Round 8 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Glenelg solidified its top four spot on the SANFL U18 ladder with a comfortable 26-point win against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Leading at every change and with as many as 11 players on the goal kickers list, the Bays were able to dictate terms by controlling the Sherrin, chalking up a huge 141 to 62 advantage in marks whilst having seven more inside 50s.

Prolific Tigers Kobe Gibson (32 disposals, two goals) and Harvey Croker (37 disposals, 13 marks) were at the forefront of their team’s assault while athletic Rex Jones booted a fine running goal to go with his 14 disposals and 11 marks.

West tried to keep in touch but was unable to claw back from its 23-point quarter-time deficit despite the best efforts of Lucas White (32 disposals, two goals), Archie Walsh (21 disposals, nine marks) and William Thomas (18 disposals).

Sturt’s second-half surge proved too much to overcome for North Adelaide as the Double Blues banked an impressive 44-point victory at Prospect Oval.

Holding on to a 10-point advantage at half-time, the visitors made their move by booting 8.6 to 3.2 across the final two quarters while finishing with a telling 55-29 inside 50 count.

Hard-working Sturt midfielder Jackson Moody set the tone with 32 disposals, nine clearance, nine tackles and a goal while teammates Sam White (21 disposals, nine tackles) and Eli Anders (20 disposals) were also influential.

The Roosters hailed the performances of Mason Klenner, Joshua Casey (20 disposals) and Charlie Dickeson (30 disposals, 10 clearances) who battled hard throughout the contest.

South Adelaide rebuilt valuable percentage with a 71-point margin against Woodville-West Torrens in just its second win of the season at Magain Stadium.

Despite currently sitting in eighth spot, the Panthers displayed plenty of spirit in the confidence-boosting triumph as they piled on 15 goals across the first three quarters on the back of a 46-33 inside 50 tally.

South’s Harry Wadewitz (14 disposals, two goals), Kodah Edwards (26 disposals, three goals) and Kangaroo Island product Cain Florance (24 disposals, four goals) led the charge with commanding displays.

In a tough day at the office, the Eagles had Lachlan Sands (18 disposals, one goal), Jensen Frantz (19 disposals, 12 marks) and Max Farrugia fly the flag.

Central District displayed its enviable depth of talent with a 63-point win against Norwood at X Convenience Oval.

The Bulldogs were missing star players such as Dyson Sharp, Matt Leray, Cameron Nairn and Aidan Schubert on SA U18 duty but still managed to maintain pressure on top-placed Sturt by inking their fifth victory of the season by leading at every change.

Bulldog Dusty Geister enjoyed a day out whilst accumulating 23 disposals and nine marks to go with his four goals while teammates Jack Gordon (27 disposals) and Kaleb White (17 disposals, two goals) were also prominent figures for the hosts.

Norwood workhorse Darcy Speyer refused to concede with his 34 disposals and two goals while fellow Redlegs Will Prescott (24 disposals, one goal) and Samuel Bartel also caught the attention of their coaches.