Round 18 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Central District has all but sewn up the vital finals double chance after edging out Glenelg by a point at X Convenience Oval.

Despite not managing a goal until Aiden Grace saluted seven minutes into the third term, the Bulldogs displayed tremendous resilience to break an 11-game losing streak against the Tigers.

Now sitting in third spot on the ladder, Paul Thomas’ men slowly chipped away at the Bays’ lead, which was as high as 29 points when Riley Holder kicked the opening goal of the third quarter.

Earning their first win against Glenelg since Round 13 2018, the Bulldogs edged in front when defender Rhett Montgomerie marked an errant clearing kick from 40m out directly in front.

Montgomerie missed but his behind proved to be the difference as the hosts held on to ensure they are in the box seat to hold on to a Qualifying Final berth, now just requiring a win against Port in Round 19.

The former Essendon rookie was one of his team’s best in defence with 19 disposals and nine marks while fellow backman Jez McLennan was equally poised with 18 touches.

Harry Grant worked hard for 21 disposals, nine clearances and 11 tackles while AAMI Rookie Dyson Sharp made an impression on debut with 14 disposals, six clearances, 10 tackles and a goal.

Grace was his team’s only multiple goal scorer with three of his team’s six majors while Tiger Riley Holder booted two.

Glenelg teenager Ben Ridgway thrived in the wet conditions to rack up 25 disposals, eight clearances and a goal while James Bell and Corey Lyons worked hard for their 23 touches each.

Adelaide is well in the frame to snare fifth spot on the Hostplus SANFL League ladder after easily accounting for Port Adelaide by 77 points at Adelaide Oval.

Now level with Woodville-West Torrens on eight wins, the Crows built vital percentage with their comfortable win against the Magpies.

Facing Sturt at Thomas Farms Oval in the final round, Adelaide will need to defeat the Double Blues and make up at least 3.6 percent should the Eagles defeat Norwood at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

And if the Crows can replicate the form they displayed in the SANFL Showdown, they will give Sturt a shake after pouring in 17.6 across the final three terms to the Pies’ 3.8.

Michael Godden’s men seemed to flick a switch after trailing by five points at the first change as they ended up winning the inside 50m count by 59 to 39.

Veteran Crow Brodie Smith proved he is a class above State League level with a match-high 34 disposals and eight marks while Billy Dowling collected 30 possessions and a goal.

Chayce Jones had 24 disposals and first-year draftee Charlie Edwards carried on his form after last round’s breakout performance with 22 disposals and a goal.

But the Crows will be most satisfied with the performance of potential father-son selection Tyler Welsh, who booted a career-high five goals without a miss from his 12 disposals and six marks.

Even without Lachie Gollant, who booted 8.0 last round, the Crows had players lining up to hit the scoreboard as Chris Burgess booted four goalswhile Karl Gallagher and Toby Murray recorded a pair each.

Port’s Will Lorenz continued to grow in stature at State League level, chalking up a team-high 27 disposals, nine clearances and 12 tackles while Josh Sinn had 23 disposals and seven marks.

Tall Magpies forward Tom Scully was his team’s only multiple goal kicker with two.

Woodville-West Torrens took a major step towards securing fifth spot at the end of the minor round with a confidence-boosting 57-point win against South Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium.

Snapping a six-game losing streak, the Eagles not only banked their first win since Round 10 but also valuable percentage as they attempt to keep fellow finals contenders Adelaide and North Adelaide at arm’s length on the ladder.

Leading by just two points at the first change, the visitors pushed the margin out to 10 points at the half before turning on the jets in the second half to pile on 13.7 to 6.2.

Boasting a massive inside 50m advantage of 61 to 32, the Eagles also dominated the clearances 40 to 27 as James Rowe regained form with 29 disposals, seven clearances, eight marks and four goals in a stunning display.

Eagles captain Joey Sinor was also prominent with 24 disposals and nine clearances while Max Beattie had 22 touches.

Eagles giant Connor Ballenden had a significant influence with 20 disposals, nine marks and 3.3 on the scoreboard while veteran Matt Goldsworthy nailed four goals in the final term.

South’s Sid Draper resumed from his week’s rest to rack up 23 disposals and six clearances while Elliot Dunkin led the Panthers on the disposal column with 25.

Kobe Mutch had 22 disposals against his old team while Damon Freitag was South’s only multiple goal scorer with two.

Sturt strung together its 12th win in succession as it kept its minor premiership hopes alive with a crunching 57-point victory against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Drawing level with first-placed Norwood on 28 premiership points, the Double Blues are just 0.2 per cent behind their neighbourhood rivals leading into a final minor round contest against Adelaide at Thomas Farms Oval.

The Redlegs will face Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval as they attempt to hold on to top spot.

Earning their 18th win in a row against the Bloods, Martin Mattner’s charges were at their workmanlike best as they held the host to just 4.8 (32) for the match and just 1.5 in the second half.

After a scratchy opening half in inside 50m, the visitors regained some fluency as they piled on 9.7 as they enjoyed a 55-33 inside 50m advantage.

Sturt’s Will Snelling, who was a member of the Bloods squad in 2015 when they last defeated the Double Blues, earned the Coles Value Player award for his 28 disposals, six clearances and 12 tackles.

Sturt skipper James Battersby collected 31 disposals, eight clearances and eight tackles while Tom Lewis laid a staggering 18 tackles to go with his 26 disposals and five clearances.

Sam Conforti was creative while also kicking three goals for the Double Blues while James Mathews kicked a pair as Connor McFadyen battled to find his radar with a tally of 1.5.

West duo Sam Frost and Kobe Ryan battled valiantly throughout the afternoon, Frost racking up a game-high 36 dispsoals, 10 clearances and eight tackles as Ryan finished with 29 disposals and 12 clearances.

Bloods goalsneak Josh Gore kicked half of his team’s goals with 2.2.