Round 11 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood fell agonsingly short of producing a stunning SANFL U18 upset of Sturt, with a goal kicked on the full-time siren leaving the Redlegs one point behind at The Parade.

Desperate to record their second win of the season, the hosts were within seven points with seven minutes to play in the final term but were unable to score a goal until Jay Polkinghorne kicked truly as the match concluded.

Sturt prime movers Oscar Merrett (26 disposals, one goal) and Felix Katsaros (24 disposals) were positive influences around the ball as Jasper Maher hit the scoreboard with five goals to go with his 18 touches.

Norwood lauded the tireless efforts of Jake Hill (27 disposals, one goals), Jeff Rozenbilds (18 disposals, one goal) and Jack Michalanney, the younger brother of Crow Max Michalanney.

Glenelg’s high kick-to-handball ratio played a role in its 34-point victory against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

The Bays preference to use the ball by foot was evident as it registered 202 kicks and 107 handballs to lead at every change as the Roosters recorded 166 kicks and 147 handballs.

Inform Tigers midfielder Kallan Bevan continued his nice touch with 31 disposals and nine clearances while teammates Jack Wisneske (26 disposals) and Remi Brown lent solid support.

North battled hard to get into the contest thanks largely to Hunter Press (16 disposals, three goals), Oliver Francou (28 disposals, one goal) and Tom Stevens (16 disposals).

A second-half South Adelaide surge engineered it a comfortable 36-point win against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium. 

Trailing by five points at half-time, the Panthers clicked into gear as they slammed on 9.3 to the Bloods’ 2.4 across the final two quarters.

Classy South speedster Benny Barrett was instrumental in turning the match in his team’s favour with 19 disposals, eight clearances, 12 tackles and a goal while Cohen Shortridge (27 disposals, two goals) and Thomas Renshaw (16 disposals, two goals) were also at the forefront of their team’s charge.

The Bloods received valuable performances from tireless midfielder Sam Burbridge (32 disposals, two goals), Joel Parker and Archie Walsh (21 disposals, 10 tackles).

Three goals during time-on in the third quarter was enough to edge Central District across the line by 14 points against Woodville-West Torrens at X Convenience Oval.

Leading by just two points, the Bulldogs suddenly established a 20-point buffer at the final change thanks to goals from Cameron Nairn, Lachlan Giles and Riley McDonald in succession.

It would prove to be enough for the hosts to hold on as Nairn (21 disposals, three goals), Ryan Lane-Ellis (30 disposals, one goal) and James Noack left an imprint on the game’s outcome.

Eagles James McGorman, Charlie West (19 disposals, two goals) and Jevan Phillipou (20 disposals, two goals) caught the eye of their coaching staff.