Round 15 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Sturt only led for 12 minutes of its contest against Woodville-West Torrens but it was enough to win by 15 points at Wigan Oval.

Inaccuracy in front of goal prevented the Double Blues from arresting the lead from the efficient Eagles earlier, piling on the pain in the final term for the visitors with 4.5 to 1.0.

The hosts finished much stronger after three quarter-time as they registered 21-1 inside 50s to record their eighth win at Unley this season en route to leveling top-placed Glenelg with 12 victories.

Coles Value Player Josh Hone was a constant threat on goal all afternoon before finishing with 3.5 from his 23 disposals, eight marks and five tackles.

”I couldn’t find the sticks today,” Hone said after the game with a grin on Channel 7.

”But it was nice to kick that last one and make it look a bit respectable. I will have to improve on that during the week.

”We always have a good contest against the Eagles – I can’t remember the last time we beat them twice in the year – so to come from behind and win today was great.

”We were good enough to shift the momentum back our way in the last quarter and finish off strongly.”

Sturt captain James Battersby did a power of work in the middle to finish with a game-high 31 disposals, five clearances and five tackles while midfield sidekick Tom Lewis had 22 possessions, six clearances and 11 tackles.

Sturt defenders Casey Voss (23 disposals, nine marks) and Connor McFadyen (21 disposals, nine marks) stood tall in the back half while at the other end, emerging key forward Chad Reschke is showing signs of developing into a fine forward with his strong marking and body work.

The youthful Eagles had skipper Joseph Sinor collect 22 disposals and eight tackles while Zane Williams had 22 disposals in his new defensive role.

Powerade Breakthrough Player Max Beattie was efficient with his 20 disposals and two goals while AAMI Rookie Harrison Dawkins was impressive in a key defensive role with his ability to spoil and intercept mark.

Adelaide held Port Adelaide to its lowest score in SANFL Showdowns when it romped to a convincing 65-point win at Adelaide Oval.

Making the most of the Magpies’ terrible accuracy in front of goal, the Crows slammed on 13 goals in succession while holding their arch-rival without a major for the opening three terms.

Port didn’t register its first goal until midfielder Jackson Mead produced a classy finish on the run from a stoppage in the fourth minute of the last quarter after Adelaide had skipped out to a match-high 71-point advantage.

The Magpies’ final tally of 2.15 (27) was its lowest score in a SANFL Showdown since registering 8.12 (60) against the Crows in Round 14 of 2021 at Kadina.

It was also their lowest total since logging just 1.4 (10) against North Adelaide at Prospect in Round 14 of last season.

Adelaide’s strong play through the corridor enabled it to establish a match-winning 54-35 inside 50 edge as it also recorded 20 more kicks and 29 more handballs than the Pies.

Bigman Elliott Himmelberg had a huge influence on the match by booting four goals while also collecting 17 disposals, eight marks and five tackles for the Crows.

Adelaide midfielder Sam Berry led a host of willing ball-winners for coach Michael Godden, tallying 29 disposals and nine clearances while Lachlan Sholl (26 disposals), Ned McHenry (24 disposals) and Jackson Hately (23 disposals) also found plenty of space.

Clever Crows forwards Brayden Cook and Tariek Newchurch booted three goals each while marquee player Jack Madgen had arguably his best game for his side with 23 disposals and 10 marks.

Mead was again one of Port’s best performers with 23 disposals, four clearances and five tackles and his eye-catching goal from 40m.

Magpies Riley Bonner and Jase Burgoyne each finished with 28 disposals while Power skipper Tom Jonas chalked up 21 disposals and eight marks.