LAST weekend saw all SA Under 18 talent back to their local South Australia National Football League (SANFL) clubs, or back into the College Footy system as the first round kicked off. The Under 18 squad for SA has been finalised along with also the Under 16 SA squad as well. Key SA players will soon settle into full U18 National Championships training and preparation as they build their form and vie for final positions within the team. We cover all the big news out of South Australia thanks to Jamie Morgan, Damon Mattiazzo and Tom Wyman.

The full SA squad can be found here.

Adelaide 12.14 (86) defeated Norwood 9.14 (68)

The Crows consolidated their position inside the top five with a comeback victory over the previously unbeaten Redlegs. On Friday night at the Parade, Adelaide draftees Chayce Jones and Ned McHenry reinforced their claims for a senior birth in the upcoming Showdown, collecting 24 and 25 touches respectively. The young first-round duo was aided by Patrick Wilson (25 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances) who may be in Magarey Medal winning form. Josh Jenkins managed just one behind as small defender Luke Brown made a successful return from injury. Norwood young gun and SA state squad member Dylan Stephens collected 13 disposals, four marks and kicked a goal in just his third league appearance. Stephens was accurate by foot in an outside role, with the 18-year-old already looking settled at the level. He, along with teammate Cameron Taheny look set to feature prominently for the Croweaters in the upcoming National Championships, as the sole Redlegs representatives. Elsewhere, Mitch Grigg was effective in the midfield and Lewis Johnston prolific and precise in his role across half-back.

Port 18.11 (119) defeated Centrals 13.7 (85)

Port Adelaide extended its winning streak to sneak back into the top five with a grinding home victory against Central District. Power-listed ruckman duo Billy Frampton and Peter Ladhams are continuing to dominate in recent weeks, with Ladhams instrumental to the win with 28 disposals, 40 hitouts and 10 clearances. Blonde bombshell Billy Frampton backed up his five goal match last round with another four-goal haul against the Dogs and is in the form of his career this season. Jack Trengove is becoming a weekly SANFL watch and has continued his push for AFL selection collecting a team-high 32 disposals in another best on ground performance. Steven Motlop upped his output (27 disposals, five clearances and goal) to regain his place in the side for this weekend’s showdown. Joe Atley (28 disposals, 11 clearances) and Tobin Cox four goals were also pivotal to Port Adelaide’s control of the contest. Central’s lost midfielder Travis Schiller before the bounce and were aided by brother Jarrod (30 disposals) and Kyle Presbury (32 disposals, three clearances) who ensured the Dogs didn’t fall away. Troy Menzel was Central’s main goal kicking threat kicking four goals, while wingman Nick Gillard also contributed with three goals. Neagle brothers Jydon and Matt are the only Central’s players to nominate for the Mid-Season Rookie Draft, collecting 22 and 12 touches respectively in the tough defeat.

Norwood vs Centrals

Reserves: Centrals 10.6 (66) defeated Norwood 6.2 (38)
Under 18s: Centrals 9.4 (58) defeated Norwood 5.10 (40)

In the U18s game, underager Corey Durdin was a standout for Centrals in their win. Durdin has found form again in 2019 rewarded with selection in the U18 squad as a 17 year old, and also earning himself a U18 MVP nomination with 27 disposals, 13 contested, eight clearances and a goal in an all round game.

South vs West

League: South 15.11 (101) defeated West 10.6 (69)
Reserves: West 14.8 (92) defeated South 9.5 (59)
Under 18s: – South 13.14 (92) defeated West 9.6 (60)

Former AFL-listed forwards Jono Beech and Abe Davis both slotted four goals for their sides, but it was the Panthers who ran away 32-point victors at Noarlunga. Davis, whose brother Ben is currently listed with Adelaide, took his season tally to nine majors in what was another strong performance. Joseph Haines (26 disposals and seven marks), Joel Cross (24 disposals and four marks) and Benjamin Heaslip (23 disposals and eight clearances) continued their consistent and prolific starts to the year for the Panthers. For the Bloods, Will Snelling was again impressive in his role on the inside of the midfield, collecting 38 disposals (ranked sixth in the league overall), 12 clearances and 16 tackles (ranked first) in another likely three-vote performance. Kaine Stevens, John Noble and Logan Hill were also amongst the best as the club slumped to its fifth loss of the season.

