BOTH 2024 SANFL Under 18 grand finalists have been defeated in the opening round of season 2025, as South Australia’s premier junior competition got underway over the weekend. Sturt knocked off reigning premier Woodville-West Torrens by six points, while Central District was humbled by Glenelg.

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Sturt took advantage of the Eagles’ wayward goalkicking to salute 11.7 (73) to 8.19 (67) at Mount Barker. The Double Blues kicked ahead in term two having gone into the first break level, before the visitors stormed into the lead during term four inspired by an early Logan Hughes double.

After Woodville-West Torrens claimed a seven-point lead with over five minutes left to play, Sturt snatched it back through Ben McArthur with just over a minute on the clock. The match was the first of a double-header at The Summit featuring all of last season’s finalists.

Eagles midfielder Jack Cook led all comers with 37 disposals, seven clearances and a goal, while teammates Jevan Phillipou (31 disposals, nine marks) and Zane Peucker (29 disposals, one goal) were also prominent. Hughes finished with four majors in the loss.

Sturt’s state squad members made their presence felt, headlined by three goals from Noah Roberts-Thomson (20 disposals, eight marks). Jett Dahlitz‘s 33 disposals and eight rebound 50s were unmatched, while Richmond father-son prospect Louis Kellaway stood out with 27 touches.

In Saturday’s second preliminary final rematch at The Summit, Glenelg bested Central District by 43 points. The Bays blew out to an eight-goal to one first half lead and never looked back, running out comfortable 14.10 (94) to 7.9 (51) victors despite a second half lift from the Bulldogs.

Glenelg defender Luke Candy ran riot with a game-high 31 disposals and 12 rebound 50s, balancing his offensive drive with nine tackles. Gabriel Patterson did the damage with four goals, leading a group of five multiple goalkickers. Jimmy Hele (20 disposals, nine tackles) was also named in the Bays’ bests.

Ruck/forward Aidan Schubert was named best afield for the stacked Centrals side having compiled 21 touches, eight marks and 11 hitouts. Fellow state squad member Joshua Reichelt filled his boots with 30 disposals and seven inside 50s, while debutant Dusty Geister booted three goals.

The third of Saturday’s fixtures was played at Coopers Stadium, where Norwood finished strongly to beat South Adelaide by 25 points. Having led by a single kick at half time, the Redlegs fell behind in term three but went on to boot seven majors on the bounce to set up the 14.11 (95) to 10.10 (70) victory.

The likes of James Annese (20 disposals) and Luke Speyer (19) were among Norwood’s list of 11 individual goalkickers, spearheaded by three from Jim Kelly (19 disposals). Jeff Rozenbilds led all comers with 24 touches and five clearances, while Bayln O’Brien was named best afield for the Redlegs.

Meanwhile, Jesse Nye (28 disposals, one goal) and Archie Van dyk (27) were the main accumulators for South Adelaide. The latter was an Under 16 All Australian last year. Kody Shortridge booted three goals in the loss as Hudson Voigt and Thomas Simpson each managed two majors.

West Adelaide’s 29-point win over North Adelaide wrapped up the Round 1 action at Hisense Stadium on Sunday. The Bloods led at every break and built a definitive buffer with six goals to three in the second quarter to eventually run out 12.12 (84) to 8.7 (55) winners on home turf.

Spearhead forward Mitchell Marsh snared four goals in the victory, while Archie Walsh (21 disposals, seven marks), Harper Ryan (19 disposals, one goal), and Thomas Kain (17 and nine) were Westies’ main ball winners. Anthony Long (2.5) and Zanen Syrokos (2.1) also impacted the scoreboard.

It was no surprise to see Sam Cumming rack up plenty of possessions for North, finishing with 31 and nine inside 50s. Bottom-ager Memphis Webb was best-on for the Roosters though, collecting 32 disposals and a goal. Talls Taj Murray (eight marks) and Ethan Herbert (18 hitouts) also got busy.

At the end of Round 1, Glenelg sits pretty atop the ladder but faces a tough ask to stay there with an impending Round 2 matchup against reigning premier, Woodville-West Torrens. First-up victors West Adelaide and Norwood will also face off in a Saturday double-header at Hisense Stadium.

ROUND 1 RESULTS

Norwood 14.11 (95) def. South Adelaide 10.10 (70)
Sturt 11.7 (73) def. Woodville-West Torrens 8.19 (67)
Central District 7.9 (51) def. by Glenelg 14.10 (94)
West Adelaide 12.12 (84) def. North Adelaide 8.7 (55)

SANFL U18s LADDER

1. Glenelg | 1-0, 64.8%
2. West Adelaide | 1-0, 60.4%
3. Norwood | 1-0, 57.6%
4. Sturt | 1-0, 52.1%
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5. Woodville-West Torrens | 0-1, 47.9%
6. South Adelaide | 0-1, 42.4%
7. North Adelaide | 0-1, 39.6%
8. Central District | 0-1, 35.2%

ROUND 2 FIXTURE

South Adelaide vs. North Adelaide
Saturday March 22, 11:20am @ Magain Stadium

West Adelaide vs. Norwood
Saturday March 22, 1:50pm @ Hisense Stadium

Woodville-West Torrens vs. Glenelg
Saturday March 22, 4:20pm @ Hisense Stadium

Central District vs. Sturt
Sunday March 23, 2:10pm @ X Convenience Oval