Round 7 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ALEXANDRA BULL

Woodville-West Torrens’ Jack Leys was his team’s hero as the Eagles clinched an epic three-point victory over North Adelaide in the SANFL U18s at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Hamish Collins put the visitors ahead at the 11th minute mark in the last quarter, before the Eagles responded to hit the lead late in the last quarter.

Roosters forward Taj Murray missed a late shot on goal to put North back in front with mere minutes to go, as the Eagles hung on to claim an important win.

Ball magnet Jack Cook (34 disposals, nine clearances) was prolific for the Eagles, along with Hayden Willmott (30 disposals, seven clearances) and Zane Peucker (three goals, 22 disposals).

Samuel Cumming starred for North with four goals, with Ethan Herbert having a field day in the ruck with 33 hit outs and eight clearances, with the Roosters recording 36 more hit outs than the Eagles.

Sturt held on to beat South Adelaide by two points at Karen Rolton Oval.

A four-goal last quarter from South Adelaide was not enough to get them over the line, with ladder-leaders Sturt too poised with the ball across the first three quarters.

Jack Nelson (16 disposals, 12 tackles) was relentless with his pressure for the Double Blues and was well supported by Sam White (three goals, 17 disposals), Noah Roberts-Thomson (24 disposals, 11 clearances) and Jonah Lagana (45 hit outs, 21 disposals).

South Adelaide captain Jesse Nye (17 disposals, 11 tackles, seven clearances) continued his excellent form for the Panthers, along with Patrick Carman (three goals), Archie Van Dyk (20 disposals, seven tackles, seven clearances) and Max Savage (15 disposals, 7 clearances), as South searched for its second win for the season.

Norwood secured its third win of the season, defeating Glenelg by nine points at Stratarama Stadium.

Leading by seven points at the 17th minute mark of the fourth quarter, Norwood put the jets on to score three unanswered goals to secure the win as it continues to rise up the ladder.

Norwood defender Noah Daw was excellent for the visitors and had a game-high 11 marks to go with his 25 disposals.

Elsewhere for the Redlegs, Jim Kelly collected 27 disposals and six clearances, with ruckman James van Wyk coming in for his first U18s game of the season, notching up 21 hit outs, 18 disposals and six clearances.

Wil Rooney was everywhere for the Bays with 30 disposals and seven inside 50s, with Kobe Gibson (18 disposals, two goals) and Reed Francis-Nia Nia (17 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) serving Glenelg well in a tight loss.

Central District recorded a huge 73-point win over West Adelaide at X Convenience Oval.

A nine-goal first half from Central set the Doggies up for victory, as Westies struggled to find the goals until the second quarter.

Doggies’ forwards Aidan Schubert (four goals, 13 marks) and Cameron Nairn (four goals, 11 marks) were excellent for the home side as they shot to third on the ladder.

Central’s Dyson Sharp collected 35 disposals and five clearances, stating his case to be among the top selections at the 2025 AFL Draft.

Mitchell Marsh was the top scorer for the Bloods, with three goals, as Archie Walsh (17 disposals) and Anthony Long (11 disposals, two goals) showed promise in an otherwise disappointing night for West Adelaide.