Round 4 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Sturt charged home to tie up the scores with less than 90 seconds on the clock in its Round 4 SANFL U18 clash with West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium. 

Trailing at every change and without a major for the first quarter, the Double Blues drew level on 64 points when key forward Griffin James calmly converted his set shot after taking a juggled mark on the lead.

Neither side was able to trouble the scorer for the remainder of the contest as Richmond father-son prospect Louis Kellaway starred for the Blues with 33 disposals, eight clearances and six tackles.

He received great support from teammates Gill Wakelin and Julian Dawson while Westies were well-led by Gus Downs, Thomas Kain and Harper Ryan, the younger brother of Bloods’ League star Kobe.

Glenelg managed to hold off a fast-finishing North Adelaide outfit by just six points at Stratarama Stadium.

Working hard to establish a 21-point lead at half-time, the Bays held on for the premiership points despite being outscored 5.7 to 2.10 in the second half.

Tigers’ mobile ruck Reed Francis Nia-Nia (13 disposals, two goals, seven marks), Thomas McKay (25 disposals) and captain Tim Alver (25 disposals) were praised by their coaches.

Roosters Josh Casey (20 disposals, two goals), Bryce Sanders (three goals) and Sam Cumming (27 disposals) were at the forefront of their team’s late charge.

A Dougie Cochrane masterclass proved pivotal in Central District’s 35-point win against South Adelaide at X Convenience Oval.

Last year’s Kevin Sheehan Medallist at the AFL U16 National Championships underlined his talent with a stunning display which yielded 6.2 from seven marks and 20 disposals.

Cochrane, still a ”bottom-ager” at U18 level, was well supported by Bulldog teammates Cameron Nairn (20 disposals, four goals) and Aidan Schubert (17 disposals, four goals).

South battled to keep in touch with its rival as Kody Shortridge (three goals), captain Jesse Nye and midfielder Kodah Edwards (25 disposals) refused to concede.

Woodville-West Torrens has emerged as the early pacesetter in the SANFL U18s after brushing Norwood aside by 40 points at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

The only team boasting a 3-1 win-loss record, the Eagles were boosted by a 49-37 inside 50 count and nine goal kickers while leading comfortably at each change.

In form half-back Jack Cook racked up a team-high 31 disposals and nine tackles while Jack Leys (21 disposals, two goals) and Jack Mumford (five goals) were also influential for the Eagles.

Norwood captain Darcy Speyer provided plenty of resistance with a game-high 32 disposals while Noah Daw (26 disposals, 10 marks) and Mitchell Stevenson (four goals) also contributed strongly.