SOUTH Australian football continued on the weekend with North Adelaide now the new premiership favourites following an impressive win over reigning premiers Glenelg in the League competition, while three sides remain unbeaten in the Reserves, and two others in the Under 18s. Six of the eight clubs are unbeaten in at least one of the three grades, giving fans something to smile about over the weekend and season thus far in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).

Central District vs. South Adelaide

South Adelaide has enjoyed a comfortable 44-point win over Central District in the league game, blowing away their opponents in the last term. The Panthers led by 15 points at the final break having inaccurately kicked 5.11, before piling on 6.1 to 1.2 in the last quarter to run away with the contest. South Adelaide arguably should have won by more with a whopping 54 inside 50s to 20, though the Bulldogs’ defence did well with 43 rebounds to 15. Central also led the tackle count with 72-51, while the Panthers had 24 more marks for the game.

Joseph Haines led the way in disposals for the Panthers, picking up 30 touches, 11 marks – two contested – and two inside 50s, while former Port Adelaide midfielder Matthew Broadbent racked up a game-high nine clearances to go with 26 touches, eight marks and five inside 50s. Joel Cross (25 disposals, six marks – two contested – five clearances and four inside 50s) and Ben Heaslip (24 disposals, eight marks – one contested – three clearances and five inside 50s) were impressive, while Zach Dumesny stood tall with a goal from 19 touches, 10 marks and three inside 50s.

James Boyd brought his own ball to the game for Central, racking up a mind-boggling 39 disposals, 11 marks, six tackles, five clearances and seven rebounds. He worked well in midfield with Troy Menzel (27 touches, 11 marks – two contested – three tackles, three clearances and a goal) and Darcy Pisani (22 disposals, two marks, four tackles, six clearances and two rebounds). Luke Habel and David Haydon combined for 38 disposals, 14 marks and eight rebounds working hard in the back half, while Corey Durdin had another 11 touches, as well as four marks and three inside 50s.

In the Reserves it was Central District that handed out a heavy beating, slamming home a whopping 12 goals to one in the second half to run away with the contest in a one-sided affair. The win meant Central sits atop the Reserves ladder while the Panthers hold up the competition at the other end of the table.

It was another big win to South Adelaide in the Under 18s, with the Panthers recording a comprehensive 76-point victory over Central District. The Panthers were on from the first bounce, booting six goals to zero in the opening term, and then kept Central scoreless in the final term while piling on five goals to win 16.12 (108) to 4.8 (32). The Panthers had an extra 113 disposals, 45 marks and 20 inside 50s showing just how dominant they were.

Bottom-age Panthers, Matthew Roberts and Jason Horne both had some big days out, as Roberts racked up 27 touches and 11 marks, while Horne finished with three goals from 26 disposals, six tackles, four clearances and four inside 50s. Max Clifton was strong in midfield with five clearances and seven inside 50s to go with 26 touches and seven tackles, teaming up well with Cooper Rogers and Jaiden Magor who combined for 41 disposals, 16 tackles, 11 clearances and 10 inside 50s, while Magor slotted 2.3. Liam Hamilton was the most prominent forward for the Panthers snagging five goals from eight scoring shots, while Liam Nye kicked the three majors.

Lewis Cowham was again one of Central’s best despite the loss, picking up a team-high 21 disposals and nine clearances, as well as five tackles, three marks and two inside 50s. Shaye Linke (16 disposals, two marks, 12 tackles, six clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) was prominent, as was Jacob Fiebiger (15 disposals, three marks and eight rebounds) of of defence. Similarly, Darcy McDonald and Aidan Ponton had 14 touches and five rebounds each.

Glenelg vs. North Adelaide

Booting the last three goals of the game would not be enough for Glenelg as the reigning premiers undefeated streak came to an end at the hands of North Adelaide on Saturday. In a seesawing contest, the Tigers led by five points at quarter time, before the Roosters took control to lead at each of the other breaks, including by as much as 19 points at three quarter time. North Adelaide got out to a 20-point lead in the last term, before Luke Reynolds booted two goals, and then Carl Nicholson snagged one, but it would not be enough to get the Tigers over the line, going down by three points, 11.5 (71) to 10.14 (74).

