Round 5 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

North Adelaide held on for a thrilling two-point win against Sturt in a see-sawing SANFL U18 battle at Thebarton Oval.

Leading by 11 points midway through the final quarter, the Roosters were fortunate the Double Blues could only manage 1.3 with the final four scoring shots of the match.

Port Adelaide father-son prospect Louie Montgomery was in great touch for North, racking up 24 disposals and two goals while Tom Tasker (23 disposals, one goal) and Charlie Dickeson also shone.

Sturt’s Noah Roberts-Thomson made his presence felt with 25 possessions and two goals while his teammates Sam Waltham (17 disposals, seven marks) and Cameron Kelly were also lauded.

Central District’s second-term acceleration proved too much for South Adelaide to overcome as the Bulldogs registered a 61-point win at X Convenience Oval.

In front by just two points at the first change, the Dogs booted 4.6 to the Panthers’ 0.3 to establish a match-winning 29-point break at half-time.

Emerging Central midfielder Dyson Sharp continued his rapid rise with 30 possessions, seven marks and nine clearances while Beau Ryan (23 disposals, one goal) and Jed Laycock also played valuable roles.

South was left to lament its inaccuracy in front of goal (4.15) as it listed Dakota Sterzl (18 disposals), Blake Florance (14 disposals, 12 marks) and Benny Barrett (17 disposals) as its best performers.

Glenelg extended its winning streak to five as it finished strongly to record a 70-point victory against Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Now sitting on top of the premiership table, the Bays slammed on 10.7 in the second half to take control of the contest while holding the Eagles to just 1.2.

Tigers co-captain Charlie McAuliffe was instrumental in the result with 20 disposals and two goals while Max Disbury and Angus Clarke were also praised by their coaching staff.

The Eagles were well served by consistent Jack Cook (24 disposals), Dougal Ashby and Brodie Harris but couldn’t prevent their second loss of the season.

Norwood recovered from a forgettable first quarter to register a 15-point win against West Adelaide at The Parade.

The Redlegs kicked an inaccurate 0.6 before quarter-time before nailing 9.6 across the remaining three terms to hold off the persistent Bloods.

Norwood’s Anthony Mustaca, Jack Michalanney – the younger brother of Crow Max – and Jacob Newton (24 disposals, eight clearances) were able to get their team back on track.

West’s big-bodied midfielder Sam Burbridge racked up the numbers with 26 disposals, 10 clearances, six tackles and a goal while receiving support from teammates Joel Parker and Carter Wright.