Round 8 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Sunday

Norwood has announced itself as the team to beat in the Hostplus SANFL League after easily eclipsing Woodville-West Torrens by 44 points in the top-of-the-table clash at The Parade. 

After narrowly losing their opening two matches to Sturt and Glenelg, the red hot Redlegs have since gone on a six-game winning streak to now sit in first place on the premiership table with a healthy percentage of  63.37.

The hosts led from Declan Hamilton’s goal to open their account in the third minute of the first quarter en route to stretching their advantage out to as much as 62 points nearing time-on of the final term.

Dominating overall possession, the inside 50m count 50-35 and marks 124 to 84, the Redlegs looked every bit the premiership favourite despite the Eagles booting the final three goals of the game to trim their deficit by 18 points in red time.

Key Norwood defenders Aaron Francis and Pierce Seymour are teaming together nicely as they continue to control the air, this time swallowing 28 marks between them while also combining for 59 disposals.

Michael Taylor Medallist Nik Rokahr racked up a game-high 33 disposals and kicked a goal as he set the tone in the centre square with support from Cooper Murley (28 disposals), Baynen Lowe (24 disposals, two goals) and Kade Dittmar (21 disposals, eight tackles).

The Legs shared their goal scoring around as Tristan Binder, Lowe and Hamilton all kicked two majors while captain Jacob Kennerley celebrated his 100th match by joining nine other Norwood players on the goal kicking list.

Still reeling from losing key players Max Beattie, Lukas Cooke and Liam Puncher in the AFL Mid-Season Draft, the Eagles could only manage three goals across the opening three terms before outscoring the Redlegs 4.0 to 3.3 after three quarter-time.

Hard-working Eagles midfielders Ted Clohesy and Kade Herbert collected 26 disposals each while Nick Hayes and Patrick Weckert kicked two goals each for the visitors.

Sturt is building ominous momentum as it strung together its third success in succession with a comfortable 29-point win against South Adelaide at Magain Stadium. 

The Double Blues are now hovering just outside the top three after accounting for the Crows, Bulldogs and Panthers in impressive fashion since their shock loss to West Adelaide in Round 5.

A six-goal second term was the catalyst for the visitors’ triumph against South, as they took control of the key statistic categories, including inside 50s with a final count of 49 to 36 proving pivotal.

Magarey Medallists Will Snelling (32 disposals) and Tom Lewis (26 disposals) took control of the contest in the centre square as classy Alex Holt (24 disposals) continues to catch the eye since returning from a hand injury last week.

Fellow midfielder Jared Dakin (21 disposals) is another starting to warm into his 2026 campaign after an injury-plagued start while Mitch Crowden will be knocking on the door at selection in Round 9 after finding plenty of the Sherrin in his two Reserves outings since recovering from an ACL injury suffered last year.

Oliver Grivell led the way with three goals for the Double Blues while Josh Hone, Sam Conforti, Marty Frederick and Loch Rawlinson kicked a pair each.

South vice-captain Oliver Davis continued his ultra-consistent season with 27 disposals and two goals while Arlo Draper (24 disposals) and Finn Emile-Brennan (23 disposals) did their best to haul in the deficit.

Panthers spearhead Ben Shillabeer booted three goals while Davis, Jack Delean and Tye Gander booted two goals a piece.

Seven goals in succession ensured Glenelg would cruise to a 45-point victory against North Adelaide at Revo Fitness Oval. 

After a slow start, North responded to lead by nine points when Cody Raak converted in the 10th minute of the second term.

But that’s where the scoring dried up for the Roosters as the Bays went on their match-defining rampage to transform their deficit into a 34-point advantage late in the third stanza.

And it was that man Lachie Hosie who proved to be the difference-maker, booting four of his five goals in the momentum-swinging surge for the Tigers.

Maintaining their place inside the top three, Matthew Clarke’s charges were efficient with the Sherrin as they engineered five more inside 50s despite having 35 less disposals overall.

Hosie, who finished with 14 disposals and seven marks to go with his five-goal haul, was a standout while captain Liam McBean was also influential with two majors, 17 disposals and seven marks.

Magarey Medallist Luke Partington had a team-high 26 disposals while Jonty Scharenberg (22 disposals), Matt Allen (18 disposals, two goals) and Archie Lovelock (18 disposals) did their bit.

Regular Glenelg defender Will Patton was sent forward and booted two goals to stretch out his career tally to three after 38 matches while AAMI Rookie Lachlan Scannell also impressed on debut.

North – which lost midfielder Oliver Francou and ruck Alex Van Wyk to the AFL Mid Season Draft during the week – had captain Alex Spina (28 disposals) and Angus Schumacher (27 disposals) battle hard all afternoon.

Will Gowers managed 21 disposals in his first Hostplus SANFL League game of the season while Will Francou kicked 2.2 from his 20 disposals for the Roosters.