Round 2 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Central District clung on for a dramatic one-point victory against Sturt in Round 2 of the SANFL U18 competition at X Convenience Oval.

Leading by 15 points midway through the final quarter, the Bulldogs then conceded consecutive goals as Sturt’s Ivan Wilkinson and Harley Barker drew their side within two points with more than five minutes to play.

The Dogs rushed a behind in the final minute before holding on to bank the premiership points, athletic Aidan Schubert racking up 17 disposals, nine marks five clearances and three goals.

Central teammates Joshua Reichelt (34 disposals, one goal) and Dougie Cochrane (26 disposals, one goal) were also instrumental in the win.

Wilkinson almost single-handedly hauled his team over the line for a win with a game-high six goals to go with seven marks and 10 disposals as Kale Matthews-Hampton and Noah Roberts-Thomson (27 disposals, 10 marks) also battled valiantly.

Norwood remains the only undefeated team in the SANFL U18 competition after it held off West Adelaide by nine points at Hisense Stadium.

Leading at every change, the Redlegs looked set for a comfortable victory when they opened up a 33-point lead late in the third term.

The Bloods slowly chipped away at the deficit though, kicking the final four goals of the match while holding the visitors to just three behinds in the fourth quarter.

But time was Westies’ enemy as Norwood captain Darcy Speyer (35 disposals, seven clearances) played a significant role in holding them at bay as teammates Balyn O’Brien and James Annese also chimed in.

West was well-served by Josh Goldie (16 disposals), Archie Walsh (24 disposals, one goal) and Gus Downs (16 disposals).

Woodville-West Torrens produced a tremendous comeback to poach the premiership points from Glenelg with a 15-point win at Hisense Stadium.

Trailing by 20 points late in the second term and by 10 points at the final change, the Eagles booted five of the last six goals in the fourth quarter to stage a stunning heist.

Round 1 SANFL U18 MVP Jack Cook backed up his opening round display with 29 disposals, eight tackles and a goal while teammates Logan Hughes and Jack Slattery hit the scoreboard with three goals each.

Glenelg coaches lauded the performances of Harvey Croker (18 disposals), Reed Francis-Nia Nia (two goals) and Reuben Brookes (21 disposals).

North Adelaide midfielder Sam Cumming was a dominant figure in his team’s 16-point win against South Adelaide at Magain Stadium.

Cumming, last year’s SANFL U18 MVP, racked up 30 disposals and kicked two goals as his Roosters swung the match in their favour with a four-goal third quarter.

North teammates Taj Murray (17 disposals, one goal) and Ryan Paul (13 disposals, one goal) provided meaningful support as their team registered its first win of the season.

South’s Jesse Nye again found plenty of the Sherrin with 22 disposals and nine tackles while teammates Callan Hart and Kody Shortridge (two goals) refused to give in.