Round 2 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Central District joined Norwood and Woodville-West Torrens as the only undefeated teams with a comfortable 55-point victory against Adelaide at X Convenience Oval.

Banking wins against North Adelaide and the Crows, the Bulldogs’ aim of backing up their drought-breaking finals berth is well on track under coach Paul Thomas.

The Dogs made the most of Adelaide’s inability to pile on any scoreboard pressure in the first term before surging in front during the second stanza by piling on 5.2 to the visitors’ 1.2.

From there, the hosts weren’t troubled as Matthew Wright’s men continually battled inaccuracy and skill errors as they tried to haul themselves back into the contest.

Magarey Medallist Harry Grant, one of the best for the West End State team last Saturday, was impactful with 30 disposals and five clearances while Fos Williams Medallist Jez McLennan was poised in defence with 30 disposals and nine marks.

Kyle Presbury had 23 disposals for the hosts as key forwards Aiden Grace and Dale Pearce proved too strong in attack with five goals each as recruits Jake Gasper and Wilson Barry each chimed in with two majors.

A depleted Adelaide had Jay Boyle work hard for his team-high 24 disposals while Billy Dowling (22 disposals) and Lachlan Sholl (21 disposals) also found their share of the ball through the middle.

The chief positive for the Crows was the form of first-round draft pick Daniel Curtain, who looks assured playing against men, racking up 20 disposals from the back half as he regularly brought ball back into play after a Bulldogs’ behind.

Woodville-West Torrens soared to the top of the Hostplus SANFL League ladder with a statement-making 92-point win against North Adelaide at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

After dispensing with West Adelaide in Round 1, the Eagles again hit the scoreboard with ease as they burst out of the blocks to boot the opening six goals of the match inside 13 minutes.

Developing Eagles key forward Patrick Weckert was on fire as he booted three of those six majors as coach Sam Jacobs would have loved seeing the extremely even contribution from his charges.

The hosts had 13 goal kickers in their season-opener and another 11 as they shocked the Roosters with their clean skills and hard-running through the corridor.

North booted two goals in succession to break their drought but then went a further half without booting a goal until Dyson Hilder nailed his set shot 14 minutes into the third quarter.

Eagles premiership defender Luke Beecken is relishing his extra responsibility as he moves up to be one of his team’s senior players, collecting 29 disposals and a cracking goal on the run which was his team’s sixth in the opening term.

Adam D’Aloia also registered 29 possessions to go with eight clearances and five tackles while James Rowe hit the scoreboard with three goals to go with 28 disposals as two of the Eagles’ other prime movers.

Weckert finished with a team-high four goals while Troy Menzel made a welcome return from injury to bag three majors as Connor Ballenden, Zac Buck and captain Joseph Sinor booted two each.

A shattered North had Harrison Wigg lead its disposal count with 26 while former Crows forward Tariek Newchurch and skipper Alex Spina collected 20 apiece.

Veteran Mitch Harvey was the Roosters’ only multiple goal kicker with two as his side conceded 54 inside 50 entries while only managing 32.