Round 15 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Sturt sent an ominous warning to its SANFL U18 rivals as it toppled ladder-leading Glenelg by nine points at Stratarama Stadium.

Determined to bounce back from its upset loss to the Eagles last round, the Double Blues did exactly that as they kept the Tigers without a goal in the third term while also building a 52-39 advantage with inside 50m entries.

Sturt ruck Blake Thredgold was a key pillar in his team’s victory while providing opportunities for teammates Connor Mills (22 disposals, one goal) and Harley Barker (16 disposals).

The Tigers, still sitting at the top of the premiership table, were well served by Oliver Betterman (30 disposals), Lachlan Ryan (16 disposals, one goal) and Remi Brown (17 disposals).

North Adelaide overpowered South Adelaide in the second half to cruise to a comfortable 51-point win at Flinders University Stadium.

Leading by just seven points at half-time, the Roosters piled on the pain for the Panthers by slamming on 9.5 to 2.3 across the final two quarters.

Louie Montgomery (22 disposals), Oliver Francou (29 disposals, two goals) and Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (18 disposals) were instrumental in securing the premiership points for the visitors.

South’s Cohen Shortridge battled hard at the stoppages to register 23 disposals, eight clearances and 15 tackles while Panther talls Jake Agnew (21 disposals) and captain Jacob Sheean (20 disposals) also tried to stem the tide.

Woodville-West Torrens dried up West Adelaide’s avenues to goal as it stamped its authority with a 65-point win at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Both sides were locked on 2.1 each at the first change when West’s Mitch Marsh goaled 25 minutes into the opening term.

But that would be the Bloods’ last scoring shot until Marsh booted his second major in the fourth minute of the fourth quarter, illustrating the Eagles’ defensive prowess.

Eagles captain Jett Hasting proved too difficult for the Bloods to curtail as he racked up 36 disposals, eight marks and five clearances while fellow Eagles Lachlan Sands (22 disposals) and Jack Gray (13 disposals, five goals) were also significant influences on the result.

West’s Fletcher Dillon and Bailey White battled hard on a tough day at the office for the visitors.

Central District responded to its consecutive losses by carving out an impressive 33-point win against Norwood at X Convenience Oval.

After succumbing to West Adelaide and North Adelaide in the past two rounds, the Bulldogs regained much-needed confidence by leading at every break and establishing a commanding presence at the stoppages by winning the clearances 39 to 17.

Bulldogs Thomas Cochrane (25 disposals, one goal), Ryan Lane-Ellis (26 disposals, 10 clearances) and Beau Ryan (26 disposals, two goals) dominated the play for the hosts.

Norwood’s coaching staff praised the efforts of Noah Daw (22 disposals), Jim Kelly (21 disposals) and Darcy Speyer (18 disposals, one goal).