Round 1 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Friday Night

By ZAC MILBANK

Glenelg made a bold statement on the opening night of the 2025 Hostplus SANFL League season, kick-starting its premiership defence with a crushing 64-point win against Port Adelaide at Alberton.

Challenged by a plucky Pies outfit in the first half to lead by just 10 points at the main change, the Bays then out-muscled the hosts with a rampant, nine-goal second half.

The damage was chiefly constructed during the third quarter, in which Darren Reeves’ charges accumulated 28 more disposals and five more clearances while slamming on 6.3 to Port’s two behinds.

Glenelg’s stingy defence, led by 2023 premiership captain Max Proud (18 disposals, six marks), kept the Magpies without a goal from Shay Linke’s conversion in the 17th minute of the second term until the final siren.

The Tigers were clinical after three-quarter time, highlighted by a memorable team goal kicked by Lachie Hosie in time-on of the fourth quarter.

Former Crow Patrick Parnell kicked the ball in after a behind to spark the coast-to-coast major for the visitors, which saw the Sherrin move freely through the arms of Cole Gerloff, Cam McGree and Matt Allen on the outer side before finishing in Hosie’s fourth goal.

Glenelg won the inside 50m count 50 to 36 and clearances by 37 to 25 as its star-studded midfield went to work through the supreme effort of James Bell (23 disposals, five clearances, five tackles) and the Lyons brothers – Corey and Jarryd – who each collected 18 disposals.

Magarey Medallist Luke Partington had an influence in his return with 24 touches while Parnell looked polished distributing from the back half with 19 possessions.

After a quite start to the game, Hosie sprang to life to finish with 4.3 from 14 disposals and 10 marks while Archie Lovelock and captain Liam McBean each booted two goals.

Port coach Hamish Hartlett will be pleased with his side’s resistance in the opening half, with North Melbourne VFL recruit Jack Watkins impressing on debut with a game-high 27 disposals and eight marks.

Former Gold Coast Sun Rory Atkins restricted Hosie in the first half while tallying 24 disposals while Dylan Williams had 20 disposals in his 50th Hostplus SANFL League match.

Central District signing Jez McLennan had 17 disposals and five tackles in his Magpies debut while young ruck Dante Visentini took an eye-catching overhead mark in the final term to give the Alberton crowd something to cheer about.