Round 16 SANFL Snapshot – Sunday

North Adelaide sent an ominous warning to the rest of the Hostplus SANFL League with an emphatic 48-point demolition of Woodville-West Torrens at Prospect Oval.

Nestled comfortably at the top of the premiership table, the Roosters overcame a slow start to systematically shut down the reigning premier while piling on the pain via scoreboard pressure.

Jacob Surjan’s men conceded three of the first goals kicked for the game but instead of alarm bells ringing for the premiership favourites, they remained poised with ball in hand to earn an eight-point lead at the first change.

North debutant Tyson Brazel kicked his first League goal 16 minutes into the second term and when teammate Frank Szekely ran into an open goal, the hosts suddenly led by 25 points at half-time.

Despite losing small forwards Lachlan Grubb (knee) and Kym Lebois (hamstring) to match-ending injuries, the Roosters were unaffected throughout the second half as they moved the ball with skill and purpose to the delight of the red-and-white faithful.

Magarey Medallist Campbell Combe took his turn to be the lead architect for North, earning the Coles Value Player award with 31 disposals, nine clearances, 10 tackles and a fine snap goal which brought the noise to Menzies Crescent.

Defenders Cameron Craig (24 disposals, 14 marks), Jake Patmore (25 disposals, 11 marks) and Cameron Hewett (24 disposals, 11 marks) continually set up play for the Roosters, who were missing captain Alex Spina with concussion.

Speedy Szekely was particularly effective when the heat was in the game before half-time, finishing with 25 disposals and a goal while Will Combe was also in the thick of it early en route to collecting 21 disposals and two goals.

Eagle Kobe Mutch started brightly in the first term on his way to being his side’s leading disposal-winner with 26 while Riley Knight and Sam Rowland had 22, the latter keeping Magarey favourite Aaron Young to 11 disposals and two goals.

Eagles forward Jack Firns also worked tirelessly in pushing high up the ground to present an option for his teammates, while also reliving in the ruck to tally 19 disposals and 10 marks.