Campbell Combe had 27 disposals, two marks, 13 tackles, nine clearances and three inside 50s in a big game, while a number of his teammates racked up 25 touches. Jared Allmond (25 disposals, four marks, four clearances, five inside 50s and a goal), Mitchell Clisby (25 disposals, two marks, three tackles, three clearances, four inside 50s and four rebounds) and Thomas Schwarz (25 disposals, five marks, eight tackles, two clearances and four inside 50s) were all prolific. In front of goal, Kym Lebois was the sole multiple goalkicker with three majors, while Mitch Harvey had 35 hitouts from 15 disposals, six marks – two contested – and four clearances.

Liam McBean and Reynolds both snagged three goals for the Bays, while Darcy Bailey booted two majors in the narrow defeat. Matthew Snook picked up 27 disposals, three marks, 13 tackles, six clearances and seven inside 50s, with Bradley Agnew and Jack Hannath huge around the stoppages. Agnew finished with 23 disposals, three marks, six tackles, eight clearances and six inside 50s, as Hannah racked up 31 hitouts for 21 touches, six marks, nine clearances and five inside 50s. Luke Partington also had 20 touches, six marks, five tackles and five inside 50s in a solid display.

In the Reserves, Glenelg bounced back from a goalless first term to run over the top of North Adelaide thanks to a stronger second half. The Bays trailed by 14 points at quarter time and eight at half-time, but booted eight goals to five in the second half, with a five goals to one third term in particular the difference between the sides. In the end, Glenelg took home the chocolates, 10.9 (69) to 8.5 (53).

In a very one-sided contest that ended in Glenelg triumphing by a whopping 75 points, it was inaccuracy that ultimately hurt North Adelaide, booting just 2.15 for the game as the Roosters’ opponents piled on 16.6. Most of that damage was done in the opening half as the Bays booted 10.5 to 2.7, and then held North Adelaide goalless in the second half with eight behinds to the Roosters’ name, while Glenelg piled on 6.1 in that time for a 16.6 (102) to 2.15 (27) victory.

Lewis Rayson had a big game in the win, picking up 35 disposals, 11 marks – one contested – four tackles, three inside 50s and five rebounds. Also busy for the Tigers were Hagan Wright (27 disposals, seven arks, two tackles, three inside 50s and seven rebounds) and Henry McAuliffe (25 disposals, two marks, six tackles, three clearances, five inside 50s and three rebounds). Potential Adelaide father-son selection Luke Edwards had plenty of the ball with 24 touches, eight marks, four tackles and 10 inside 50s, while Lucas Schulz (five goals), Luke Pedlar (three), Riley Davis (three) and Hugh Stagg (two) were all multiple goalkickers.

Blayne O’Loughlin topped the disposal winners for the Roosters with 28 touches, eight marks and eight rebounds, while AFL Academy member Jamison Murphy had the 26 disposals, four marks, eight tackles, six clearances, five inside 50s and three rebounds. Also prominent in the middle was Kallis Freer (23 disposals, four marks, five tackles, nine clearances and four inside 50s), while Tariek Newchurch had seven inside 50s to go with 14 touches.

Sturt vs. West Adelaide

Sturt’s League side has bounced back from a forgettable Round 2 defeat to post a tight win over West Adelaide. The Double Blues have moved three points clear in fifth spot on the SANFL table after winning 11.6 (72) to 9.10 (64). It was Sturt’s fast start of four goals to one that got the Double Blues going in the opening term, and while the Bloods pegged them back by the main break, Sturt did not give in. A more accurate 11 majors from 17 scoring shots to West Adelaide’s nine from 19 told a tale, as the Double Blues dominated possession (56 per cent and plus 58 disposals) and marks (plus 55), but the Westies were better in other ways with 20 more tackles and 10 more inside 50s.

