THE 2021 SANFL Under 16s season rolled on into Round 5, with four fixtures split evenly across Thursday evening and Friday afternoon. League frontrunners South Adelaide and Sturt both dined out with 55-plus point triumphs, while North Adelaide made it three wins on the trot and Glenelg snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a thriller. All that, and more in our Round 5 wrap.

West Adelaide 9.6 (60) def. by Glenelg 8.13 (61)

Glenelg broke the hearts of West Adelaide on Thursday evening, snatching a one-point win against the Bloods at Hisense Stadium to snap its two-game losing streak. The Bays trailed at every break and only briefly snuck ahead during the second term, but two goals at the death saw them escape with the full set of points, winning 8.13 (61) to 9.6 (60) to make their wealth of opportunities finally count.

Ben Ridgway was exceptional for Glenelg, booting two goals alongside Charlie Hillier while also collecting a game-high 28 disposals and five clearances. The pair also ended up putting their side ahead at the clutch. Ashton Moir and Lucas Camporeale were also among the Bays’ big ball winners, as the former also dominated aerially with 11 marks (five contested).

Will Patton and Marcus Pavlic were Westies’ sole multiple goal kickers with two apiece. Pavlic also worked hard to win 14 hitouts, three clearances, and three marks. Lukas Zvaigzne was terrific with 21 touches and a goal, but it was Jordan Gadeleta who ended atop the Bloods’ disposal charts with 24.

Norwood 5.7 (37) def. by South Adelaide 14.12 (96)

South Adelaide remains the SANFL Under 16s team to beat after defeating Norwood by 59 points at Coopers Stadium on Thursday evening. South led from the first goal and applied consistent scoreboard pressure to comfortably pull away from the Redlegs throughout; managing seven goals in each half, with nine of their total 14 majors coming at one end in the 14.12 (96) to 5.7 (37) drubbing.

Panthers standout Tom Wheaton claimed game-high tallies in disposals (24), marks (11), tackles (seven) and inside 50s (seven) in a terrific performance which also yielded a goal. Sid Draper was Souths’ next best ball winner, as the likes of Phoenix Hargrave (three goals) and Sebastian Oliver (two) both made their touches count. Hargrave was among a trio of Panthers to boot three majors.

Harvey George and Rohan Bailey were kept busy in Norwood’s defence as they both ticked over 20 touches while combining for 11 marks and 15 rebound 50s. Kade Madigan was also amongst it with 17 disposals (15 kicks), seven marks and a goal, as Eamonn Cronin clunked five contested grabs in a solid aerial display.

North Adelaide 10.16 (76) def. Central District 9.4 (58)

North Adelaide claimed its third win on the trot, straightening up in front of goal to down Central District by 18 points at Prospect Oval on Friday afternoon. The Roosters trailed by nearly three goals during the third term despite boasting a wealth of scoring shots, but more than made up for it in the final term with five goals to Centrals’ one, running out 10.16 (76) to 9.4 (58) victors.

Roosters gun Kane McAuliffe racked up a team-high 35 disposals to go with game highs in marks (14), tackles (six), and inside 50s (seven), continuing his incredible run of form in 2021. Jed Dignan led a trio of North players to boot two goals, while Angus Tully and Luke Harvey were others who saw plenty of the ball.

Bulldogs skipper Trent Tattoli led all comers with 37 touches and a goal from midfield, trailed closely by Sebastian Wauer on 36 and 13 marks. William McCabe also won his fair share of possessions, as William O’Brien booted a game-high three goals and Angus Vandenberg notched two from his 20 disposals in Centrals’ losing effort.

Sturt 13.15 (93) def. WWT Eagles 5.8 (38)

Sturt flexed its muscles after half time to thump Woodville-West Torrens (WWT) by 55 points at Unley Oval on Friday afternoon. The Double Blues shot out of the blocks but were pegged back well in term two by a plucky Eagles outfit, before streaming away once again after the main break with eight goals to one. The power-packed flurry contributed massively to their 13.15 (91) to 5.8 (38) victory.

Spearhead Chad Reschke snagged three goals for Sturt, but was one of two players to also notch four behinds. George Pope finished as the Blues’ major ball winner with 26 touches and six clearances, as Kobe McEntee (21 disposals) and Ned Atkinson also got busy in the win.

Defender Jedd Thomson was the only Eagle to tick over 20 disposals, with 22 of his 25 touches coming via foot. Jett Hasting was among a trio of WWT players to finish on 16, while Colby Ackland and bigman Izaac Niemann managed to add two goals apiece despite their side’s loss.

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Image Credit: Nick Hook Photography