IN a big weekend of South Australian National Football League (SANFL) action, plenty of young stars stood up across the three levels of competition, as Norwood remains undefeated on top of the table, while South Adelaide is just a point behind after forced to split the points with a plucky Glenelg outfit in a draw in Round 3.

Norwood vs Sturt

League: Norwood 8.10 (58) defeated Sturt 6.17 (53)
Reserves: Norwood 9.9 (63) defeated Sturt 7.13 (55)
Under 18s: Sturt 15.8 (98) defeated Norwood 8.4 (52)
Under 16s: Sturt 15.8 (98) defeated Norwood 8.4 (52)

Norwood’s League side snuck home in a poor kicking game over Sturt by five points. Ed Smart kicked three goals in the win, and key mid Matthew Panos was among the best. 2019 draft talent Dylan Stephens played his second league game and was solid again finishing with 15 disposals. Cole Gerloff was once again good for the Redlegs, earning a Powerade Breakthrough Player nomination for his efforts. The Reserves saw another 2019 talent in Cameron Taheny best on ground with 24 disposals and a goal in an all round game. Sturt ball magnet, Adam Trenorden and youngster, Casey Voss were among Sturt’s best.

In the U18s, Sturt’s Declan Fahey backed up his good form to date with a 32-disposal game and a Torrens Uni Most Valuable Player nomination, while Mani Liddy was also busy with 31 touches, 11 rebounds and four inside 50s. For Norwood, Mitchell Carroll was busy with 30 disposals and 11 clearances, while Xavier Tranfa had 22 and seven.

Glenelg vs South

League: Glenelg 10.10 (7) drew with South Adelaide 9.16 (70)
Reserves: Glenelg 7.16 (58) defeated by South Adelaide 9.8 (62)
Under 18s: Woodville-West Torrens 18.5 (113) defeated Glenelg 13.4 (82)
Under 16s: Woodville-West Torrens 4.8 (32) defeated by Glenelg 16.9 (105)

South Adelaide will rue conceding a six-goal final term to the Tigers at ACH Group Stadium on Saturday afternoon in what was the first draw of 2019. Despite bagging nine majors against the Crows the previous week, Liam McBean was restricted to just one behind from 7 disposals. Fortunately, Lachlan Hosie (14 disposals and 4 goals) and former Magpie and Swan, Jesse White (15 touches and 2 goals) picked up the slack up in front of the big sticks. Carl Nicholson managed 29 disposals while youngster, Will Gould played perhaps his best senior game for the club, collecting 24 disposals, 10 marks, six tackles and seven rebound 50s. For the visiting Panthers, Samuel Overall booted three while Alex Cailotto and Liam Fitt kicked two apiece. Nic Schwarz (22 disposals, 8 tackles and a goal) and Abe Davis (28 disposals and 9 clearances) were prolific in the midfield, with the ever-reliable pair of Nick Liddle and Joel Cross, both having a big impact around stoppages.

South snuck home in the Reserves, and it was a whole team contribution from the Panthers. Job Colwell was the highlight from the 2019 Panthers’ draft crop who were on show, while Declan Carmody continues to perform well for the Tigers.

In the Under 18s the Eagles dominated Glenelg, seeing Joshua Morris add to his impressive goal tally so far this season with another five majors. Callum Park again was among Glenelg’s best.

League: Woodville-West Torrens 10.17 (77) defeated by Adelaide 14.16 (100)

The Crows were too good for the Eagles on the weekend, packed full of a star-studded Adelaide lineup keen to impress selectors to break into the AFL side. Eagle, Cooper Gaffney made his league debut after a strong season so far. Bryce Gibbs played his first SANFL game since being drafted and was among the best, along with Hugh Greenwood and Patrick Wilson. For the Eagles it was an impressive performance by young talent James Rowe, who booted five goals in a lone hand for the Eagles to stand out as a clear best, while midfielder Jordan Foote was solid as ever.

Reserves: Woodville-West Torrens 18.8 (116) defeated North Adelaide 13.6 (84)

This was an intriguing match, with the Eagles all over the Roosters in the first half, while a strong fight back in the second half gave the Roosters a sniff before the Eagles settled well into the win. There was some quality talent on display, to which recruiters had a keen eye on. Eagles’ Jackson Mead was again prolific in the midfield, while the experienced Jake Johansen, in his first game for the year, slotted four in a classy performance. Young Eagles forward, Jamie Coff is one to watch with another three goals, while Roosters big man Dyson Hilder showed some real signs against his bugger opponent. Ben Jarman was a standout for the Roosters all day.

League: Port Adelaide 16.11 (107) defeated North Adelaide 13.8 (86)

Port accounted for North in a tough matchup, with Power-listed Jack Trengove and Todd Marshall easily the best for the Magpies. Trengove has started the year impressively and will be close to selection for the Power line-up.

Under 18s: North Adelaide 12.9 (81) defeated South Adelaide 11.10 (76)
Under 16s: North Adelaide 6.5 (41) defeated by South Adelaide 10.10 (70)

Harrison Magor topped the charts for North Adelaide in the loss, collecting 23 disposals, 10 clearances six marks, six inside 50s and laying nine tackles, while for South Adelaide, Marcus Lippett (30 disposals, nine clearances, four inside 50s and five tackles) and Zachary Dumesny (23 disposals, nine marks and a goal) were also busy. Liam Hamilton slotted three goals from 22 disposals, five clearances and four inside 50s for hte Panthers.

Centrals vs West

League: Central District 7.12 (54) defeated West Adelaide 5.4 (34)
Reserves: Central District 9.9 (63) defeated West Adelaide 9.6 (60)
Under 18s: West Adelaide 9.7 (61) defeated by Central District 9.16 (70)
Under 16s: West Adelaide 13.5 (83) defeated Central District 7.10 (52)

Centrals got their first win over the Bloods in a tight game. Former Carlton and Crows forward, Troy Menzel collected two goals and was solid for the Bulldogs. West Adelaide had debutant Patrick Fairlie this week, making a strong contribution and rewarded a well-deserved Powerade Breakthrough Player nomination for his performance.

It was a tight win for Centrals in the U18s and good to see a performance from father-son Henry McCabe (son of Luke McCabe) in the best, along with consistent talent Corey Durdin.