Round 10 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Sturt’s ability to handle the torrential rain proved pivotal in its 22-point win in Round 10 of the SANFL U18s at The Parade. 

Trailing by two points at the first change, the Double Blues were cleaner as they managed 10 more inside 50s despite having fewer disposals than the Redlegs across the course of the challenging evening.

The ladder leaders opened up a nine-point advantage at half-time, which stretched to 19 by the final change as Sam White (20 disposals, one goal), Tadhg Brophy (13 disposals) and Kale Hampton-Matthews (15 disposals) made their presence felt.

Norwood’s Micah Kretschmer thrived in the wet to collect 31 disposals and boot two goals while teammates Jeff Rozenbilds (26 disposals, one goal) and Oscar Di Matteo (13 disposals, one goal) lent solid support.

A superb cameo from Woodville-West Torrens’ Jamie Russell powered his team past Central District by 25 points at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

With his Eagles just three points up at half-time, Russell made his impact on the contest by booting vital goals in the second and third quarters, as well as two in the final term whilst also collecting a team-high 21 disposals.

It helped the hosts pile on 6.4 to 2.6 in the second half to claim a vital win as Mitchell Harris and Frederick Wilson were also influential for the Eagles.

Central’s Jack Gordon had the Sherrin on a string as he registered 32 disposals and a goal while teammates Danyle Doble (19 disposals) and Louis Switala (17 disposals) also chimed in for the visitors.

West Adelaide kept in touch with the top five by earning a valuable 25-point victory against South Adelaide at Hisense Stadium. 

The Bloods now sit in fifth place just outside the top four after banking the premiership points on the back of a strong second half which yielded 5.11 to 3.1.

Westies’ ball magnets Jaylen Sochacki (39 disposals, six clearances) and Archie Walsh (38 disposals, 10 marks) did as they pleased as teammate Oliver Charlesworth was also highly-rated.

South’s Brady McDonald battled hard against the tide to claim 31 touches and nine marks while SA U18 squad members Archie Van Dyk (24 disposals) and Kodah Edwards (20 disposals) made the most of their chance to gain touch.

Glenelg dominated North Adelaide after conceding the first goal to earn a comfortable 32-point win at Prospect Oval. 

Rooster Mason Klenner booted the opener which seemed to spark the Bays into action as they slammed on the next seven goals in succession to take a stranglehold on the contest.

Tiger Ned McCarthy enjoyed a day out with five goals to his name from 20 disposals and seven marks while teammates Harvey Croker (34 disposals, 11 clearances) and Travis Wilson (19 disposals, one goal) also proved hard to stop.

North had strong input from Bradley Rogers (21 disposals, one goal), Zackariah Young (19 disposals, one goal) and Alby Bradshaw (12 disposals, 10 tackles) but struggled to haul itself into the match.