Round 9 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Adelaide overcame a sluggish start to slam on 11 of the next 15 goals after quarter-time to bank an impressive 44-point win against South Adelaide at Magain Stadium. 

Powered by stunning performances from ruck Reilly O’Brien and key forward Archie Ludowyke, the Crows edged the Panthers out of the top five by earning the premiership points.

Matthew Wright’s men booted seven goals in the second term to transform a 13-point deficit into a 13-point lead at half-time.

By the time the visitors banged on the opening four goals of the third quarter, they had opened up a commanding 38-point advantage on their way to fourth victory of the season.

Hostplus Super Player of the Day, O’Brien was a significant force in the ruck in the absence of South’s first-choice bigman Olivier Northam and an early injury to Ryan Borlace.

O’Brien finished with the eye-catching stat line of 24 disposals, 10 marks, 43 hit outs, four clearances and a goal while Ludowyke displayed great promise for the future with a five-goal haul from 12 disposals and six marks.

Crows midfielders Billy Dowling (28 disposals), Chayce Jones (27 disposals) and Charlie Edwards (25 disposals, one goal) were also influential as Mitch Hinge gained confidence with 21 disposals.

Losing Borlace and rebounding defender Seamus Mitchell, who were sidelined on the boundary, South had Harley Sparks rack up 26 disposals, while Ollie Davis (24 disposals) and Arlo Draper (21 disposals) also battled hard.

Smooth-moving Finn Emile-Brennan collected 20 disposals and kicked a contender for Channel 7 Goal of the Year with a stunning checkside from the south-western pocket.

Glenelg solidified its place inside the Hostplus SANFL League’s top three with a slick 49-point victory against Port Adelaide at Stratarama Stadium. 

Leading for the entire contest, the Bays were rarely troubled as star forward Lachie Hosie bagged a game-breaking haul of six goals as the club celebrated its back-to-back flags of 1985 and 1986 in front of 4125 fans.

The Tigers dominated possession whilst also earning 10 more clearances and 11 more inside 50 entries as they won their fourth successive game against the Magpies at Brighton Road since 2022.

Running defender Patrick Parnell (33 disposals), in his 50th appearance, Luke Partington (32 disposals) and Corey Lyons (31 disposals, two goals) all made their imprint on the outcome for Glenelg.

Classy Matt Allen was efficient with his 23 disposals and two goals while first-year player Remi Brown should be a strong contender for the Powerade Breakthrough Player award with three goals from his 23 disposals, six marks and three clearances.

Port’s Jack Watkins returned to his ball-winning ways with 30 disposals and 11 clearances while Will Lorenz had 23 disposals.

Clever Magpies goalsneak Benny Barrett was lively as he notched 18 disposals, nine marks and a goal to put on pressure at AFL selection as key defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher finished with 17 disposals and 11 marks.

Port forward Jack Lukosius finished with 10 disposals, six marks and a goal before copping a knock to his shoulder in his return from a long-term groin injury.

It certainly wasn’t pretty but West Adelaide won a tough arm-wrestle by just five points against North Adelaide at Revo Fitness Oval. 

Trailing by two points when Rooster Jake Cresswell put his side in front with a goal on the run 17 minutes into the final term, the Bloods were able to find two majors in time-on to steal the premiership points.

Tom Morrish pounced on a reflex ball to snap from close range to put the visitors in front before Judd Hansen found Chris Burgess over the back with his long ball inside 50m to seal the win.

North’s Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier snapped a goal in the 27th minute to give the hosts a chance but it was Burgess who saved the day with a timely defensive mark on the final siren.

Burgess was a strong performer with 18 disposals, eight marks and three goals in the tightly-fought encounter while Westies were also well served by Cade Kennedy (28 disposals), Jonti Schuback (27 disposals) and Ben Ridgway (24 disposals, one goal) in his return from a hamstring strain.

Lion-hearted North veteran Mitch Harvey did everything in his power to haul his team over the line with 25 disposals, five marks, six clearances and 42 hit outs.

Roosters midfielder Angus Schumacher tallied a match-high 32 disposals, eight clearances and five marks while Cresswell had 20 disposals and two goals.

A goalless first quarter wasn’t enough to deny Woodville-West Torrens a stirring six-point triumph against Central District at Maughan Tiem Kia Oval.

Falling behind by as much as 35 points when Bulldog Leyton Chisholm kicked truly in the 12th minute of the second stanza, the Eagles displayed tremendous spirit as Kade Herbert put his side in front late in the contest.

Bulldog Aiden Grace converted his free kick for a push in the back to put Central in front by a goal in the 18th minute, giving the sense the visitors might do enough to steal an unlikely win.

But towering Eagle Connor Ballenden showed off his skill by shrugging off a tackler to snap a goal on the run from 30m, tying the scores in the 22nd minute.

Then it was Herbert’s turn to prove his value to the Eagles as he snapped from 30m, got a lucky bounce which evaded Dogs defender George Kendall in the goal square.

Herbert, who has enjoyed a resurgent 2026 campaign after a serious neck injury last year, finished with 23 disposals, two goals and four marks while Ted Clohesy’s workrate was outstanding in chalking up 29 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles.

Eagles veterans Joey Sinor and Sam Rowlands lifted to collect 18 disposals each while emerging youngster Jack Cook continues to look at home in Hostplus SANFL League company, finishing with 19 disposals and his team’s first goal of the game.

Forgotten Eagle Zac Buck, playing just his third League game for the season, was a significant reason in his team’s comeback with three goals in the third term.

Bulldog Luca Whitelum registered 27 disposals and seven marks while Josh Fahey was a constant danger with 24 touches in the absence of Magarey Medallist Harry Grant, who was a late withdrawal.

Anzac Lochowiak kicked two goals from his 14 disposals for the visitors while talented Dogs tall Tallan Rosenzweig had 13 disposals, one goal and four marks.