DESPITE some of South Australia’s top talent missing this week for the AFL Academy game in Melbourne, there were several standout performances across all competitions on the weekend.

SANFL League:

There was a real spread of highlights across the league, one of which being a huge goal haul from Glenelg’s Terry Milera, who booted seven goals in their narrow loss to Port Adelaide Magpies. Last year’s Under 18 state representative players Brad McCarthy and Alex Martini impressed also for Glenelg. For North Adelaide, former Crow Keenan Ramsey dominated their match kicking six goals in a massive win for the Roosters, and former Prince Alfred College student Mackenzie Slee made his League debut for the Roosters as well.

Reserves:

Glenelg dominated Port Magpies and Lachie Hosie booted eight goals for the Bays, with last year’s South Australian state member Sam Davis was also amongst the best collecting 16 disposals and two goals. North recorded another win, and once again Frankie Szekely found the scoreboard. Norwood’s Cole Gerloff has impressed over the first two rounds along with South Adelaide’s Nathan Kreuger, who was again prominent in the Panthers’ narrow loss. Central dominated the Eagles in their match, and youngster Jez McLennan was not out of place. Ball magnet and 2017 South Australian state member James Rowe collected 29 possessions and two goals in a losing side.

Under 18s:

Glenelg kicked away against Sturt, and country lad Seb Schreiber was a standout through the whole game with 26 possession and seven rebounds. Finn Betterman was also strong throughout the match in a range of positions.  Mihail Lochowiak was solid again with two goals from 24 possessions, but Sturt ruckman James Braidwood caught the eye with 14 contested possessions and 26 hitouts. Father-son Casey Voss was again in the best with six rebounds over the game.

North accounted for West Adelaide by 23 points with James Langley’s three goals and seven marks making him an easy best afield candidate. Boyd Woodcock’s game high seven tackles and five clearances were impressive. The Bloods’ Beau Nunan hit the scoreboard with four goals, while Ethan Moore and underager Jye Sinderberry were both contributors.

South Adelaide had a 15-point win over Norwood, and Tom Sparrow’s 14-possession, seven-tackle game was exciting alongside father-son prospect Hayden Sampson who collected 25 disposals. Dylan Stephens and Cameron Taheny were both best for the Redlegs and both are underage 2019 prospects.

It was the Centrals and Eagles game that produced the standout performance with Malachai Ahmatt-Lovett booting se seven goals, earning him the Round 2 Under 18 Most Valuable Player award. Aaron Nietschke also collected a game high 26 possessions in their side’s 22-point win. Kysaiah Pickett was named in the best for Eagles as an underager along with 2018 South Australian Academy member Jarrod Miller who collected eight marks and five clearances.

SANFL Womens:

The last minor round of SANFL Womens competition was completed at the weekend with dominant side South Adelaide finishing as minor premiers. South will be hard to stop for the Premiership but North Adelaide will be reeling after losing their last minor round game. Some standout performers over the second half of the year have come from North Adelaide’s Britt Perry, West Adelaide’s Rachelle Martin in all games, Panthers’ Kristi Harvey has been impressive all season and Norwood’s Bek McMahon shows real leadership. Sturt’s Shae Gundlach has shown her class all year, and Glenelg’s youngster Ellie Kellock has had an impressive finish to the year.

It is on a sad note that we end this weeks wrap with the tragic passing of Sturt Women’s footballer Ellen Maple. Ellen tragically passed away on Sunday evening. Ellen was a standout performer in the SANFLW League all season for Sturt, having previously played for Norwood.