Round 2 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Good Friday

South Adelaide kick-started its 150th birthday celebrations with a gritty 16-point victory against Port Adelaide at Magain Stadium.

Sporting a replica of their 1964 premiership guernsey in front of club greats, the Panthers were able to hold on for their first win of the season after a promising start.

Kicking with a strong breeze to the northern end, the hosts burst out of the blocks to boot six of the first seven goals of the game to take a commanding 29-point lead into the first change.

Despite making the most of a 15-7 inside 50m count in the first term, the Magpies roared back into the contest to trail by just one point at half-time.

But the visitors were dealt a blow when key forward Ollie Lord limped from the field after appearing to twist his knee in the second term, his absence contributing to them managing just two goals in the second half.

South’s four goals with the wind in the third quarter proved pivotal given both sides scored just five behinds between them in the last stanza.

It didn’t matter to the blue and white faithful though as they enjoyed banking the premiersip points on a massive occasion for the club.

Former Hawk Seamus Mitchell impressed with 25 disposals for the hosts while Harley Sparks racked up 28 touches.

Vice captain Ollie Davis collected 23 disposals while Finn Emile-Brennan had 22 and a clever dribbling goal in the opening half.

Port’s Jackson Mead responded to his demotion with a match-high 31 disposals while Rome Burgoyne and Will Lorenz tallied 26 disposals each.

Sturt flexed its muscle with a powerful finish while cruising to a comfortable 59-point win against North Adelaide at Revo Fitness Oval.

Leading at every change and rarely being troubled by the Roosters, the Double Blues piled on 9.12 to North’s 4.4 in the second half.

Despite having less of the Sherrin overall, the visitors were more efficient with 15 more inside 50 entries as Josh Hone (three goals) was well supported with Sam Conforti, Tom Lewis, Jed McEntee and Luca Slade each booting two majors.

Now with two wins from two starts to their premiership defence, the Double Blues maintained focus while confronting former captain James Battersby for the first time.

Magarey Medallist Lews was again outstanding with 30 disposals, 10 clearances and 11 tackles to go with his pair of goals while Marty Frederick also collected 30 touches.

Tom Emmett (26 disposals) worked higher up the ground while Zac Becker and Luca Slade each had 21 possesions.

Battersby tallied 22 disposals and five clearances in his first game against Sturt while Oliver Francou and Angus Schumacher each finished with 30 disposals from the centre square.

Cody Raak was North’s only multiple goal scorer with two.

Glenelg hung tough to snatch a character-building eight-point win against Norwood at Stratarama Stadium.

The Tigers led for just three minutes of the match and went without a goal for nearly an hour but still managed to conjure a stirring triumph under new coach Matthew Clarke.

Denying the Redlegs their first win at Brighton Road in nine years, the Bays slammed through 5.3 to the visitors’ one behind in the final quarter in front of a bumper crowd of 5125.

Kicking just two goals across the first three quarters, the Tigers finished with a flurry as captain Liam McBean booted two goals in the defining period including a brilliant dribbling snap on his left foot.

But it was former Sturt midfielder Joel Thiele, in just his second game for Glenelg, who put his team in front with a curling snap in the 25th minute.

Just two minutes later, Tiger Luke Partington sealed the deal with a set shot from 35m after earning a free kick for holding-the-ball.

Partington finished with 23 disposals while Corey Lyons (25 disposals) and Thiele (21 disposals, 10 in final term) were all important contributors.

Ruckman Cam McGree worked his way into early form by earning Hostplus Super Player status with 22 disposals, four marks and nine clearances against Magarey Medallist Harry Boyd.

Norwood’s Nik Rokahr (31 disposals, seven clearances) and Baynen Lowe (26 disposals) found plenty of the Sherrin while Aaron Francis marshalled the defence with 23 disposals and six marks.

Redlegs Tristan Binder, Jacob Kennerley and Charlie Molan each booted two goals.

A rejuvenated West Adelaide displayed its newfound spirit by snatching a draw against Central District at Richmond Oval. 

Nathan Bassett’s charges led for the majority of the first half but looked vulnerable when the Bulldogs skipped 12-point lead twice during the final quarter.

But these new Bloods refused to wilt as star recruit Chris Burgess converted his towring overhead mark to peg the deficit back to six points in the 22nd minute.

His tall forward sidekick Tom Scully quickly put himself into the fray when he marked on the lead after a nice pass from teammate Joel Parker.

Scully calmly slotted his 40m set shot from a tough angle much to the delight of the Westies fans but they were unable to find the extra point to claim a second win in as many matches.

The scores were locked on 11.5 (71) each at the final siren as Kobe Ryan had 25 disposals for West through the middle while Jonti Schuback collected 24.

Scully booted three goals for the Bloods while Burgess and Michael Laudato kicked two each.

Central, still chasing its first win of the campaign, also showed plenty of determination to get back into the contest after being outplayed before half-time.

Magarey Medallist Harry Grant racked up 28 disposals while inform Luca Whitelum had 25 and six marks.

Bulldogs forward Aiden Grace kicked a match-high four goals while Anzac Lochowiak and first year tall Tallan Rosenzweig kicked two each.