THE SANFL Under 18 finals race is set to boil down to the final home-and-away weekend, after a trio of key results in Round 17. West Adelaide kept its top five hopes alive by knocking off the ladder leader, Norwood remains a chance of snatching the minor premiership, and Sturt will hope to hold on to fourth place. We recap the action from all four Saturday games.

West Adelaide 10.16 (76) defeated North Adelaide 9.6 (60) 

West Adelaide moved within striking distance of a finals spot after a 16-point win against ladder leader North Adelaide. The Bloods trailed at each break, before a spirited final term saw them come from behind to secure the victory.  

Harry Barnett returned from SANFL League duties for the home side. The young ruckman was influential in his return, finishing with 15 possessions and 33 hit-outs. Kobe Ryan won 28 disposals and seven clearances, continuing his dominant form through the middle of the ground, while Harry Lemmey (18 disposals, nine marks, one goal) played well in a variety of roles for the home side. West Adelaide forwards Tom Scully and Judd Hansen finished with three goals each.  

North Adelaide had four players kick multiple goals, with Oliver Dignan, Owen Kalic, Oscar Pedler and Ethan Walker all kicking two-a-piece. Skipper James White was fantastic in the middle of the ground, winning 18 disposals and a game-high eight clearances, while Jed Dignan (22 disposals) and Isaac Keeler (18 disposals, five clearances and 11 hitouts) were also important.  

Sturt 6.9 (45) defeated by Woodville-West Torrens 8.6 (54) 

Woodville-West Torrens got over Sturt in tightly contested affair, with the home side’s inaccuracy ultimately coming back to haunt them. Despite their dominance in the ruck, the Double-Blues were unable to capitalise at stoppage, conceding the clearance battle 39 to 32.  

Bailey Arthur (36 disposals, 11 clearances), Callum Fairall (24 disposals, seven clearances, seven tackles) and Jordan Tilbrook (23 disposals, seven clearances, 15 tackles) lead the way through the middle of the ground, while Tyler Welsh made the most of his opportunities up forward, kicking four goals straight. Jonte Hunter-Price was also one of his side’s best, finishing with three goals and four contested marks.  

Nick Sadler was easily best on ground for Sturt in defeat. The South Australian state representative filled the stat sheet, finishing with 31 disposals, eight clearances, nine tackles and two goals. Ruckman Fraser Greaves got first touch in most ruck battles, finishing with 38 hitouts, while Tyler Borneman (21 disposals), Patrick Tideman (21 disposals) and George Pope (19 disposals, 11 tackles, eight inside 50s) were the better ball-winners for Sturt.

Glenelg 6.5 (41) defeated by Norwood 8.11 (59) 

Norwood edged closer to clinching a finals berth after separating itself from Glenelg in the last quarter. Carrying just a four-point lead into three quarter time, the Redlegs kicked three goals to one in the final term to seal the victory.  

Declan Tomney (30 disposals, six tackles) and Tyson Walls (28 disposals, five clearances, six inside 50s) were instrumental for the visitors, but they weren’t alone with Grant Catalano (26 disposals, one goal), Taj Rahui (23 disposals, nine tackles one goal) and Logan Evans (22 disposals, six tackles, 10 rebound 50s) also key contributors.  

Glenelg were still missing some key players due to school footy, but were well lead by Ben Ridgway and Hayden Brokensha. Ridgway managed a game-high 34 disposals to go with eight tackles, five clearances and nine inside 50s. Brokensha accumulated plenty of the football around the ground, finishing with 24 disposals, seven marks and five rebound 50s. Sam Pridham (23 disposals) and Ethan Murdock (19 disposals, two goals) were also important for the home side.  

Central District 6.7 (43) defeated by South Adelaide 14.10 (94) 

South Adelaide inflicted a heavy defeat on Central District, running out 51-point winners. Fresh off their AFL Draft Combine invites, Jaiden Magor (13 disposals, five goals) and Will Verrall (21 disposals, nine clearances, seven marks, 36 hitouts) were the two best players on the ground for the Panthers. Kyle Marshall won a team-high 22 disposals, while Austin Hogg (20 disposals, five clearances), Ryan Pearson (20 disposals, one goal) and Koby Cockshell (11 disposals, three goals) were strong contributors in the win. Lively forward Jack Delean managed one goal from 13 disposals. 

Nash Haynes (31 disposals, 14 rebound 50s) and Brodie Tuck (30 disposals and nine marks) found plenty of the football. Jayden Matz (16 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances, 13 hitouts) battled hard all day against Verrall in the ruck, while Liam Fawcett was the only multiple goalscorer for the Dogs, finishing with two majors.  

UP THE GRADES:

Josh Bradford and Max Michalanney continued at Reserves level for Norwood, enjoying a 14-point win over Glenelg. The two won 17 and 14 possessions respectively. Ruckman Alex Van Wyk got his second start in the grade, finishing with 14 disposals, six clearances and 18 hitouts in the win.  

Adam D’Aloia had a team-high 29 disposals in Woodville-West Torrens’ two-goal loss to Sturt. D’Aloia added five tackles and 10 clearances to be named the Eagles’ best. Blake Hansen also had 21 disposals in the loss, while star prospect Mattaes Phillipou was ruled out after suffering an ankle injury during the week.

Up at League level, Adam Deakin got the chance to play on Adelaide Oval against the Adelaide Crows Reserves side. The South Australian State Under 18s representative managed eight disposals in a tough 55 point loss.  

Charlie Duncan debuted in the top flight for South Adelaide, winning 14 disposals in a win against the Port Adelaide Reserves side. Port Adelaide Next Generation Academy prospect Nathan Barkla won nine disposals in the same game for the opposing side.