IN the penultimate round of South Australian National Football League (SANFL) action, Glenelg secured the minor premiership as a number of its rivals stumbled ahead of the final round next weekend.

LEAGUE:

Norwood 11.9 (75) defeated by Central District 13.16 (94)

Norwood was unable to secure a finals spot just yet with a shock loss to Central District on the weekend. The Redlegs were in the game for the most part, but fell at the final hurdle as the Bulldogs booted four goals to two in the final term. Troy Menzel was superb, albeit inaccurate in front of goal with a 4.6 score sheet. as well as 20 disposals, seven marks and two tackles for the Bulldogs, while Travis Schiller racked up 33 touches as well as three marks, five clearances and four tackles. Norwood’s Matthew Nunn led the way for his side with 32 disposals, four marks, nine clearances, seven tackles and three goals, while Matthew Panos was prominent in the middle with 24 disposals, six marks, 11 clearances, six tackles and a goal.

Glenelg 17.17 (119) defeated West Adelaide 6.8 (44)

Glenelg secured the minor premiership with a runaway 75-point win over West Adelaide. The Tigers booted 12 goals to three in the second half to completely dominate the Bloods and assert themselves on the competition. Matthew Snook (37 disposals, five marks, 17 clearances, eight tackles and a goal) was absolutely ridiculous on the stats sheet, while Luke Partington (32 disposals, four marks, four clearances and one goals) was a ball magnet, as was the exciting Marlon Motlop (32 touches, four marks, three clearances, two goals). For the Bloods, Nathan Batley had 27 disposals, five marks and four clearances, and Patrick Fairlie had 27 disposals, four marks, six clearances and seven tackles.

South Adelaide 15.9 (99) defeated North Adelaide 2.8 (20)

South Adelaide kept its finals hopes alive with a dominant 79-point win over North Adelaide at home. Joseph Haines led the way with 31 touches, eight marks and four tackles, while Abe Davis (20 disposals, six marks and three goals) and Jesse McKinnon (21 disposals, three marks, six clearances and three goals) both hit the scoreboard. Aidan Tropiano was best on ground despite the loss, racking up 28 disposals, two marks, 13 clearances and 12 tackles. Alex Spina (24 disposals, six marks) and Thomas Schwarz (21 disposals, dour marks, four clearances and six tackles) were both solid.

Sturt 4.10 (34) defeated by Port Adelaide 6.13 (49)

Port Adelaide has scraped together a messy 15-point win over Sturt on the road with six goals from 19 scoring shots to the Double Blues’ four from 14. Scott Lycett was a cut above in the game, recording 43 hitouts as well as 19 disposals, two marks, eight clearances, seven tackles and a goal. Jack Trengove (27 disposals, four marks, five clearances and nine tackles) and Willem Drew (23 disposals, eight clearances and 12 tackles) were others who continue to push for senior selection. Sam Colquhoun helped himself to 17 touches, four marks, four clearances and nine tackles in the loss, while James Battersby recorded a massive 11 clearances to go with his 21 touches, two marks and eight tackles.

Woodville-West Torrens 5.10 (40) defeated Adelaide 4.8 (32)

Woodville-West Torrens might be out of finals calculations but it did not stop the Eagles upsetting the finals-bound Crows. Jack Hayes (19 disposals, nine marks, two clearances and 12 tackles) and Jordan Foote (22 disposals, two marks, five clearances, 13 tackles and a goal) were prominent, while Matthew Goldsworthy and James Boyd both racked up 25 touches in the win. For the Crows, Matthew Wright had a day out with 34 disposals, four marks, one clearance and four tackles, while tackling machine Hugh Greenwood laid 15 tackles to go with his 21 disposals, seven clearances and a goal. Rory Atkins also pressed his case for a recall with 27 disposals, four marks, seven clearances, eight tackles and a goal.

RESERVES:

Norwood 10.13 (73) defeated Central District 8.9 (57)

Norwood has secured a solid 16-point win over Central District to retain top spot on the ladder heading into the final round of the season. Mac Bower had a game-high 28 disposals, as well as seven marks, two clearances and six tackles, while Jed Spence picked up 25 disposals, seven marks, four clearances and 12 tackles. For the Bulldogs, Jordan Furnell had 24 touches, seven clearances and four tackles, while Jordan O’Brien booted a goal from 21 disposals, five marks, six clearances and two tackles.

Glenelg 12.7 (79) defeated West Adelaide 12.4 (76)

Glenelg won a nail-biter of significant importance by downing West Adelaide and snatching up fifth spot on the table. The Tigers had to come from 22 points down at the final break to boot five goals to one and just sneak over the line. Ben Sawford had 29 disposals, five marks, 11 clearances and four tackles in the win, while bottom-age Adelaide father-son draft prospect Jackson Edwards had 20 disposals, two marks, three clearances, eight tackles and a goal. Reid Kuller (22 disposals, four marks, three clearances, nine tackles and a goal) was also strong in the win. Sam May was among the best for the Bloods, notching up 24 disposals, six marks, two tackles and one clearance, while Keelan Laube had 21 disposals, six marks, two tackles and a clearance.

