Round 14 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Norwood strengthened its hold on top spot of the Hostplus SANFL League ladder by cruising to a 63-point win against Adelaide at The Parade.

Welcoming skipper Jacob Kennerley back from injury, the Redlegs blew the Crows away from the first bounce when Baynen Lowe goaled on the run just seconds after the opening siren sounded.

From there, Jade Rawlings’ charges piled on another seven goals in succession until first-year Crow Daniel Curtin kicked his team’s first major 14 minutes into the second stanza.

It would be the visitors’ only goal until Chris Burgess converted eight minutes into the fourth quarter, such was the hosts ability to put the clamps on when it mattered most.

Norwood led by as much as 82 points when Brodie Carroll saluted with the first goal of the last term as his team made the most of a huge 61-27 inside 50m count.

Lowe’s red hot form continued as he racked up 26 disposals, eight clearances and three goals to be best afield while Matt Ling collected a team-high 30 disposals for the Legs.

Billy Cootee continues to enjoy his debut season with Norwood, chalking up 25 disposals and a goal while Harry Boyd was again a force in the ruck with 24 disposals, 30 hit outs and seven clearances.

Declan Hamilton and Cooper Murley booted two goals each as 10 Redlegs hit the goal scorers list.

Adelaide outscored Norwood in the final term, booting 4.1 to 1.5 as Curtin impressed with a team-high 22 disposals, seven clearances and two goals.

Chayce Jones collected 20 disposals for the Crows while Harry Schoenberg had 18 and seven tackles.

Sturt held on grimly to escape with a thrilling eight-point victory against Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Seemingly headed for a comfortable triumph boasting a 29-point lead at the final change, the Double Blues were made to sweat when the Eagles booted the opening four goals of the fourth term.

Desperate to honour milestone men Luke Thompson (250 games) and Sam Rowland (150 games), the hosts got within six points nearing time on when Jack Wheare kicked his second goal of the term.

But a steadying reply from a returning Connor McFadyen proved pivotal for the visitors, who were also able to sustain a late goal on the run from Eagle Max Litster in the 27th minute.

The premiership points solidified Sturt’s hold on second spot as captain James Battersby (25 disposals, six clearances) and Tom Lewis (21 disposals) continued to shoulder the midfield load.

Sturt signing Sam Conforti collected 19 disposals but booted four behinds while Jared Dakin, Guy Page and Steven Slimming each had 17 disposals.

McFadyen booted three goals while Oliver Grivell kicked a pair in his 50th League match for the Blues.

The Eagles had the tireless Adam D’Aloia (28 disposals, six clearances) and James Rowe (26 disposals) find plenty of the ball while Wheare was their only multiple goal kicker with two.

SA U18 Kade Herbert used the ball well on his wing for 21 disposals and a goal on the run while Luke McKay, Joseph Sinor and Rowland also tallied 21 touches.

North Adelaide’s scoring inaccuracy nearly proved fatal as it clung on for an eight-point win against South Adelaide at Victor Harbor Oval.

Boasting a noteworthy 54-37 inside 50m advantage, the Roosters’ 9.18 (72) ended up being enough despite kicking one goal less than the Panthers’ 10.4 (64).

Exciting South teenager Phoenix Hargrave capped off a fine debut with a timely soccer goal in the 25th minute of the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to one point.

But the visitors were able to steady with a mark and set shot conversion to Nigel Lockyer, helping his team to stay in touch with the top five with a sixth win for the season.

North captain Alex Spina (27 disposals, 13 marks) and Campbell Combe (32 disposals, 16 tackles) led the charge for their team while Harrison Magor had 26 disposals.

Premiership forward Mitch Harvey and Frank Szekely booted two goals each for North.

South, desperate to put on a strong display in their local zone as part of the Think! Road Safety Country Championships, were again helped by star teenager Sid Draper, who racked up 27 disposals, nine clearances and nine tackles.

Panther Elliot Dunkin used the ball well with his 32 disposals and 11 marks in defence while Oscar Clavarino had 24 disposals and 14 marks.

AAMI Rookie Hargrave finished with 12 disposals, three tackles and two goals as he looked comfortable in League company.

Central District survived a late surge from West Adelaide to record a six-point victory at X Convenience Oval.

Leading at every change and by as much as five goals when Aiden Grace kicked a behind in the 10th minute of the fourth term, the Bulldogs were forced to scramble after failing to score again for the afternoon.

The Bloods booted the next four majors in succession – two to Josh Gore – as captain Isaac Johnson put his side within one straight kick in the 24th minute.

But the Bulldogs – celebrating the 60th anniversary of their SANFL League inception – were able to hold on with the ball camped inside their defensive half, notching a vital ninth victory to continue knocking on the door of the top three.

Emerging Central midfielder Mani Liddy was effective with his 17 disposals, booting two goals to go with nine clearances and 12 tackles.

”It was a bit closer than we thought at the end but it was good to bounce back with a win,” said Liddy, the Coles Value Player on Channel 7.

”It’s getting more comfortable as (coach Paul Thomas) Thommo backs me in every week so hopefully I can keep building towards finals.”

Magarey Medallist Harry Grant collected a game high 25 disposals, eight clearances and 10 tackles while inform Kade Dittmar had 21 disposals and seven clearances.

Grace booted three goals for the Dogs while Isaiah Dudley and Hugo Munn joined Liddy in each booting two.

West’s Kobe Ryan battled right to the end to rack up 32 possessions, 12 clearances and 13 tackles while former Tiger Brady Searle returned well with 24 disposals, 12 tackles and five clearances.

Running West defender Callum Park had 20 touches while Gore and Hamish Ellem booted two goals each.

Port Adelaide strung together back-to-back wins with an upset 14-point victory against Glenelg at Alberton Oval.

Coming off a heartening win against North Adelaide in Round 13, the Magpies made the most of their fast start to lead at every change en route to a third win of the season.

With experienced pair Willie Rioli (three goals) and Esava Ratugolea (14 disposals, six marks) playing important roles, Port lifted itself off the bottom of the premiership table in defeating the reigning premier.

Returning captain Nick Moore snapped to push Port’s lead out to 23 points in the 12th minute of the final term before the inefficient Tigers made one final charge.

Three behinds in succession were followed by consecutive goals to Austin Kitschke and Darcy Bailey, trimming the visitors’ deficit to just eight points.

But a steadying major to Hugh Ferrari in the 30th minute ensured a Port victory as fellow SANFL-contracted pair Cody Szust (22 disposals) and Murphy Short (21 disposals) led the way on the stats sheet.

Glenelg racked up significant advantages in inside 50s (52 to 30), clearances (40 to 32) and marks (77 to 52) but inaccuracy in front of goal 6.11 (47) proved costly.

With the Tigers’ lead ruckman Cam McGree a late withdrawal, Riley Holder battled hard to finish with an equal team-high 20 disposals with veteran midfielder Matt Snook.

Glenelg premiership captains Chris Curran and Max Proud each had 19 disposals while Darcy Bailey and Billy Stretch tallied 18.

James Bell continued his promising form with 16 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances for the Bays.