Round 5 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Sunday

Sturt had all the answers to Glenelg’s questions as it maintained poise late in a tight tussle to win by just eight points at Thomas Farms Oval.

First-year Tiger Harry Ramm calmly put his team in front nearing time-on of the final term but this only seemed to spur the Double Blues into action, the hosts maintaining their unblemished record at the top of the table.

Rebounding Sturt defender let fly from long range to tie up the scores just over a minute later before bullocking Blues midfielder Mitch Crowden muscled his way through traffic to snap the final goal of the game in the 23rd minute.

It was symbolic of the arm-wrestle for much of the day, with Marty Mattner’s men holding the visitors at bay after booting the only five goals of the second stanza to establish a 17-point buffer at half-time.

Sturt had 18 more inside 50 entries which only translated into three more scoring shots but crucially, were able to keep the clamps on the Bays’ ball movement as they also missed the presence of skipper Liam McBean (ankle) and Luke Partington (hamstring).

Still without captain James Battersby (knee), Sturt also battled through the encounter with one less rotation when forward Oliver Grivell (ankle) was sidelined early in the first term.

Tom Lewis was a strong presence in the centre square for the Double Blues with 26 disposals, five clearances, nine tackles and a goal, as he was in the thick of the second quarter surge.

Magarey Medallist Will Snelling had 29 disposals and 10 clearances while Will Coomblas and Casey Voss were rocks in defence for Sturt with 16 disposals each.

Sturt’s Tom Emmett was his team’s only multiple goal kicker as nine Double Blues joined the goal kickers’ list.

Glenelg continued to hang around within striking distance as Matt Allen was superb with three goals to go with his 20 disposals and nine marks.

Star Tiger recruit Jarryd Lyons and defender Max Proud also had 20 disposals while Lachie Hosie booted three goals for the visitors.

Adelaide used a strong breeze to put Norwood on the back foot early as it cruised to a 21-point win at Centenary Oval in Port Lincoln.

Making their debut on the Eyre Peninsula, the Crows slammed on the scoreboard pressure early with an accurate 7.1 in the opening quarter.

It opened up a 36-point lead at the first change which was always going to be difficult for the Redlegs to reel in, particularly while plagued by inaccuracy in front of goal.

The hosts finished with an ugly 8.20 (68) while outscoring the Crows 3.9 to 1.1 in the fourth quarter while also finishing with 21 more inside 50 entries.

Crows ruck Lachlan McAndrew was again a dominant presence in the middle with 11 disposals, four clearances and 49 hit outs as his midfield brigade in Lachie Murphy (27 disposals, two goals), Chayce Jones (25 disposals), Harry Schoenberg (23 disposals) and Blake Drury (21 disposals, three goals) went to work.

Captain Jack Madgen played a steady hand in defence with 20 disposals and six marks while Sid Draper had 16 disposals and three clearances.

Luke Pedlar and Chris Burgess each booted four goals for the Crows, who now sit in third place on the ladder with a 4-1 win-loss record.

Despite now being laden with an 0-5 win-loss record, Jade Sheedy’s charges continue to display promising signs.

Sandover Medallist Nik Rokahr had 27 disposals and a goal while Pierce Seymour toiled hard in the backline for 19 disposals and 10 marks.

Local boys Jacob Newton (from Elliston) and Tristan Binder (Port Lincoln) booted five goals between them for Norwood but it wasn’t enough as Adelaide secured the Teakle Cup for the first time.

West Adelaide broke through for its first win of the season, displaying plenty of determination late in the contest to seal a 13-point triumph against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

Bursting out of the blocks to boot the first five goals of the game while holding the Roosters without a major in the first quarter, the Bloods were then challenged after failing to score in the second stanza.

Even with 15 fewer inside 50 entries for the match, Adam Hartlett’s side found its spirit when North got within a kick after Frank Szekely goaled in the 23rd minute of the fourth term.

But youngster Charlie Haysman, in just his third League game, sealed the victory for West with a set shot finish from 45m which just cleared the goalline.

West’s Kobe Ryan was his industrious self with 24 disposals, eight clearances and six tackles while shouldering a heavy load in the absence of co-captain Sam Frost, who hurt his AC joint early in the contest.

Emerging midfielder Cade Kennedy stepped up to secure 19 disposals, six clearances and 11 tackles while Callum Park had 20 touches from the back half for the Bloods.

Nippy goalsneak Dylan McCormick set the tone early with three goals in the first term while Joel Parker and Ned Stevens kicked two goals each, the latter with a crucial major after the three-quarter time siren.

North squandered several opportunities in front of goal before finishing with 7.16 (58) for the match as Harrison Wigg tallied a team-high 25 disposals.

Angus Schumacher finished with 21 disposals and two goals for the Roosters while Dyson Hilder showed off his mobility with 20 disposals, eight marks and seven clearances.

Szekely banked three goals for the afternoon to go with 13 touches and six marks while Zavier Maher had 21 disposals and eight clearances for North, who still sit just outside the top five with a 2-3 win-loss record.