Round 15 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Sturt survived Central District’s late charge to hold on for a dramatic one-point win in Round 15 of the SANFL U18s at X Convenience Oval. 

Trailing by as much as 19 points 10 minutes into the last quarter, the Bulldogs kicked the final three goals of the game but were unable to find the go-ahead major with just 36 seconds left on the clock.

Double Blues’ tall timber Blake Thredgold and Gillon Wakelin were highly rated while Sam White (17 disposals, 10 tackles) rolled up his sleeves around the contest.

Talented utility Aidan Schubert continued his hot form with 24 disposals, eight clearances and a goal while Matt LeRay (22 disposals, 11 clearances, 10 tackles) and Jack Gordon (31 disposals, one goal) helped drive the Dogs’ desperate bid.

West Adelaide’s winning ways continued after it overcame a scoreless first quarter to easily account for North Adelaide by 48 points at Hisense Stadium.

The Bloods clicked into gear during the second term by booting 4.4 to North’s one behind before charging home with an eight-goal second half to maintain third spot on the ladder.

The home side’s coaching staff thought highly of Lincoln Pitt (18 disposals, seven marks), Joseph Raphael and Harper Ryan, the younger brother of Bloods’ League star Kobe Ryan.

North tall Bryce Sanders threw everything at West with his 22 disposals and nine marks while Oliver Hein (21 disposals, eight marks) and Lachlan Gardner also fought hard for the red and white.

Woodville-West Torrens catapulted itself into the top four with a percentage-boosting 57-point win in a wayward contest at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval. 

The Eagles – who booted an inaccurate 11.17 (83) – not only kept the Redlegs to just one goal for the first three terms, they ensured the visitors sprayed the ball around for a tally of 2.14 (26).

Ball magnets Zane Peucker (31 disposals, three goals) and Ethan Ashley (35 disposals) were instrumental in the result for the hosts as they received great support from Jack Leys (24 disposals), the son of former Port Adelaide and Richmond utility Brian Leys.

On a disappointing day at the office, Norwood had Jeff Rozenbilds (28 disposals, seven clearances), Mac Seal (17 disposals) and Luke Scott (19 disposals) continually find the Sherrin.

Glenelg did the hard yards across the opening three quarters en route to securing a 22-point victory against South Adelaide at Magain Stadium. 

Leading at every change and by as much as 41 points at three quarter-time, the Tigers still claimed the premiership points despite being outscored 3.3 to just 0.2 in the final quarter.

Tigers Jacob McNicol (38 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal), Jimmy Hele (26 disposals, one goal) and Ned McCarthy (17 disposals, three goals) did all the damage for the visitors in the early stages.

South’s trio of prolific midfielders again displayed plenty of heart as evidenced by the numbers recorded by Jesse Nye (25 disposals, nine marks), Archie van Dyk (27 disposals, one goal) and Kodah Edwards (13 disposals, two goals, four marks).