Round 4 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

A crafty snap over the shoulder from North Adelaide’s Oskar Faulkhead proved the difference in his team’s thrilling seven-point win against South Adelaide at Magain Stadium.

In a tight battle throughout the afternoon, the Roosters needed to make a move when it mattered most and it was the former Gold Coast Sun who saluted to honour fan favourite Mitch Harvey in his 200th Hostplus SANFL League game.

Entering time-on of the final quarter, North star recruit Angus Schumacher put a long ball into the forward 50 where Faulkhead gathered and instinctively handballed over the top of his head to teammate Nigel Lockyer.

Lockyer chipped the ball with an awkward checkside to Noah Casalini who fired off a quick handball into the corridor back to find Faulkhead who snapped over his shoulder from 25m to put North in front.

The visitors led by four points and were able to shut South down whenever it threatened in the dying minutes, holding on before mustering the energy to honour Harvey with a fitting send off after the final siren.

”First and foremost, full credit to South, that was a bloody good game,” Harvey beamed on Channel 7 after the match.

”Both teams made a lot of contested errors and didn’t execute on the scoreboard then Oskar was clutch at the end, was able to snap one over the shoulder and get us home.”

Harvey, who finished with 20 disposals, five marks, 24 hit outs and a goal, was locked in an enthralling battled with South counterpart Olivier Northam, who was also influential with 29 disposals, 10 marks, 10 clearances, 16 hit outs and a goal.

North laid 20 more tackles for the contest as Faulkhead tallied 23 disposals to go with his two majors for the match while Frank Szekely was constantly threatening with 25 possessions, eight marks and a major.

Lockyer, playing his first League match for the year, also booted two goals as did Frazer Driscoll, one of which bounced through over the top from long range to start the final stanza.

Panther Oliver Davis benefited from Northam’s work at the clearances, finding 30 disposals, six marks and five clearances while youngsters Phoenix Hargrave and Tom Wheaton continued to show promise.

The ever-dangerous Corey Grocock knows how to find the goals, booting another four to lead South while tall target Noah Howes is developing nicely with three goals from 16 disposals and eight marks.