Round 5 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Central District’s stunning start to the Hostplus SANFL League season rolled on with a grinding 21-point win against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Joining Norwood with a flawless 5-0 win-loss record to start their 2024 campaign, the Bulldogs always looked in control of the contest after leading at every change and earning 20 more inside 50m entries.

Keeping the Bloods without a goal from 20 minutes into the second term until the eighth minute of the fourth quarter, Paul Thomas’ charges continue to impress with their no frills, yet efficient, style of play.

There is much less reliance on 2023 Magarey Medallist Harry Grant this season, with the Dogs’ star midfielder collecting a team-high 22 disposals, eight clearances and 10 tackles.

Eagles recruit Kai Pudney (19 disposals) is finding his groove with his new side while Mani Liddy and Kyle Presbury each worked hard for their 18 disposals.

Captain Jarrod Schiller is also having an impact with meaningful touches, booting three goals from his 15 possessions while inform Central forwards Aiden Grace and Nick Lange kicked two majors each.

West’s Kobe Ryan led the way on the stats sheet for his side with 20 disposals, three clearances and eight tackles while Sam Frost, Will Patton and Brady Searle each chalked up 18 possessions.

Bloods key forward Liam Delahunty continues to be a commanding presence for his side, booting three goals for the afternoon.

Norwood was forced to defend grimly before holding on for a gutsy eight-point win against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

Bolting out of the blocks with the first four goals of the game, the Redlegs managed to keep the Roosters at arm’s length for the majority of the afternoon as they led at every change.

But the hosts – with a healthy red-and-white faithful in full voice – got within three points eight minutes into the last term when premiership veteran Mitch Harvey converted his third goal of the game.

It sparked a strong surge from Jacob Surjan’s charges as they conjured multiple inside 50m entries only to have each thrust thwarted by a red and blue barricade.

Norwood’s Baynen Lowe kicked a deep forward entry on the verge of time-on to have it marked strongly at the front of the pack by teammate Jake Cresswell.

Cresswell, the son of former Sydney Swans star Darryn Cresswell, calmly went back to nail his set shot from 30m out on 45C angle.

It was enough to snuff out North’s brave late charge and secure a fifth win in succession to start the 2024 Hostplus SANFL League season, putting the Legs on top of the premiership table.

Providing the vital goal assist to seal the win, Lowe was also able to hit the scoreboard with an impressive goal from the first bounce as he tallied 26 disposals, five clearances and three tackles for the contest.

Redlegs recruits Billy Cootee and Mitch O’Neill continued their impressive start to the campaign with 24 disposals each while Jack Oatey Medallist Harry Boyd was again a dominant force with 19 disposals, 11 clearances, 45 hit outs and a goal.

North, finishing with eight more inside 50 entries and two more scoring shots, had Campbell Combe rack up 25 disposals, 11 clearances and 14 tackles while Harrison Wigg distributed the ball well with 26 touches.

Roosters captain Alex Spina collected 20 disposals while debutant Ewan Mackinlay, from Lavington, caught the eye with a stunning goal in the second term before finishing with 18 disposals.