THE RACE for fourth spot is heating up in the SANFL Under 18s, though the ladder remains the same after Round 11. Fifth-placed Woodville-West Torrens failed to capitalise on North Adelaide’s loss, while South Adelaide continues to bridge the gap to the projected finalists.

>> SCROLL for the Round 11 results & ladder

A bumper 14 state squad members turned out across the four games, with eight featuring in the Eagles’ 14-point loss to Central District. The Bulldogs clawed back from deficits at the first two breaks to kick ahead at three quarter time, and held on to salute 12.13 (85) to 11.5 (71).

Ryan Lane-Ellis led all comers with 30 disposals, nine inside 50s and a goal in his side’s victory, followed by state teammates Matthew LeRay (26 disposals) and Joshua Reichelt (23). Cameron Nairn also made his mark with 3.3 from 21 touches and 11 marks in the absence of Central’s usual goalkickers.

For Woodville-West Torrens, Rome Burgoyne racked up 27 disposals and eight inside 50s in a return to form, while Jevan Phillipou (20 disposals, two goals) continued to stuff the stats sheet, and Charlie West (nine marks, two goals) stood up in his first game back for over two months.

Saturday’s other game saw Glenelg maintain its one-game buffer in top spot after defeating North Adelaide by 34 points at Prospect Oval. The Bays burst out of the blocks with six goals in the opening term and ground out the 12.9 (81) to 7.5 (47) victory to put the Roosters at risk of losing fourth place.

Charlie McAuliffe booted four goals to spearhead the win, as Kallan Bevan amassed a game-high 31 disposals and nine clearances. Oliver Francou (28 disposals) and Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (26) were typically prolific as North’s top ball winners, while Hunter Press snared three goals.

On Friday night, South Adelaide continued its hunt in the finals race with a 36-point victory over bottom-placed West Adelaide. The Panthers fell behind at the main break but rallied clinically with nine goals to two in the second half to win 16.6 (102) to 10.6 (66).

Cohen Shortridge (27 disposals) was clear as the Panthers’ top disposal getter, followed by Benny Barrett (19) who also notched 12 tackles and eight clearances. Meanwhile, Oliver Goss slotted three goals and Ryan Borlace was strong aerially with 14 hitouts and seven marks.

The Bloods were led valiantly by Samuel Burbridge, who amassed 32 disposals, 11 clearances and two goals in the defeat. Finn McArdle put his name on the scoresheet with three majors as Westies suffered their tenth defeat, still level with Norwood at the foot of the ladder.

Sturt scraped home to a one-point road win over Norwood to remain planted in third spot, holding off the Redlegs’ late charge. The hosts poured in four of the game’s last five goals but fell short of an unlikely comeback by the slimmest of margins, going down 12.6 (78) to 12.5 (77).

Jasper Maher stood up with a haul of five goals for the victors, while Oscar Merrett (26 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) and Kobee Dabinett (23, eight and one) were prolific. Jake Hill led Norwood’s effort with 27 touches, nine tackles and eight clearances, along with Jay Polkinghorne (three goals).

The SANFL Under 18s season will now enter a fortnight-long hiatus, with Round 12 to be played on Saturday June 29. In the meantime, South Australia’s Under 18 side will take on Western Australia at Alberton Oval on June 16, before hosting Vic Metro at the same venue on June 30.

>> Scouting Notes: South Australia vs. Vic Country

STATE SQUAD MEMBERS

Central District:
Ryan Lane-Ellis – 30 disposals, 7 clearances, 9 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Matthew LeRay – 26 disposals, 7 marks, 6 inside 50s
Joshua Reichelt – 23 disposals, 8 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Glenelg:
Luke Candy – 19 disposals, 3 marks, 2 clearances

North Adelaide:
Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier – 26 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s

South Adelaide:
Benny Barrett – 19 disposals, 12 tackles, 8 clearances, 1 goal
Ryan Borlace – 14 disposals, 7 marks, 14 hitouts, 2 goals
Dakota Sterzl – 14 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

Sturt:
Ned Atkinson – 12 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal

Woodville-West Torrens:
Rome Burgoyne – 27 disposals, 23 kicks, 8 rebound 50s
Harry Dodd – 19 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s
Logan Hughes – 16 disposals, 8 marks, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal
Jevan Phillipou – 20 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals
Charlie West – 19 disposals, 9 marks, 2 goals

>> FULL SQUAD: 2024 South Australia Under 18s

ROUND 10 RESULTS

Woodville-West Torrens 16.12 (108) def. Norwood 3.5 (23)
Sturt 13.8 (86) def. West Adelaide 8.9 (57)
South Adelaide 17.14 (116) def. North Adelaide 6.8 (44)
Central District 8.4 (52) def. Glenelg 16.11 (107)

SANFL U18s LADDER

1. Glenelg (10-1, 64.43%)
2. Central District (9-2, 58.66%)
3. Sturt (8-3, 52.59%)
4. North Adelaide (6-5, 45.81%)
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5. Woodville-West Torrens (5-6, 51.74%)
6. South Adelaide (4-7, 50.7%)
7. Norwood (1-10, 39.88%)
8. West Adelaide (1-10, 36.37%)