GLENELG has claimed the SANFL Under 18s minor premiership despite going down to Central District in Round 18’s top-of-the-table clash. Both sides finished the season level on points with 14 wins and four losses, but the Bays’ superior percentage saw them remain in pole position heading into finals.

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The ladder leading teams could not be separated at half time and while Glenelg snuck ahead at the first and last change, it fell behind at the death. Centrals stormed home with the last three goals in an eight-minute patch, as Tom Cochrane‘s major with 20 seconds left sealed the 9.8 (62) to 8.10 (58) result.

Bottom-age Bulldogs tall Aidan Schubert was prominent with 20 disposals, six clearances and two goals, while Brodie Wills had it a team-high 24 times. Glenelg’s Jack Wisneske led all comers with 27 touches and 11 rebound 50s, though Kallan Bevan (26 disposals) was his side’s main ball winner.

While the top two spots were decided out at Stratarama Stadium, West Adelaide officially ended North Adelaide’s hopes of claiming the last finals spot in an upset win at Prospect Oval. The Bloods conceded five unanswered goals in term two but hit back with nine majors in the third to salute 12.7 (79) to 9.8 (62).

Ayden Hodgson put in a massive shift for the victors, amassing 33 disposals and 16 clearances in partnership with Joel Parker (27 disposals). Meanwhile, Joel Bettess bagged a game-high four goals for the Roosters and bottom-ager Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier racked up 27 touches.

North Adelaide finished a game adrift of finalist Woodville-West Torrens in fifth, after the Eagles downed South Adelaide by 41 points. The hosts piled on seven goals to one in the first half at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval to set up the 14.7 (91) to 7.8 (50) win and end South’s flag defence on a sombre note.

Eagles tall Charlie West dined out with 10 marks and five goals, joined atop the stats sheet by Jack Gray (four goals). Zac Schwarz was also in fine form with 29 disposals and two majors, while Cohen Shortridge (nine marks, four goals) and Oliver Goss (13 clearances) formed the Panthers’ resistance.

Over at Thomas Farms Oval, Sturt bounced back onto the winners list ahead of finals after defeating Norwood by 13 points at home. The Double Blues fell behind at three-quarter time but rallied with three goals to one in the final term to get up 8.12 (60) to 7.5 (47).

Sturt’s talls did the damage, with leading ruck prospect Alex Dodson (25 disposals, 22 hitouts, seven clearances) going to work alongside skipper Sam Waltham (nine marks, three goals). Meanwhile, Daniel Thompson (27 disposals) and Ethan Pugsley (23) were among the Redlegs’ best.

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ROUND 18 RESULTS

North Adelaide 9.8 (62) def. by West Adelaide 12.7 (79)
Woodville-West Torrens 14.7 (91) def. South Adelaide 7.8 (50)
Sturt 8.12 (60) def. Norwood 7.5 (47)
Glenelg 8.10 (58) def. by Central District 9.8 (62)

2024 SANFL U18s LADDER

1. Glenelg (14-4, 61.1%)
2. Central District (14-4, 56.6%)
3. Sturt (13-5, 53.7%)
4. Woodville-West Torrens (10-8, 54.2%)
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5. North Adelaide (9-9, 49.3%)
6. West Adelaide (5-13, 40.0%)
7. South Adelaide (4-14, 44.3%)
8. Norwood (3-15, 41.1%)