THE South Australian National Football League (SANFL) finalists were all but confirmed following the weekend’s results, as Norwood booked in a spot with victory to move two wins and percentage clear of sixth entering the final two rounds of the season.

SANFL LEAGUE:

West Adelaide 5.10 (40) defeated by Adelaide 15.15 (105)

Adelaide edged closer to top spot again with a massive 65-point victory over cellar dwellers West Adelaide. After a tight first half, the Crows booted 10 goals to one to run away with the contest thanks to 30 scoring shots to 15 in what could have even been a greater margin with better accuracy. AFL-listed Crows, Myles Poholke (28 disposals, 10 marks, three clearances, two tackles and two goals), Paul Seedsman (25 disposals, eight marks, five clearances and five tackles) and Jordon Butts (26 disposals, nine marks and two tackles) all performed strongly, while Elliott Himmelberg booted three majors from 15 disposals and seven marks in the win. For the Bloods, Kaine Stevens was the standout player with 34 disposals, two marks, two clearances and four tackles, while Chris Schmidt (26 disposals, five clearances and nine tackles) and Nathan Batley (28 disposals, three marks, three clearances and four tackles) were also strong.

Port Adelaide 18.14 (122) defeated Woodville-West Torrens 8.11 (59)

Steven Motlop‘s five goals helped Port Adelaide Magpies to a comprehensive 63-point win over Woodville-West Torrens. The Magpies dominated throughout and never looked like losing with plenty of AFL-listed stars standing up. Motlop had 15 touches, six marks and four tackles to go with his five goals, while Jack Trengove (33 disposals, six marks, five clearances and 14 tackles) and Willem Drew (38 disposals, four marks, five clearances, six tackles and a goal) both pressed claims for a recall, as did ruckman Scott Lycett, who was simply a class above, having 33 hitouts and seven clearances, to go with his 30 disposals, eight marks and six tackles. For the Eagles, Jordan Foote had 19 dispoals, three marks, two clearances, nine tackles and a goal, while Nicholas Hayes helped himself to 21 disposals, six marks, four tackles, two clearances and two goals. First round father-son hopeful Jackson Mead had the 12 touches, six marks and four tackles in the loss.

Sturt 6.14 (50) defeated by Norwood 17.7 (109)

Norwood all but locked up the 2019 SANFL finalists with a 59-point win over Sturt, joining the Double Blues on 10 wins from 16 outings. Lewis Johnston was massive with 30 touches, five marks, four clearances, four tackles and a goal in the win, while Matthew Nunn (27 disposals, four marks, seven clearances, six tackles and a goal) and Cole Gerloff (22 disposals, three marks, seven clearances, seven tackles ad a goal) were productive. First round draft hopeful Dylan Stephens again showed no signs of slowing down with 24 disposals, four marks, six clearances and four tackles. For Sturt, Sam Colquhoun‘s remarkable season continued, racking up 33 disposals, four marks, 11 clearances, five tackles and a goal in an all-round performance, while Zane Kirkwood (24 disposals, six marks, three tackles and three clearances) and James Battersby (26 disposals, three marks, 15 clearances and three tackles) also assisted in massive midfield roles.

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RESERVES:

West Adelaide 6.10 (46) defeated by Woodville-West Torrens 14.8 (92)

Woodville-West Torrens grabbed third spot and left West Adelaide’s finals hopes hanging by a string in its 46-point victory over the Bloods. The Eagles jumped past Central District on percentage and now West Adelaide is just percentage clear of Glenelg inside the top five. Lachlan McNeil had a day out with 21 disposals, five marks, five clearances and 12 tackles, wile Jimmy Toumpas (21 disposals, seven clearances, eight tackles and a goal) and Jake Comitogianni (23 disposals, eight marks, four clearances and three tackles) were also strong. For West Adelaide, Angus Rana had 32 hitouts working hard through the ruck to go with his 14 disposals, six marks, six tackles and one goal, while Scott Bentley (25 disposals, five marks and four clearances) had the most touches of anyone on the field.

Sturt 8.11 (59) defeated Norwood 8.6 (54)

Sturt fought from three goals down at the final break to run over the top of Norwood and keep in contention for top spot leading into finals. The Double Blues got the better of the Redlegs in the top-of-the-table clash with eight individual goalkickers from 19 scoring shots. Potential Brisbane father-son Casey Voss was prolific again with 26 disposals, seven marks, seven clearances, four tackles and a goal, while South Australian state winger, Josh Shute had 22 touches, eight marks, four clearances and three tackles. Edward Allan (26 disposals, five marks, three clearances and six tackles) and Oliver Grivell (21 disposals, six marks and two tackles) were others who found plenty of the ball. For Norwood, it was Sam Buckham (24 disposals, three marks, six clearances, 12 tackles and three goals) who was the clear standout, while Cody Szust (22 disposals, five marks, six tackles and three clearances) and Jed Spence (20 disposals, four clearances, 13 tackles and a goal) who were also busy.

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UNDER 18S:

Norwood 8.9 (57) defeated by Sturt 12.7 (79)

Sturt edged one win closer to Norwood with a 22-point victory over the Redlegs in a battle of those sides unable to make finals. The Double Blues jumped out to a five goals to one lead in the first term, and despite Norwood coming back in the final term with three goals to one, the game was done and dusted by the final break. William Crane was enormous through the middle with 25 disposals, 11 clearances, 16 tackles and a goal, assisted well by Heath Wingard (25 disposals, eight marks, four clearances, three tackles and three goals) and Keynan Harradine (21 disposals, four marks, nine clearances, eight tackles and one goal. For Norwood, 16-year-old Cooper Murley stood out with 2.3 from 27 disposals, five marks, eight clearances and seven tackles, joined in the bests by Marcus Roberts (24 disposals, five marks, eight clearances, one tackle and a goal) and Mitchell Carroll (23 disposals, three marks, five tackles and a goal).

Woodville-West Torrens 13.9 (87) defeated West Adelaide 3.7 (25)

The top-of-the-table Eagles had no problems dismissing second placed West Adelaide, piling on the last six goals of the game to record a comfortable 62-point win in a statement win to the competition. Zane Williams was huge for the Eagles, racking up 34 touches, seven marks, five clearances, seven tackles and booting 3.3, while Luke Barnett (31 disposals, four marks, 10 clearances, 10 tackles and a goal) and Lachlan Jones (31 disposals, eight marks) both had big numbers. Caleb Poulter (25 disposals, five marks, five clearances, seven tackles and two goals) and Lachlan Hoile (26 disposals, three marks, three clearances and six tackles) were also strong in the win. For the Bloods, Joel Groom (22 disposals, four marks, six clearances, nine tackles and a goal) and Jason Westley (27 disposals, nine marks, six clearances and two tackles) were best in defeat.