Round 9 SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

North Adelaide’s Mason Klenner was the match-winning hero as he edged his team in front by a point to defeat Woodville-West Torrens in a dramatic finish to the Round 9 SANFL U18 contest at Prospect Oval. 

With the Roosters trailing by five points, Klenner took a strong overhead mark near the top of the goal square before calmly converting his set shot to give the hosts the lead in the 24th minute.

North was able to hold on for the final 90 seconds as Charlie Dickeson (32 disposals, two goals), Ethan Herbert (22 disposals, two goals) and Jay Saunders played critical roles in the come-from-behind triumph.

The Eagles praised the efforts of Lachlan Sands (16 disposals, one goal), Elliot Stubing (22 disposals) and Joel Hill (21 disposals).

Sturt solidified its place at the top of the SANFL U18 ladder with a statement-making 22-point win against second-placed Central District at Thomas Farms Oval. 

Now with a handy five premiership-point lead over the Bulldogs, the Double Blues impressed with a strong final term performance which produced 6.5 to the visitors’ 1.0.

Sturt’s Sam White (16 disposals, one goal), Kyle Staker (13 disposals, one goal) and Tadhg Brophy (12 disposals, six tackles) played their roles to perfection in their team’s seventh win of the season.

Central’s inaccuracy (8.12) proved costly as Jack Gordon (26 disposals, 12 tackles), Danyle Dobie (20 disposals) and Hayden Henke (15 disposals, 11 tackles) battled hard throughout the contest.

South Adelaide put the clamps on Glenelg to record a comfortable 56-point victory at Stratarama Stadium. 

Holding the hosts without a goal until the 15th minute of the third quarter, the Panthers were able to grab a stranglehold on the contest while piling on 11.10 within the same period.

Archie van Dyk (37 disposals, two goals), Brady McDonald (29 disposals) and Jake Wigzell (14 disposals) were among the visitors providing their team with the platform to make a run at an unlikely finals berth.

On a difficult day for the Bays, Harvey Croker (32 disposals, seven clearances), Kobe Gibson (31 disposals, one goal) and Isaiah Clothier (30 disposals) all found plenty of the Sherrin.

West Adelaide overcame its inaccuracy to leapfrog Norwood on the ladder with a 39-point win at The Parade. 

Booting 1.7 in the first term, the Bloods then applied the scoreboard pressure after quarter-time to slam on 11.12 across the final three stanzas while also racking up a commanding 49-36 inside 50 count.

In form West trio Archie Walsh (36 disposals, nine marks), Lucas White (27 disposals, 17 marks) and Cameron Wildy were at the forefront of the visitors’ success.

Despite winning the clearances 30-23, the best efforts of Robert Varcoe (16 disposals, three goals), Luke Scott (36 disposals, 13 marks) and James Van Wyk (20 disposals, 11 clearances) weren’t enough to bridge the gap.