Round 12 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

West Adelaide held on for a dramatic one-point win against Central District after the final siren in Round 12 of the SANFL U18s at Hisense Stadium. 

Bulldog Josh Reichelt was awarded a free kick at the top of the 50m arc after the Bloods breached the anti-density law of having two many players in their defensive half.

The final siren sounded and while Reichelt’s long drop punt was accurate, it fell just short of the goal line, leaving the hosts to claim the narrowest of victories.

West’s Lincoln Pitt, Harper Ryan (19 disposals) and Gus Downs were strong contributors while Reichelt (28 disposals), Jack Ryan (25 disposals, two goals) and Jack Gordon (23 disposals, one goal) put their team in with a chance to win.

A powerful second-half performance was the catalyst for Glenelg’s 40-point win against Norwood at Stratarama Stadium. 

A goal to Tiger Reed Francis Nia-Nia in the final minute of the second term appeared to give the hosts plenty of momentum heading into the main change as they piled on 7.6 to the Legs’ 3.4 across the next two quarters.

Athletic Bays pair Ned McCarthy (25 disposals, two goals) and Rex Jones impressed, together with ball magnet Jacob McNicol, who tallied 33 disposals and three clearances.

Norwood captain Darcy Speyer again worked tirelessly for his team-high 31 disposals, 10 marks and seven clearances while fellow onballer Micah Kretschmer and ruck James van Wyk each collected 21 possessions.

Sturt responded to its loss to Woodville-West Torrens in Round 11 by eclipsing the Eagles by 30 points at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval. 

Despite succumbing to their opponents just seven days earlier due to a quirk in the fixture, the Double Blues were far more impressive the second time around as they engineered a 43-30 inside 50m count and a 33-26 edge in clearances.

Sturt’s Jackson Moody (26 disposals, seven marks), Jack Nelson (25 disposals, one goal) and Jonah Lagana (23 disposals) were prime architects in the triumph.

The Eagles welcomed back captain Jevan Phillipou from a broken arm as he tallied 28 disposals, seven clearances and a goal whilst being well supported by Jake Hall (20 disposals) and Jack Mumford (two goals).

A dominant display from North Adelaide ruck Ethan Herbert proved pivotal in his team’s percentage-boosting 59-point victory against South Adelaide at Prospect Oval. 

A member of this year’s SA U18 squad as a ”bottom-ager”, Herbert finished with 25 disposals, 11 clearances, 40 hit outs and a goal as the Roosters kept in touch with the top four by rising to a 6-6 win-loss record.

North’s Alby Bradshaw and Sam Tassone (24 disposals, two goals) also came to Herbert’s aid as Armani-Jacom Scullino and Jay Saunders booted three goals each.

South’s Kodah Edwards backed up his great performance last round with 17 disposals and 15 tackles while receiving solid support from teammates Kai Clark and Harry Wadewitz.