Round 13 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood giant James Van Wyk’s sixth goal proved to be the match-winner as the Redlegs escaped with a dramatic three-point win in Round 13 of the SANFL U18s against Woodville-West Torrens at The Parade.

With his side trailing by three points, Van Wyk earned a free kick for too high and with less than three minutes left to play, he calmly slotted his set shot from 20m out, directly in front.

It was a fitting end to Van Wyk’s best-on-ground display which also yielded 21 disposals, six clearances and 17 hit outs to go with his six majors while teammates Noah Daw (21 disposals, nine marks) and Jim Kelly (31 disposals, eight marks) were also prominent in their return from SA U18 duty.

The Eagles’ Ethan Ashley (24 disposals, two goals), Jevan Phillipou (31 disposals, two goals) and Hayden Willmott (19 disposals) fought hard until the final siren.

Sturt strengthened its position as the likely minor premier with a comprehensive 71-point victory against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

Leading comfortably at each change, the Double Blues slammed on 9.2 to the Roosters’ 1.3 after half-time to create a seven-point advantage over second-placed Central District at the top of the premiership table.

Welcoming back a host of SA U18 players, the visitors praised the performance of midfielder Louis Kellaway with 31 disposals, five clearances and six tackles while Jack Nelson (25 disposals, nine clearances) and Noah Mennillo (14 disposals, three goals) also had an impact.

The Roosters were without Sam Cumming, who made his Hostplus SANFL League debut, but still had Bryce Sanders (26 disposals, 12 marks), Ryan Paul (18 disposals) and Sam Tassone (14 disposals, two goals) fly the red and white flag.

Central District was forced to scrap for its hard-fought 15-point win against a plucky South Adelaide at Magain Stadium. 

The Dogs effectively won the match in the first term by kicking 3.3 to 0.1 as the scoring remained even thereafter, both teams surprisingly going without a goal in the fourth quarter.

SA U18 representatives Aidan Schubert (15 disposals, two goals), Matt LeRay (24 disposals, one goal) and Cameron Nairn (16 disposals, four goals) were quick to make their presence felt upon return for the Bulldogs.

South captain Jesse Nye set the tone for his team while emerging midfielders Kodah Edwards (18 disposals, 10 tackles) and Archie Van Dyk (24 disposals, one goal) continued their hot form.

A sensational seven-goal haul from Tiger Gabe Patterson wasn’t enough as West Adelaide upset Glenelg by 20 points at Stratarama Stadium. 

The Bloods burst out of the blocks with a blistering opening term which banked 6.2 to the Bays’ 1.2, allowing the visitors to keep their noses in front for the rest of the match.

West’s Hamish Illman (23 disposals), Lincoln Pitt (18 disposals) and Joseph Raphael were instrumental in constructing their team’s sixth win of the season.

Patterson finished with 7.2 to go with his 13 disposals and eight marks while SA U18 pair Tim Alver (29 disposals) and Luke Candy (33 disposals) were strong in their return for the Tigers.