Sam Colquhoun again led the way for the Double Blues with 26 touches, six marks, three tackles, three inside 50s, two clearances, four rebounds and a goal, while James Battersby (25 touches, three marks, seven tackles and 12 clearances) was instrumental through the middle. Sam Wundke had 25 disposals, 11 marks – one contested – and 10 rebounds in a phenomenal effort in defence, while Abe Davis pushed up the ground to influence in the middle after being a scoring threat in the early rounds to finish with 20 touches and six clearances. Others who impressed included Daniel Fahey-Sparks (15 touches, eight marks – three contested – 36 hitouts and five inside 50s) and Ash Johnson if he had been able to find his kicking boots, slotting 1.5 from 13 touches and six marks – two contested – in the game.

The Westies had lower overall disposal winners but it did not stop Brett Turner battling hard with Battersby at the stoppages, notching up 11 clearances and five inside 50s from 21 disposals and five tackles. Kaine Stevens (20 disposals, four marks, eight tackles and four clearances) was also busy there, while potential number one AFL Draft pick Riley Thilthorpe continues to stand up at League level with his best game of the season collecting 13 disposals, six marks – three contested – 11 hitouts and two goals in a prominent day out. Isaac Johnson was the most damaging forward with 3.2 from 13 disposals, three marks, nine tackles and seven inside 50s.

Sturt had a much easier time in the Reserves, as the Double Blues notched up their first win with a 52-point victory over West Adelaide to move into the top four. The Blues slammed home six goals to zero in the second term to open up a 45-point lead at the main break, and while the Westies clawed to within 36 points at three quarter time, Sturt came again and booted 4.4 to 2.0 in the last term to run out 13.13 (91) to 5.9 (39) winners.

Sturt’s Under 18s also tasted success in a good weekend for the Double Blues, getting up by 49 points. Sturt and West Adelaide were neck-and-neck on Saturday at Hisense Stadium in the opening half, with the double Blues leading by a point and then a goal at the quarter and half-time breaks. While inaccuracy might have plagued them in the first half, the Double Blues found their range after that, extending the lead out to 19 points by the final change, then running away with a six goals to one final term in the 16.11 (107) to 9.4 (58) victory.

Tom Powell suffered leather poisoning during the game, racking up a ridiculous 39 disposals, 14 clearances, eight inside 50s, three marks, four tackles and two rebounds, also kicking two behinds. The next highest ball winners were Bradley Jefferies (24 disposals, five tackles, three clearances and a goal) and Mani Liddy (22 disposals, eight clearances, four tackles and three marks). Will Spain was also productive onball with Liddy, amassing six clearances to go with 21 touches, six tackles and four inside 50s while Malachy Carruthers had 20 disposals six marks, four tackles and three rebounds. However the most eye-catching performance might have been Zabien Parker-Boers up forward who slotted seven goals – only two less than the entire West Adelaide team – after taking six marks from 17 touches.

Bailey Chamberlain tried hard in the middle for the Westies, notching up 20 disposals, four marks, six tackles, five clearances, two inside 50s and two rebounds, aided by Cade Kennedy (17 disposals, nine tackles, three clearances and two marks) and Lachlan De Cesare (13 disposals, five clearances and eight tackles). Harvey Bock also worked well out of defence with 13 disposals and five rebounds, while Hamish Dunkin (15 disposals, seven marks and three rebounds) was solid Thomas Rundle and Tyrell Sgroi booted three majors each up forward for the Bloods.

WWT Eagles vs. Norwood

After two tight losses against premiership contenders, Norwood was sent crashing back to earth by an impressive Woodville-West Torrens Eagles outfit. The Redlegs’ social media summarised it perfectly yesterday with the words “Nowhere near good enough”, as the Eagles held the visitors to one goal or less in three of the four quarters and booted 14 goals from 26 scoring shots themselves. Despite a three-goal third term giving Norwood some hope, the Bloods still trailed by 35 points at the last chance, but instead it was the Eagles who piled on 5.2 to 0.2 and ran away with the contest, 14.12 (96) to 4.7 (31).

