STATE representatives were scattered across the sides in Round 15 of the SANFL Under 18s, as the Croweaters turn out for their final match of this year’s National Championships. Three of the top four sides were defeated, as West Adelaide looks to shake up the finals spots with just three home-and-away rounds left.

Central District 7.6 (48) defeated by Norwood 19.8 (122) 

Norwood used an 11-goal to one second half to put away a fast-starting Central District by 74 points. Central kicked four of the first five goals of the game to take a six-point lead into the first break. It was all Norwood from that point though, as the Redlegs dominated the next three quarters to run out comfortable victors.  

Beau Baldwin continued his strong form, winning 29 disposals and kicking two goals. Damon Pitt (17 disposals, seven marks (four contested) and four goals and Phoenix Foster (15 disposals and two goals) formed an impressive tall duo in the forward line, while Jacob Jones (18 disposals, eight clearances, six tackles and a goal), Connor Butcher and Declan Tomney (both 22 disposals and a goal) all found plenty of the ball.  

Harvey Pedler finished with 14 disposals and a goal in his return from state Under 18 duties, while SA Talent Hub members Riley Verrall (22 disposals and nine rebound 50s) and Taj Rahui (11 disposals and two goals) were key contributors. Brayden Rachwal added an equal game-high four goals for the Redlegs.  

It was many of the same contributors for Centrals, with Trent Tattoli (27 disposals and six clearances) and Nash Haynes (23 disposals and 11 rebound 50s) again finding plenty of the football. Ruckman Jayden Matz (18 disposals and 15 hitouts) was one of his side’s best, while Liam Fawcett and Will McCabe both finished with three goals each.  

South Adelaide 9.10 (64) defeated Sturt 7.11 (53) 

South Adelaide held on at home to beat Sturt by 11 points. Panther, Koby Cockshell finished with a game-high four goals to go with seven marks (five contested) in a best on ground display.

Talon Copley (22 disposals, 10 rebound 50s) found plenty of the football deep in defence, while Austin Hogg (17 disposals and five clearances) and Ryan Pearsons (17 disposals, eight marks, eight rebound 50s and a goal) also found plenty of the football. Fresh from State Under 18 duties, Kyle Marshall replaced Will Verrall in the ruck. Marshall finished with an equal game-high 18 hitouts to go with seven disposals.  

Kobe McEntee (24 disposals, seven inside 50s, four clearances and six tackles) and George Pope (16 disposals and seven clearances) stood up in the absence of Luca Slade, whose strong SANFL Under 18 form was rewarded with an opportunity in South Australia’s state side. As he is each week, Chad Reschke was a presence in the forward line, finishing with three goals and six marks (four contested).

Glenelg 8.11 (59) defeated by West Adelaide 8.13 (61) 

West Adelaide closed the gap on Sturt in the top four with a narrow win over Glenelg on the road. The home side got off to a quick start, kicking a goal in the first minute of the game, however West Adelaide piled on the next three and maintained that lead through-out the remainder of the first half.  

Three goals to none in the third quarter saw the Tigers take the lead at the final change, but majors to Darcy Minchella and Harry Lemmey early in the fourth saw West Adelaide hit the front. Sam Pridham goaled with 10 minutes to go to draw Glenelg within a single kick, but the Bloods held on to record a two-point victory.  

Minchella (21 disposals, 11 marks (seven contested), 20 hit-outs and a goal) was best on ground for Westies, while Tyson Coe (28 disposals and six clearances), Liam Westdijk (22 disposals, seven marks and a goal) and Charlie Haysman (25 disposals, six rebound 50s) were good for the visitors. Lemmey finished with one goal and four behinds from seven disposals.  

Bowen Payne (27 disposals and nine marks), Anders McShane (23 disposals, seven marks, eight tackles and a goal) and Tom Corcoran (19 disposals and a goal) stood up for the home side. Charlie Hildyard (20 disposals and seven inside 50s) was lively, while Zac Spilsbury (15 disposals, five clearances and 14 hitouts) battled hard in the ruck.  

Woodville-West Torrens 15.6 (96) defeated North Adelaide 10.10 (70) 

Woodville-West Torrens put in a complete four quarter performance to defeat North Adelaide by 26 points. The Eagles welcomed back Nathan Barkla from representative duty and he got right to work, collecting 20 possessions, six marks and four clearances.

Bailey Arthur was also prominent with a game-high 29 disposals and a goal. South Australian State U16’s forward Tyler Welsh kicked three goals from 14 disposals and six marks in his debut game at SANFL U18 level, while Jordan Tilbrook (22 disposals), Elex Day (21 disposals) and Pat Toole (19 disposals) won plenty of the football for the home side.  

North Adelaide had a strong performance from Max Blacker (22 disposals and two goals) in his return to the side after playing at the National Championships. He was supported well by the ever reliable Hughen Wissman (27 disposals, six clearances and seven inside 50s) and Angus Tully (21 disposals and five clearances). Jed Dignan tied a team-high for goals, finishing with two to go with his 19 disposals, while Kane McAuliffe and James White both had 17 possessions each.  

UP THE GRADES:

Norwood debuted two players in the SANFL Reserves in against Central District. Josh Bradford (15 disposals and five clearances) and Noah Hyde (10 disposals) got their first taste of senior football, while Logan Evans (24 disposals, seven marks and nine rebound 50s) was named in Norwood’s best in his fourth reserves outing this season. Central reserves regulars Finn Reed and Austin McDonald both had eight possessions in their sides loss.  

Glenelg youngsters Will Trevena and Hayden Brokensha collected nine touches each in their loss to West Adelaide’s reserves side, while Cormac Dwyer (22 disposals, four clearances, eight marks and a goal) took no time at all to adjust to senior football, named in Sturt’s best in their win against South Adelaide’s reserves.  

2005-born prospect Patrick Weckert kicked an incredible eight goals in his senior football debut for Woodville-West Torrens. Weckert was joined by Blake Hansen (15 disposals) and Brody Mair (seven disposals, two goals) who enjoyed a 37-point victory against second-placed North Adelaide.