West Adelaide win 2025 SANFL U16 Premiership

By TOM WYMAN

West Adelaide defeated Central District by 11 points in a thrilling SANFL U16 Grand Final at Adelaide Oval.

Beaten by the Bulldogs in the Second Semi-Final two weeks prior, the Bloods had the final say to claim their first premiership at the level since 2006.

Less than two minutes had elapsed when Samuel DePalma slotted the first goal to get the Bloods off to the ideal start.

It took until the 15-minute mark for the Bulldogs to get off the mark, but quick goals to Riley Nottle, Benjamin White and Lachlan McPhedran soon saw Central lead by five points at quarter-time.

The Bloods began the second just as they did the first with a quick goal to ball-magnet Laurence Andriani as West’s running game began to flourish on the wide expanses of Adelaide Oval.

Goals to Andrew Comakis and DePalma extended West’s lead before Central found a spark in the form of livewire forward Levi Dudley.

Dudley’s goal ended a run of four-straight West majors, then he laid a team-lifting tackle deep in defence which resulted in a major to Cooper Tamas to cut the margin to five points at half-time.

Both sides exchanged blows to begin the third term with Billy Nicholls and Brayden Whimpress on target for Central and Jack Nickolls and Hugo Williams for West.

McPhedran’s second goal leveled the scoring deep in the third term, but a late mark and goal from Calvin Jones restored West’s lead after the three-quarter time siren had sounded.

Both sides missed opportunities as the intensity lifted before Toni Marrone goaled to give Central a one-point advantage at the nine-minute mark of the final term.

West continued to attack and after a run of five behinds, Dillon Marks took a strong mark close to goal and slammed through the sealing goal.

Andriani claimed best afield honours for his starring role in the midfield, collecting 32 disposals, eight clearances, nine inside-50s and a goal.

Hugo Semmler worked tirelessly in the ruck for Central, amassing 18 disposals, 20 hit-outs and seven clearances.