Jimmy Toumpas racked up some big numbers for the Eagles yet again courtesy of 27 touches, five marks, four tackles, three clearances and two rebounds, while Jordan Foote had a feast through the midfield with a team-high seven clearances to accompany 24 touches, five tackles, five inside 50s and three rebounds. Matthew Goldsworthy was good on the outside with 21 touches, six marks, three tackles, eight inside 50s and two goals, while James Rowe, Jack Hayes and Jesse Lonergan combined for eight goals off 52 touches and 13 inside 50s. AFL Academy hub member and Port Adelaide Next-Generation Academy member Lachlan Jones also impressed with 16 disposals, six marks, two inside 50s and two rebounds.

Former Adelaide midfielder Richard Douglas had his biggest game of the year so far for the Redlegs, racking up 31 touches, five marks, five tackles, five clearances, four inside 50s, five rebounds and a goal in a strong all-around effort. Ruck, Sam Baulderstone was equally damaging with 30 hitouts, nine clearances and 21 disposals, while Brad McKenzie (21 disposals, eight rebounds and eight marks), Nik Rokahr (21 disposals, seven marks) and Mitch Wilkins (20 disposals, eight marks) had plenty of the ball. Matthew Panos and Peter Bampton shared in 12 clearances from 35 disposals onball, while Cody Szust worked hard with seven rebounds from 15 touches out of defence, but it was a forgettable day for the Redlegs.

It was much the same result in the Reserves with the unbeaten Eagles continuing to pile on the pain against a winless Redlegs side to win by 63 points at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval. The Eagles booted four goals to zero in the second term to race away to a 36-point half-time lead, and while the Redlegs tried to stay in touch in the third term, a four goals to one final quarter once again saw Woodville-West Torrens pull away in a 15.13 (103) to 6.4 (40) victory.

Norwood turned the tables of Woodville-West Torrens in the Under 18s competition, running away with an impressive 39-point win to sit fourth after three rounds and hand the Eagles their third straight loss. The teams were tight throughout the contest, as Norwood led by four points at quarter time and one point at half-time. They pulled away a little in the third courtesy of a five goals to three term, but still only held a 14-point advantage at the final chance. It was the five goals to one last quarter that did all the damage as Norwood ran away with the 16.13 (109) to 10.10 (70) victory.

Bottom-age Redlegs star, Cooper Murley had a day out thanks to 29 touches, two marks, six tackles, seven clearances, five inside 50s and two goals, while Jack Saunders picked up 25 touches, two marks, seven clearances, nine tackles, three inside 50s and three rebounds. The other player to notch up more than 20 touches for Norwood was Michael Cavallaro (21 disposals, seven marks, four inside 50s, two marks and two rebounds), while Nathan Hearing had 26 hitouts and eight clearances from 19 touches out of the ruck. Up forward, Finn Heard had plenty of chances with a five-goal haul that could have been even more, booting four behinds as well, while Marcus Roberts, Xavier Tranfa and James Higgins all snagged multiple goals. In defence, Matthew Dnistriansky had six rebounds from 16 touches, teaming well with Ben Ianniello (12 disposals, seven rebounds).

For the Eagles, Caleb Poulter‘s sensational season continued, booting two goals from 29 touches and eight marks – two contested – as well as five tackles, five inside 50s and three rebounds. Potential Port Adelaide father-son prospect, Jase Burgoyne had a handy day with 27 disposals, five marks – one contested – three tackles, three clearances and seven rebounds, while Harrison Dawkins booted a goal from 25 touches, five clearances and four inside 50s. Max Lister (20 disposals, three marks, four tackles, six clearances and five rebounds) impressed, while another Port Adelaide father-son prospect, Taj Schofield had an impressive game with 17 disposals, five clearances and a goal.