Round 17 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Glenelg escaped with a five-point win against a spirited North Adelaide at Prospect to all but sew up a top-three berth in the major round.

The Tigers (11.13 79) were outscored in three of the four quarters but managed to find a way to claim the premiership points when midfielder James Bell produced a cool snap from the boundary.

Bell slotted his set shot from 35m to put the Bays back in front with less than three minutes to play, the reigning premier doing enough to hold on despite the Roosters’ (11.8 74) desperate efforts.

Trailing by two goals at the main change, the Tigers surged themselves into the game with a strong third quarter which yielded 5.5 to the hosts’ 2.1.

High-flying Lachie Hosie put himself in a strong position to win the Ken Farmer Medal by booting 4.3 from 14 disposals and 10 marks for the Bays as Bell, Darcy Bailey and captains Liam McBean kicked two goals each.

Midfielders Luke Partington (24 disposals), Jarryd Lyons (22 disposals) and Matt Allen (21 disposals, one goal) were solid contributors while half-back Jonty Scharenberg (20 disposals) was a constant steady influence for Glenelg.

North’s Frank Szekely was one of his team’s best performers in his 100th Hostplus SANFL League game with 22 disposals while Oskar Faulkhead collected 23 disposals.

Roosters Brad Ashcroft, Hughen Wissman and Reed van Huisstede kicked two goals each.

A stunning display from Billy Dowling helped propel Adelaide to a comfortable 27-point win against South Adelaide at Magain Stadium. 

As the Crows cemented their place inside the SANFL’s top three, Dowling racked up a massive 40 disposals, eight marks, three clearances, three tackles and two goals as his side led at every change.

Despite having 13 fewer clearances, the Crows (12.11 83) managed 13 more inside 50 entries as they held the Panthers (8.8 56) goalless in the first term and to just two goals in the opening half.

Adelaide’s Matt Crouch chalked up 33 disposals and seven clearances while Blake Drury (25 disposals) and Lachlan Sholl (24 disposals, one goal) were also prominent.

Former Panther Sid Draper finished with 23 disposals and eight clearances at his old home ground while captain Jack Madgen and Jervois-based development player Lachlan Thomas kicked three goals each.

AAMI Rookie Ryan Borlace was a major positive for the Panthers with the Yankalilla product booting four goals in his first game of Hostplus SANFL League while ruck Olivier Northam kicked two to go with 19 disposals, seven clearances and 16 hit outs.

Tireless South midfielder Oliver Davis had 33 disposals and nine clearances while Luke Bogle (23 disposals) and Elliot Dunkin (22 disposals) added solid support.

Norwood jumped into the top five for the first time this season after being made to sweat for a thrilling one-point win against West Adelaide at The Parade.

The Redlegs – kicking 12.14 (86) to 13.7 (85) – managed to cling on for the valuable premiership points after emerging Bloods midfielder Cade Kennedy kicked a classy goal on the run in the 31st minute of the fourth term.

Kennedy’s eye-catching major cut the margin to just one point and the Bloods then won the next centre clearance to put the ball inside attacking 50m only to have the final siren sound.

Norwood had significantly more of the ball throughout the afternoon, including 20 more kicks, 67 more handballs and 37 more marks but it only translated into six more inside 50s as the visitors’ accuracy ensured scoreboard pressure was a factor.

Redlegs defender Pierce Seymour continued his excellent season with 21 disposals and 11 marks while Nik Rokahr led the disposals for the hosts with 25 and eight clearances.

Experienced Norwood trio Declan Hamilton (21 disposals, one goal), Baynen Lowe (21 disposals, one goal) and captain Jacob Kennerley (20 disposals) made their presence felt at important junctures.

Norwood goalsneak Jayden Gale kicked three goals while Billy Cootee booted two from his 18 disposals.

The brave Bloods were boosted by an even team performance as Tom Morrish led the way with 20 disposals as Lachlan Squire had 19, eight clearances and six tackles.

Developing West ruckman Caleb May had 18 disposals, five clearances, 35 hit outs and one goal while Tom Scully led the attack with three goals.

Sturt surged toward the 2025 Hostplus SANFL League minor premiership with a blistering 81-point victory against Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Banking their 16th win in succession this year and 29th minor round triumph in a row, the Double Blues did as they pleased after a tight tussle in the first quarter.

Leading by just seven points at quarter-time as the Eagles showed plenty of early spirit, Marty Mattner’s charges piled on the pain by slamming on 12.19 to 4.5 for the remainder of the afternoon.

Only inaccuracy prevented the visitors from reaching a triple-figure advantage as they hit the post four times in kicking 19.22 (136) to the Eagles’ 8.7 (55).

Sturt midfielders Tom Lewis and Angus Anderson collected a team-high 27 disposals while captain James Battersby, playing his first League game since a knee injury suffered in Round 2, made a successful return with 21 disposals and eight clearances.

Double Blues defenders Will Coomblas (20 disposals, 10 marks), Casey Voss (20 disposals), Flynn Perez (19 disposals) and Zac Becker (17 disposals) enjoyed their day at the office, the latter named XGolf Player of the Day.

Sturt forwards Daniel Fahey-Sparks and Oliver Grivell kicked three goals each, together with impressive youngster Luca Slade, who caught the eye with his effort from 40m after a clever baulk.

The injury-hit Eagles were unable to sustain their early assault as Kobe Mutch collected 27 disposals while captain Joey Sinor had 25 possessions.

Eagle Luke McKay tallied 24 disposals while Max Beattie had 21 as the hosts had eight single goal kickers.