Round 11 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens ensured the race for the SANFL U18s minor premiership remains open after eclipsing competition pacesetter Sturt by 25 points at Thomas Farms Oval.

Leading at each change, the Eagles were powered by a 7.2 second stanza which allowed them to remain in second place just three premiership points behind the Double Blues.

The visitors enjoyed standout displays from Jamie Russell (25 disposals, three goals), Lachlan Sands (23 disposals, two goals) and Max Farrugia (20 disposals, one goal) whilst having as many as six multiple goal scorers.

The return of captain Noah Roberts-Thomson (23 disposals, 11 tackles) from SA U18 duty wasn’t enough to haul the hosts across the line as the skipper received solid support from Ivan Wilkinson (three goals) and Jackson Moody (21 disposals).

North Adelaide ensured it kept touch with the top four by working hard for an 18-point victory against West Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

The Roosters managed to lead for the majority of the contest despite having one less inside 50m entry for the afternoon, picking up the premiership points to be within one victory of fourth-placed Glenelg.

North’s Charlie Dickeson was the dominant performer on the ground whilst racking up 34 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal while Finn Wundenberg and Bradley Rogers tallied 17 disposals each to play their roles well.

West stayed in the hunt during the final term but the efforts of Henry Francis (21 disposals), Patrick Amber (16 disposals) and Lucas White (24 disposals) weren’t enough to get their team in front.

Central District flexed its defensive muscle by restricting Glenelg to just four goals in its 68-point win at Stratarama Stadium. 

The Bulldogs kicked an admirable 15.9 (99) but it was their ability to contain the Tigers to just one major for close to three quarters which proved pivotal in the result.

Central’s Angus Pringle (25 disposals), Dusty Geister (19 disposals, three goals) and Jack Ryan (17 disposals, two goals) were all influential in their team’s success.

The Bays had little to cheer about but Isaiah Clothier (25 disposals, eight tackles), Harvey Croker (22 disposals) and Ben Copping (18 disposals, one goal) refused to concede.

South Adelaide remains a dark horse to sneak into the top four after easily accounting for Norwood by 70 points at Magain Stadium. 

The Panthers may be sitting in seventh place on the ladder but they boast the third-strongest percentage in the competition and are just two wins behind fourth-placed Glenelg.

If star midfielders Kodah Edwards (27 disposals, eight clearances, one goal), Archie Van Dyk (24 disposals, 10 marks, one goal) and forward Hudson Voigt (18 disposals, three goals) can maintain their form, the Panthers will be right in the mix come late August.

Norwood needs a lift across the board but midfielders Micah Kretschmer (32 disposals, 11 marks, six clearances) and captain Darcy Speyer (32 disposals, seven marks, nine clearances) can continue to hold their heads high.