Round 13 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

West Adelaide’s Mitchell Marsh produced a stunning match-winning goal with just two seconds to play, securing his team a dramatic four-point win against Norwood in Round 13 of the SANFL U18s at Hisense Stadium.

With his side trailing by two points, Marsh pounced on a loose ball at centre half-forward and let fly on his left foot from 45m out, watching it sail through before the final siren sounded to spark wild celebrations among his teammates.

It was just the second win of the season for the Bloods who listed Joel Parker (18 disposals), Hamish Dow (26 disposals) and Marsh (14 disposals, eight marks) high among their best players.

The Redlegs rated the efforts of Fergus Myall highly while Darcy Speyer (20 disposals) and Jacob Newton (26 disposals, eight clearances) found plenty of the ball.

Glenelg maintained its place at the top of the SANFL U18 ladder by holding on for a 10-point win against Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Leading at every change, the Tigers were made to sweat for the premiership points in the final term as the inaccurate Eagles (9.12) charged home by booting 4.3 to the Bays’ 3.0.

Glenelg welcomed back the Camporeale twins – Ben and Lucas – from State duty, who collected 59 disposals between them, but it was the performance of Jack Walters, Harry Plews, Thomas McKay (three goals) which drew high praise from the coaching staff.

Eagle Jevan Phillipou impressed with 26 disposals and six clearances while SA U18 teammate Harry Dodd (19 disposals) and Isaac Edwards did their best to haul their team back into the lead.

Sturt displayed tremendous efficiency in registering a comfortable 44-point win against South Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium.

Despite having 23 fewer marks and one less inside 50m entry, the Double Blues led at every change as they benefited from slick ball movement while restricting the Panthers to one goal across the opening three quarters.

Sturt’s Louis Kellaway (19 disposals) and Oscar Merrett (21 disposals, one goal) enjoyed the presence of returning SA U18 ruckman Alex Dodson, who finished with 19 disposals and 27 hit outs.

South’s Phoenix Hargrave, who was SA U18 team’s best in its last game against Victoria Metro, shone in his return with 29 disposals and 10 marks while teammates Cohen Shortridge (20 disposals) and Benny Barrett battled hard.

North Adelaide shared the scoring load as it cause an upset 55-point win against Central District at Prospect Oval.

As many as 10 Roosters hit the goal scoring list as the fourth-placed home side toppled the previously equal ladder-leading Bulldogs by leading at every break.

Prolific North midfielder Sam Cumming got back to his ball-winning ways with 31 disposals and eight clearances while teammates Owen Kalic (22 disposals, one goal) and Henry Turner (18 disposals) were also prominent figures in the victory.

Central’s Matt LeRay flew the flag for his side amid a disappointing day, finishing with 23 disposals and two goals while Aidan Schubert (19 disposals, two goals) and Ryan Lane-Ellis (32 disposals, five clearances) could hold their heads high.