THE SANFL Under 18s season got back underway over the weekend after a three-week hiatus, with four games spread across Saturday afternoon. Headlining the action was Central Districts’ 26-point win over Glenelg in a top-of-the-table clash at X Convenience Oval.

The Bulldogs found their bite with five unanswered goals in the second quarter which ultimately proved the difference between the two sides. Glenelg was made to rue wasteful goalkicking in the 6.12 (48) to 11.8 (74) defeat, but remains atop the ladder via its superior percentage.

Tall pair Tallan Rosenzweig and Aidan Schubert booted three goals apiece for the victors, while fellow state Under 18 squad members Joshua Reichelt (23 disposals), Matthew LeRay (20 disposals, 10 marks), and Ryan Lane-Ellis (17 disposals, four clearances) were also prominent.

Glenelg, which was without a bunch of representative stars, fell to only its second loss of the season. Charlie McAuliffe was the Bays’ best with 17 disposals and three goals, while trio Kallan Bevan, Conor Gluyas, and Archer Rouvray led their side’s disposal count with 19.

The other major result out of Round 12 saw Woodville-West Torrens defeat North Adelaide by nine points to snatch fourth spot. Making good use of the scoring end at Woodville Oval with five unanswered goals in term three, the Eagles held firm to win 10.8 (68) to 8.11 (59).

Both sides were aided by a selection of state Under 18 representatives. Harry Dodd was among them for the Eagles, with his 25 disposals and six clearances bested only by Zac Schwarz’s 33 and seven. Jack Gray also booted four goals from six touches to spearhead the win.

Bottom-age midfielder Samuel Cumming was terrific for the Roosters with 30 disposals and two goals after being rotated out of the state team. The likes of Oliver Francou (33 disposals, nine clearances) and Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (30 disposals) also filled their boots in the loss.

Sturt was also among the weekend’s winners after beating the bottom-placed West Adelaide by 65 points on the road. The Double Blues remain just a win outside the top two. Elsewhere, Norwood defeated South Adelaide for its second win of the season, saluting by 17 points at home.

With the state Under 18 side having played its final game on Sunday – a 52-point loss to Vic Metro – many of the SANFL’s star prospects will return to clubland for the second half of the season. Regular programming continues next week with Round 13 spread across Saturday and Sunday.

ROUND 12 RESULTS

Norwood 13.5 (83) def. South Adelaide 9.12 (66)
West Adelaide 4.7 (31) def. by Sturt 15.6 (96)
Central District 11.8 (74) def. Glenelg 6.12 (48)
Woodville-West Torrens 10.8 (68) def. North Adelaide 8.11 (59)

SANFL U18s LADDER

1. Glenelg (10-2, 62.52%)
2. Central District (10-2, 58.81%)
3. Sturt (9-3, 54.37%)
4. Woodville-West Torrens (6-6, 51.88%)
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5. North Adelaide (6-6, 45.86%)
6. South Adelaide (4-8, 50.15%)
7. Norwood (2-10, 41.32%)
8. West Adelaide (1-11, 35.44%)

BULLDOGS BITE BACK INTO FINALS CONTENTION

SOUTH Fremantle has leapt two spots up the WAFL Colts ladder into seventh after its 38-point win over East Perth on Saturday. The Bulldogs held their adversaries to a remarkable 1.14 (20) scoreline at Leederville Oval to sit just one win away from the top five.

Despite missing some key players to the state Under 18 side, South Fremantle kept the Royals goalless for three quarters in what ended up being a comfortable victory. It was only the Bulldogs’ third victory of the season, but saw them leapfrog East Perth and Peel Thunder in one fell swoop.

Mitchell Geier (19 disposals, four goals) and Hudson Pivac (nine marks, two goals) combined for all bar one of the Bulldogs’ majors. Nick Campo (26 disposals, 11 marks) and Lucas Robinson (23 disposals) were also among the bests, while Tyler Rowe racked up 29 touches.

In a heavy loss, East Perth’s Matthew Petagna led all comers with 30 disposals, followed closely by the reliable Adam De Masi (29), who also posted eight marks and nine tackles. Sam Graham was the Royals’ lone goalkicker, splitting the big sticks in the 13th minute of term four.

In Sunday’s lone fixture, reigning premier and ladder leader Claremont roared to an 85-point victory over East Fremantle. The Tigers applied relentless scoreboard pressure, booting at lead four goals in each quarter to run out 18.13 (121) to 5.6 (36) winners at Leederville Oval.

Claremont ensured the Sharks’ prolific ball winners hardly had a sniff, with ruck Oliver Pentony winning a whopping 43 hitouts. Sullivan Moody earned best afield honours for his game-high 24 disposals and seven inside 50s, while Rory Luscombe booted three goals from 18 disposals and 10 marks.

While the Tigers remain a game-and-a-half clear in top spot, West Perth and Subiaco are right on their tails after also notching wins in Round 13. The Lions rode out a strong start to beat Peel Thunder by four goals, while the Falcons downed Perth via Judd Marcello‘s major in the dying stages.

Akin to South Australia, the West’s best prospects will filter back into the WAFL system after a 1-3 Under 18 National Championships campaign. The Sandgropers played out the last of their four games on Saturday, going down to Vic Country by 11 points at Claremont Oval.

The WAFL Colts home-and-away season is quickly drawing to its conclusion. Round 14 will see another four fixtures take place – all on Saturday July 6 – with last placed Peel Thunder having the bye. Only seven rounds remain before finals and anything could happen in the race for top five spots.

ROUND 13 RESULTS

Peel Thunder 8.8 (56) def. by Subiaco 12.8 (80)
Perth 7.11 (53) def. by West Perth 8.10 (58)
East Perth 1.14 (20) def. by South Fremantle 7.16 (58)
East Fremantle 5.6 (36) def. by Claremont 18.13 (121)

WAFL COLTS LADDER

1. Claremont (9-1, 153.9%)
2. West Perth (7-2-1, 129.7%)
3. Subiaco (7-3, 108.6%)
4. Swan Districts (5-4, 103.7%)
5. East Fremantle (4-6, 95.9%)
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6. Perth (3-6-1, 87.2%)
7. South Fremantle (3-6, 77.5%)
8. East Perth (3-7, 76.8%)
9. Peel Thunder (2-8, 85.7%)