Round 12 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

An influential display from talented forward Jay Polkinghorne propelled Norwood to its second SANFL U18 win of the season, by 17 points against South Adelaide at The Parade.

From the Redlegs’ Eyre Peninsula recruiting zone, Polkinghorne made his presence felt with 16 disposals, five marks, five tackles and four goals, including the sealing major in the 24th minute of the final term.

But his heroics wouldn’t have been possible without the midfield drive from his Norwood teammates in Thomas Hill (23 disposals), Jeff Rozenbilds (22 disposals) and Jake Hill (22 disposals).

South’s Jake Agnew did his best to turn the tide his team’s way with four goals and 13 disposals, receiving solid support from Ben Dittmar and Max Savage.

Central District used its supreme efficiency to out-muscle Glenelg by 26 points in a top-of-the-table clash at X Convenience Oval.

Now joining the Tigers in the top two with 10 wins for the season, the Bulldogs made the most of their four extra inside 50 entries while only having one more scoring shot than the visitors.

Riley McDonald (21 disposals) and Brodie Wills (20 disposals) were in the action for the hosts but James Noack was lauded by his coaches as the Dogs’ best afield.

Glenelg co-captain Charlie McAuliffe fought hard with 17 disposals and three goals while Connor Gluyas and Kallan Bevan picked up 19 disposals each.

Woodville-West Torrens slipped into the top four after holding on for a nine-point win against a plucky North Adelaide at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

With both the Eagles and Roosters banking six wins each for the season, the hosts’ superior percentage (six per cent) is the only difference between the two contenders after 12 rounds of action.

Eagle Zac Schwarz (33 disposals, seven clearances, seven tackles) was a key reason behind his team leading at every change as Griffyn Hansen and Jack Gray (four goals) played valuable roles in the victory.

North ball magnets Sam Cumming (30) and Oliver Francou (33) collected 63 disposals between them while Jayden Hawkins also did his best to haul the visitors in front.

Sturt solidified its spot as a finals contender with a comfortable 65-point triumph against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Surprisingly, the Double Blues had seven fewer inside 50 entries and eight fewer clearances but their overall possession overwhelmed the Bloods while recording 46 more marks.

Sturt wingman Harley Barker returned from State duty to rack up 28 touches and a goal while teammates Louis Kellaway (25 disposals) and Wil Thomas (23 disposals and two goals) were also prominent figures.

West will look to improve its efficiency with ball in hand as Joel Parker (18 disposals), Sam Burbridge (21 disposals, one goal) and Will Ashton (20 disposals) battled hard.