In the U18s hitout, SA U18 squad members Daniel Sladojevic and Tom Rundle were best for their respective sides. Big man Sladojevic finished with 4.5 for the Panthers along with eight marks including four contested. Tom Rundle was solid as well for the Bloods with 18 disposals and 14 hitouts

Sturt vs North

League: Sturt 13.14 (92) defeated North 8.10 (58)
Reserves: North 13.12 (90) defeated Sturt 11.10 (76)
Under 18s: North 11.11 (77) defeated 7.5 (47)

The Double Blues have bounced back after stuttering start to the season and are now back challenging the top five after six rounds of the season. The resurgence has come off the back of playmaker Sam Colquhoun who is continuing to rack up possessions at will with another 34 disposals and nine clearances in Saturday’s win. Colquhoun has nominated for the Mid-Season Rookie Draft and still has the attributes to impact at the highest level. Captain Zane Kirkwood led from the front once more with 30 disposals and two goals, as unsung hero Steven Slimming curtailed North’s Aidan Tropiano influence on the game and gathered 20 disposals and a goal. For North Adelaide, Tropiano worked hard in the confined space at stoppages, laying 12 tackles and accumulating 28 disposals. Former Eagles Tom Schwarz and Jarred Allmond fought hard in the midfield battle, both recording 24 touches in the defeat. U18 SA member Dyson Hilder suited up for the North league side and made a contribution putting him in the best for the Roosters, which was impressive. The Roosters need to as many wins as possible after the State match bye to give themselves any chance of making the finals after starting the season with minus four points.

SA U18 squad members Ollie Grivell was a strong contributor in Sturts reserves, and Casey Voss has continued his midfield form again for the Double Blues after a break out year in 2018. Harrison Magor was rewarded with a Reserves game for North, and showed some good signs.

Glenelg vs Eagles

League: Glenelg 19.9 (123) defeated Eagles 10.13 (73)
Reserves: Eagles 15.9 (99) defeated Glenelg 8.3 (51)
Under 18s: Eagles 17.6 (108) defeated Glenelg 7.10 (52)

Glenelg continues its from in the League side with another convincing win over a struggling Eagles outfit. The forwards of Glenelg dominated with Luke Reynolds kicking four. Fellow Bay forward Lachie Hosie booted another two goals, and has also nominated for mid-season draft so will be interesting to see what clubs show interest. In the Reserves, the Eagles were always on top and experienced for the young Tigers side. U18 squad members Brady Searly and Declan Carmody suited up for the Tigers Reserves and was hard for them to make any impact in the loss. Experienced Eagle James Boyd was best afield after being dropped from the League side last week, while Nick Moore kicked seven goals. U18 Eagles talents Harry Shoenberg was best afield with 23 disposals and a goal and forward Josh Morris added another six goals to his impressive season tally. Both lads are part of the SA U18 squad, and continue to make an impact. Taj Schofield (father/son Jarrod Schofield) is an underage member of SAs U18 side, and he also was solid for the Eagles with one goal, three score assists and 18 disposals. Luke Edwards (father/son Tyson Edwards) was Glenelg’s key mover.

SANFL Under 16s Grand Final

Glenelg 12.13 (85) defeated West 6.10 (46)

Glenelg finished off the U16 season strongly with a convincing win over West Adelaide. The U16s competition had some quality games throughout the season, with West going into the Grand Final as favourites. With the U16 season now completed, the SA Under 16 squad was announced with some quality players to watch for future years. The squad can be found here.

College Football – Premier Division 1

In the first round of games the feature match was Sacred Heart (SHC) vs Prince Alfred College (PAC). Sacred Heart defeated Prince Alfred College for the first time since 2016 in a thrilling, last-gasp effort. Having led for the entirety of the game, despite early inaccuracy in-front of goal, Princes took the lead with just ten minutes to go in the final term. However consecutive goals from full forward Reid Patterson and a game-winner with 20 seconds remaining from Lachie Stoddard ensured the Hearts kicked off their season with a win, despite being without athletic utility Will Day who missed with a hamstring injury. Skipper Beau McCrae led from the front and produced a strong performance through the midfield and across half-back, whilst bottom-age state and national representative Zac Dumesny also impressed with his clean ball use and strong marking down back. Fellow squad member Karl Finlay was solid at full-back for Princes, whilst Kossie Pickett showed plenty of speed, run and carry for Princes.

Rostrevor College comfortably accounted for St Michaels securing victory by 85 points, with the visitors dominating from start to finish. South Australian under-18 squad member and Norwood’s Cameron Taheny starred for Rostrevor with five goals in tandem with team mate Sturt’s Anzac Lochowiak.