Round 18 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Friday Night

Norwood has thrown down the minor premiership challenge to Sturt after blitzing North Adelaide by 55 points at The Parade.

Now more than a percent and two premiership points ahead of the Double Blues – who face West Adelaide in Round 18 – the Redlegs are well-placed to earn a week off to start the major round.

With scores locked away at 4.2 (26) apiece at quarter-time, the Legs started to take control of the contest in the second term by booting 5.2 to 1.4 to establish a an ominous 22-point lead at the main change.

It was a sign of what was to come as the hosts poured in the next six majors in succession to start the second half, including the first League goal for defender Jack Heard, who celebrated hard given it was his 72nd match.

Mitch Carroll opened up a 10-goal buffer for the Legs when he burst through to goal seconds before the three-quarter time siren as his team dominated possession while also hauling in 39 more marks.

Playing his first League game since Round 7 after injuring his ankle, Mitch O’Neill was far from off the pace as he tallied 24 disposals, four clearances and two goals while Baynen Lowe racked up 23 touches and a goal.

But Magarey Medal contender Harry Boyd must surely again be among the votes after finishing with a match-high 25 disposals, five marks, 12 clearances and 44 hit outs.

Jack Heard was superb with 18 disposals and his long-awaited goal while Billy Cootee and captain Jacob Kennerley roamed half-forward and the midfield nicely to accumulate 19 and 18 disposals each.

Imposing Norwood forward Jackson Callow booted four goals, including two inside the opening eight minutes – the second landing on The Parade after clearing the southern grandstand.

Izaak Twelftree continues to make a late play for the Powerade Breakthrough Player award, kicking three goals from 19 disposals while Tristan Binder, Samuel Morris and O’Neill booted two each.

Despite toppling reigning premier Glenelg in Round 17, North faces a tough ask to qualify for the final five with one match to play, now falling to seventh spot behind Adelaide.

The Roosters lost valuable percentage due to the severity of its loss to the Legs, with star midfielder Campbell Combe sidelined early in the third term after a knock to his head.

Frazer Driscoll was able to resume after leaving the field clutching his shoulder in the second term but ruck Matt McKenzie hobbled from The Parade in the last term to add to the Roosters woes.

Dyson Hilder toiled away in multiple roles, including the ruck, to finish with a team high 18 disposals while captain Alex Spina and three-gamer Jed Dignan each had 16 disposals.

Regular defender Cody Raak showed he can have an influence at the other end of the ground after booting three goals for North as Ken Farmer Medal leader Mitch Harvey was held to just one goal by Norwood defender Tom Donnelly.

Ewan Mackinlay and Frank Szekely booted two goals each for the visitors.