Round 1 AAMI Talent League Boys Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Sturt began its AAMI Talent League Boys premiership defence in fine style with a rampaging 63-point win against Central District at The Parade.

Making a statement in the first match of the season, the Double Blues shrugged off the Bulldogs after the main change by piling on 9.10 to 1.5.

Sturt vice-captain Lachie Werts got off to a hot start with four goals from his 16 disposals while teammate Ivan Wilkinson also booted four majors as Jack Nelson (23 disposals, two goals) and Will Ekberg (17 disposals) were also influential.

Bulldogs ruck Callan Semmler got his team moving at the centre bounces with 28 hit outs, 13 disposals and three clearances while Tony Marrone (23 disposals, five clearances) and Jai Thomas were also lauded by their coaches.

A three-goal burst after half-time propelled North Adelaide to a comfortable 30-point win against Norwood at The Parade. 

Leading by just five points at the main change, the Roosters were quick to put a match-winning space between themselves and the Redlegs to open up an 18-point advantage by the final break.

AFL Academy ruck Ethan Herbert started his campaign strongly with a match-high 28 disposals, seven marks, seven clearances and 16 hit outs while North teammates Sam Tassone (27 disposals) and Brad Rogers (26 disposals) were also prominent.

Classy Roosters forward Archie Simpson booted a game-breaking haul of four goals, including a ripping snap shot in the clip below.

The Redlegs’ bottom-age midfield pairing of Kai Ivins (21 disposals, one goal) and Charlie Best (24 disposals) worked hard all night while Joseph Nak and Oliver Wilkins kicked two goals each.

West Adelaide survived a late scare to secure a hard-fought nine-point victory against South Adelaide at Richmond Oval.

Last season’s runner-up led for the majority of the contest on home soil only for the Panthers to lead by as much as nine points with five minutes to play.

But successive majors to Bloods trio Josh Bell, Max Perin and Nicholas Dessmann sealed the result for the hosts who were boosted by the performances of Laurence Andriani (30 disposals), Charlie Bradford (16 disposals, three goals) and Crows NGA prospect Anthony Long (20 disposals, one goal).

South skipper Kodah Edwards was outstanding with 24 disposals and four goals while teammates Hudson Boal (23 disposals) and Riley Watchman were also amongst the best.

Glenelg dictated terms from the outset to cruise to a convincing 40-point opening round triumph against Woodville-West Torrens at Richmond Oval. 

Bursting out of the blocks to boot the opening five goals of the game, the Tigers also put the clamps on to ensure the Eagles wouldn’t score their first major until the 10th minute of the second stanza.

Glenelg midfielders Kobe Gibson (20 disposals, three goals) and Jacob McNicol (26 disposals, three goals) not only found plenty of the Sherrin but also hit the scoreboard as talented tall Harry Franz also caught the eye.

The Eagles had captain, and Richmond father-son prospect, Jack Leys work tirelessly for 23 disposals and a goal while Noah Atkinson and Blake Karpany booted two goals each.