Round 10 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

A third quarter explosion was the catalyst for Adelaide’s comfortable 45-point win against Central District at X Convenience Oval.

Grinding hard against the Bulldogs to lead by just three points at half-time, the Crows overwhelmed the Dogs by piling on three goals inside the first seven minutes after the main change.

It was a sign of what was to come as Matthew Wright’s men proceeded to pile on 6.7 while holding the hosts scoreless throughout the premiership stanza.

Suddenly the visitors’ advantage had ballooned out to 46 by three-quarter time as both sides managed just one major each in the final term.

Adelaide’s run proved too much for Central to overcome as it racked up 48 more handballs for the match as the Crows’ midfield depth became evident.

Adelaide didn’t have anyone star but the contributions of Chayce Jones (21 disposals, one goal), Lachlan Sholl (20 disposals), Jay Boyle (19 disposals), Billy Dowling (19 disposals), Charlie Edwards (19 disposals) and Luke Nankervis (19 disposals, one goal) were equally valuable.

Star draftee Sid Draper collected 18 disposals, four clearances and seven tackles in his second full SANFL game in succession while Chris Burgess caused the scoreboard damage for the Crows with four goals from 12 disposals.

Central’s running machine Kai Pudney had a game-high 29 disposals but without recent draftee Mani Liddy and suspended Harry Grant, the Dogs battled for multiple midfield contributions.

The Bulldogs have now slipped down to fifth spot on the ladder after losing their last three matches in succession.

Port Adelaide strung together its third win in succession with a hard-fought 15-point victory against Woodville-West Torrens at Alberton Oval. 

The Magpies had eight fewer inside 50 entries yet managed five more scoring shots as they responded to the visitors’ persistent challenges throughout the second half.

After bursting out to a 22-point lead at the first change, the hosts were then forced to withstand the Eagles’ second quarter charge off the back of an alarming 16-3 inside 50m count.

But three goals in a row midway during the third quarter proved to be the tipping point as Hamish Hartlett’s charges gained control while Jeremy Finlayson, Ewan Mackinlay and Ollie Lord hit the scoreboard.

A rare goal for Jez McLennan, his first in the black and white, was an impressive snap which gave his side a 20-point buffer early in the final term.

The wind advantage to the southern end dropped at the Eagles’ expense and while forward Daniel Sladojevic got his side within eight points in the 17th minute of the last term, Port had enough to gain the premiership points.

Classy Port midfielder Christian Moraes was adjudged the X Golf Player of the Day in his first Hostplus SANFL League match, collecting 24 disposals, four clearances and six tackles.

Dylan Williams racked up a team-high 27 disposals across half-back for Port while Jack Watkins played a steady hand with 22 touches and five clearances.

Mackinlay finished with 19 disposals and four shots on goal as Finlayson, Lachie Charleson and Ollie Lord each booted two goals for Port.

Eagles bigman Connor Ballenden kicked half of his team’s goals with four, including a massive set shot from the edge of the centre square.

Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Kobe Mutch racked up 28 disposals, 11 clearances, 12 tackles and a goal while James Rowe had 26 disposals and six clearances.

Max Beattie continues to thrive in his half-back role, running hard for 25 disposals while his Eagles captain Joey Sinor had 21 disposals and 11 tackles.