Round 4 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Anzac Day

Glenelg star Lachie Hosie became the first player in more than two decades to win back-to-back Bob Quinn Medals as his Tigers carved out a hard-fought 17-point Anzac Day victory against reigning premier Sturt at Thomas Farms Oval. 

Hosie, who claimed the pretigious award on the back of an eight-goal haul against Norwood in 2025, was again a key difference-maker for the Bays as he slammed through six of their 11 majors in a low-scoring affair in front of a crowd of 4,059.

It was enough to become the first player since Central District premiership star Paul Thomas, the Bulldogs’ current coach, who won consecutive Bob Quinn Medals in 2003 and 2004.

Glenelg’s game-breaking spearhead edged out small defender Patty Parnell, who was also pivotal in helping the visitors to lead at every change as they inflicted the Double Blues’ third consecutive loss at Unley after losing last round to the Eagles and the final minor round contest of 2025.

Parnell tallied 27 disposals and six marks for the afternoon but was a constant steady presence on the last line of defence while also sparking several attaking forays from kick-ins with his dash from the goal square.

Wasteful early in the contest, the Tigers only led by 15 points at quarter time despite having five more scoring shots and leading the inside 50 count 15-7.

Glenelg’s efficiency didn’t click into gear but it didn’t matter as it had all the answers for Sturt, which cut the margin to just 11 points in the 28th minute of the final term.

However, Bays fan favourite Matt Allen had the last say as he kicked an impressive sealing dribbler one minute later to extend his side’s unbeaten run to four, equal with Woodville-West Torrens.

Allen finished with 20 disposals and two majors to be among his side’s best with Hosie and Parnell while Corey Lyons (23 disposals), Luke Partington (18 disposals), Jonty Scharenberg (18 disposals) and Joel Thiele (17 disposals), fronting up against his old side for the first time, were also rock solid.

Sturt, still without Magarey Medallist Tom Lewis (calf) and first-choice players Mitch Crowden (knee), Jared Dakin (groin) and Casey Voss (shoulder), blooded two new players in Louis Kellaway and Sam Waltham, who both showed encouraging signs.

Speedster Marty Frederick tallied a team-high 28 disposals while Luca Slade had 24 and Will Snelling 22 through the middle.

Small forward Sam Conforti regularly looked the most dangerous from the home side with his 20 touches as he rarely wasted a touch as veteran Josh Hone made the most his opportunities to boot four goals.

Adelaide went without a goal for nearly half the match but did enough to scrape through with a 13-point win against a slow-starting North Adelaide at Revo Fitness Oval. 

In front of a healthy crowd of 2588, the Crows looked headed for a comfortable victory when medium-sized forward Cam Taheny put them 46 points up nearly 28 minutes into the second term.

But the Roosters – wearing an impressive historical Anzac Day strip as a nod to their guernsey worn from 1906 to 1923 – managed to put the clamps on the visitors defensively as they slowly hauled their way back into the encounter.

As such, the Crows didn’t boot another goal until Jake Soligo kicked his second in the 13th minute of the fourth quarter, a much-needed steadier considering North captain Alex Spina put his side within 14 points 10 minutes earlier with a long bomb on the run from just inside 50m.

However, Matthew Wright’s men were able to hold North at arm’s length whenever they threatened as they made the most of having 38 more kicks and 31 more marks for the afternoon.

Soligo’s run in the Hostplus SANFL League was a much-needed confidence-booster for the talented midfielder, who finished with a match-high 38 disposals and seven clearances to go with his two majors.

Key defender James Borlase was outstanding with his reading of the play to haul in 13 marks with his 28 disposals while Billy Dowling and Chayce Jones also had positive influence in the midfield with 24 disposals each.

Big-bodied Crows midfielder Dan Curtin collected 18 disposals, four clearances and four tackles in his return from a pre-season knee injury.

North, unable to kick a major until Frank Szekely kicked its first 13 minutes into the second term, was hindered by the late withdrawal of inform Oli Francou.

Spina (29 disposals, one goal), Angus Schumacher (32 disposals, 10 clearances) and Hughen Wissman (25 disposals) battled hard through the midfield and defence as Cody Raak tallied 23 disposals and a goal.