Sturt 11.8 (74) defeated Woodville-West Torrens 8.4 (52)

Second placed Sturt guaranteed a top two spot with a 22-point win over the third placed Eagles. Edward Allan had a big game with 32 disposals, seven marks, eight clearances, six tackles and a goal, while Joel Thiele was also productive with 29 disposals, five marks, five clearances and eight tackles. Eligible Brisbane father-son prospect Casey Voss had 19 disposals, five marks, six clearances, five tackles and a goal. For the Eagles, South Australian Under-18 Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the AFL Under-18 Championships, Harry Schoenberg picked up 26 disposals, six marks, 10 clearances and four tackles, while Cooper Gaffney was also prominent with 26 touches, seven marks, five clearances, five tackles and two goals.

South Adelaide 15.4 (94) defeated North Adelaide 5.9 (39)

A 10 goals to two second half has set South Adelaide up for a big 55-point win over North Adelaide in the bottom two clash. Mark Noble was best in the midfield for the Panthers with 29 disposals, 10 marks, six clearances, three tackles and a goal, while Tate Coleman (27 disposals, eight marks, five tackles and a clearance) and Luke Bogle (25 disposals, five marks, 11 tackles and three clearances) were also impressive in the game. Up forward, Kyle Emery and Brett Kennedy combined for nine goals from 34 disposals and nine marks. For the Roosters, James Schwarz had a game-high 33 disposals, four marks, 10 clearances, five tackles and a goal, while Max Lower had six clearances and five marks from 26 disposals.

UNDER 18S:

South Adelaide 9.9 (63) defeated North Adelaide 5.5 (35)

South Adelaide locked up third spot on the SANFL Under 18s table with a low-scoring 28-point win over fourth placed North Adelaide. The Panthers booted four goals to one in the final term to run away with the contest at Flinders University Stadium. Damon Freitag was prominent in attack with two goals from 19 disposals, 10 marks, eight tackles and four clearances, while fellow South Australian Under-18 representative Daniel Sladojevic finished with 3.3 from eight kicks and four marks. Harrison Magor had a massive 33 disposals, four marks, four clearances and 10 tackles in North Adelaide’s loss, while Charlie Dinning had 23 disposals, five marks, eight clearances and four tackles.

Central District 12.2 (74) defeated by Norwood 13.9 (87)

Norwood ensured Central District remained anchored to the bottom of the table running out 13-point winners despite a five goals to two final term in favour of the Bulldogs. Tristan Binder was superb up forward with six majors from 16 disposals, three marks and four tackles, while Nathan Hearing booted a goal from 17 disposals, three marks, nine clearances and four tackles. For the Bulldogs, Rhys Cannizzaro picked up a game-high 26 disposals, as well as four marks, seven clearances, seven tackles and a goal, while Samuel Falland registered 21 disposals, three marks, four clearances and eight tackles.

Glenelg 12.13 (85) defeated by West Adelaide 15.12 (102)

Second placed West Adelaide kept Glenelg percentage outside the top four after a tight 17-point win at ACH Group Stadium. Noah Hanaga was unstoppable up forward booting six goals from 11 disposals and five marks, and had it not been for inaccuracy (five behinds), he could have reached double figures in the Bloods’ victory, Mackenzie Nield picked up 26 disposals, five marks, five tackles and three clearances, while Joel Groom was also productive with 26 touches, seven marks, six clearances and 10 tackles. For Glenelg, it was Cooper Horsnell who stood tall with two goals from six scoring shots to accompany his 30 disposals, eight marks, five tackles and two clearances, while Kye Dean also had 30 disposals as well as 10 clearances, four marks and five tackles.

Sturt 2.2 (14) defeated by WoodviLLe-West Torrens 11.14 (80)

Minor premiers, Woodville-West Torrens continued its terrific season with a dominant 66-point win over lowly Sturt. The Eagles had 25 scoring shots to four in the huge win, in what was an imposing performance a fortnight out from finals. Luke Barnett racked up 34 touches, seven marks, seven clearances and eight tackles in the win, while Zane Williams hit the scoreboard with three majors from 29 disposals, four marks, five clearances and seven tackles. Caleb Poulter (26 disposals, four marks, three clearances, nine tackles and two goals) and Jase Burgoyne (29 disposals, seven marks and three clearances) were others who were busy in the win. For Sturt, Mani Liddy (29 disposals, four marks, 10 clearances and nine tackles was the clear standout, while William Crane (25 disposals, six marks, five clearances and five tackles) was also among the best.