10 marks while Lachlan Sholl had 21 possessions, 11 marks and a neat goal on the run.

Development player Jay Boyle relished his midfield time to collect 25 disposals, six tackles and six clearances.

Port Adelaide’s late fourth term surge was enough to run over the top of South Adelaide by 13 points at Alberton Oval.

Keeping their finals hopes alive, the Magpies were able to withstand several challenges throughout the afternoon from the Panthers after bolting out to a 25-point lead at the first change.

South dominated the second term to reduce the margin to just two points at half-time but Port fought back again to earn a 20-point buffer on the back of a third major to Dylan Williams entering time-on of the third quarter.

Just when South appeared headed for victory when Liam Fitt used his strength to kick truly 20 minutes into the final term, it was former Woodville-West Torrens forward Jake Weidemann who proved the match-winner with two late goals.

The high-flying forward put his team in front in the 23rd minute before stretching the advantage to seven points on the back of his 55m long bomb, featured in the clip below.

Port goalsneak Boyd Woodcock revelled in his midfield role to collect 42 disposals, 13 marks and seven clearances fitting of the Coles Valued Player award.

Tom Clurey was steady across the backline with 23 disposals to match captain Cam Sutcliffe, who also nailed his set shot goal from close range.

Jackson Mead had 22 disposals for Port while Sam Powell-Pepper was solid with 20 touches and a goal.

South veterans Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Broadbent continually attempted to drag their side back into the contest, finishing with 31 and 29 disposals respectively while Sam Skinner was excellent in defence with 22 disposals and 10 marks.

Crafty Panthers Liam Fitt and Eamon Wilkinson kicked three goals each for the visitors.