Round 4 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Sunday

Woodville-West Torrens fired off an ominous warning by knocking off early pacesetter Adelaide by 21 points at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

The Eagles led at every change to control the contest against the previously unbeaten Crows, applying constant scoreboard pressure despite having three fewer inside 50s for the match.

Holding on to a six-point advantage at the final change, Sam Jacobs’ charges saved their best surge of the encounter for the first half of the final term, banging on four of the first five goals to open up a 26-point advantage.

Crafty Zane Williams was in the thick of it for the Eagles, if he wasn’t winning the ball out of the centre, he was kicking eye-catching goals himself.

After nailing a clever snap from a double-handed bounce just before half-time, the former Geelong forward extracted the ball out of pack to snap while in mid-air to put his side up by more than three goals in the fourth quarter.

Then teammate Luke McKay coolly smashed through a set shot from 50m to effectively push the Eagles up to a 3-1 win-loss record, level with the Crows, Glenelg and Central District.

Returning Eagles midfielder Kobe Mutch continued his red-hot start to the season with 28 disposals, eight marks and a goal while Max Beattie was near flawless with his 24 disposals from the back half.

Eagles captain Joey Sinor was his courageous self with 22 disposals, illustrated by a gutsy intercept mark in front of on-coming traffic nine minutes into the final term as Adelaide mounted a late charge.

Eagles’ swingman Lukas Cooke also impressed in defence with 19 disposals and nine marks while first-year youngster Jett Hasting continues to do his best Matt Goldsworthy impression in the No.29 guernsey, booting three influential goals.

Adelaide’s Sid Draper, playing his first Hostplus SANFL League game for the Crows, got the workout he craved with 28 disposals and eight clearances while Sam Berry worked hard for his 26 touches and two goals.

Crows ruck Lachlan McAndrew was again solid in the middle with 16 disposals, eight clearances, five tackles and 37 hit outs while Luke Pedlar battled hard under duress to finish with 18 disposals and two goals.

Sturt extended its astonishing winning streak over West Adelaide to 19 with a powerful 76-point blitz at Thomas Farms Oval.

Now sitting at the top of the Hostplus SANFL League ladder as the only unbeaten team, the Double Blues notched their fourth consecutive win with a rampaging second half which yielded 10.7 to the Bloods’ 1.5.

The signs were ominous early as the hosts led the inside 50 count 14-5 at quarter-time, ensuring they were well on the path to keeping West without a win against them since Round 16, 2015.

The Blues finished with a 54-33 inside 50 count for the match but coach Marty Mattner would have been most pleased with how this translated on to the scoreboard as his team piled on 17.15 (117).

Sturt is seeking to improve its potency in 2025 and it was the small-forward brigade which chimed in nicely as Sam Conforti and James Mathews booted three goals each, with veteran Josh Hone contributing two.

Lead-up forwards Tom Emmett and Connor McFadyen kicked a pair each as the visitors had few answers whilst trying to attempt Sturt’s constant surge.

Unheralded Sturt midfielder Jared Dakin took his opportunity to shine with 20 disposals and three goals while Tom Lewis racked up 24 touches, 10 tackles and seven clearances.

There were few positives for Westies as they fell to a 0-4 win-loss record but emerging midfielder Lachie Squire (10 disposals, seven tackles) did an admirable job of curbing Magarey Medallist Will Snelling, who finished with 15 possessions and six clearances.

Tireless Bloods midfield pair Kobe Ryan (23 disposals, eight clearances) and Sam Frost (21 disposals, five clearances) refused to give in while Dylan White proved he is one to watch at Richmond by collecting 20 disposals and booting a clever snap goal in traffic.