SANFL U18s | Unbeaten Redlegs stand alone atop ladder
NORWOOD is the only undefeated team left in the SANFL Under 18s competition after moving to 2-0 with a nine-point win over West Adelaide on Saturday. The Redlegs broke to a 28-point lead at three-quarter time and held on as Westies kicked home to the scoring end at Hisense Stadium.
>> SCROLL for the results, ladder, and fixtures
Several Redlegs stuffed the stats sheet, including Darcy Speyer who racked up 35 disposals, seven clearances and a goal. Luke Scott (32 disposals, 15 marks) and Noah Daw (30 and nine) were also prolific, while James Annese booted two goals from his 25 touches and 11 marks.
No one impacted the scoreboard more than Norwood’s Harry Lake (three goals), though West Adelaide spearhead Mitchell Marsh (2.3) gave it a crack. Archie Walsh and Lucas White led the way for the Bloods, both posting 24 disposals and a goal in the defeat.
The day’s other game at Hisense Stadium saw Woodville-West Torrens get on the board in season 2025 with a 15-point win over Glenelg. The reigning premiers fought back with five goals to one in term four to secure a rampant victory, and hand the Bays their first defeat.
It was no surprise to see Jack Cook (29 disposals, one goal), Zane Peucker (27 disposals, six clearances), and captain Jevan Phillipou (22 disposals, seven marks) in the thick of things for the Eagles. Logan Hughes also led the attack with three goals, backing up a haul of four in Round 1.
Harvey Croker (18 disposals) and Reed Francis-Nia Nia (24 hitouts) were named best afield for the Bays, while Tim Alver (25 disposals, six clearances) was the most prolific, and former state representative Thomas McKay (18 disposals, seven rebound 50s) stood tall down back.
North Adelaide was the other winner on Saturday, opening Round 2 with a 16-point victory over South Adelaide at Magain Stadium. After trailing at half time, the Roosters kicked four unanswered goals in term three to set up the win and leave South without one after two tries.
North midfielder Sam Cumming continued his hot start to the season, leading all comers with 30 disposals and two goals. Northern Territory native Taj Murray was also prominent, finishing with 17 disposals, eight marks, 10 hitouts and a goal.
Finn Blieschke snared three majors in response to South’s three multiple goalkickers – Thomas Simpson, Ben Dittmar, and Kody Shortridge – who all bagged two apiece. Angus White (23 disposals, eight clearances) and Jesse Nye (22 disposals, nine tackles) were busy in the loss.
In the standalone Sunday fixture, Central District held on to pip Sturt by a single point at X Convenience Oval. The Bulldogs started like a house on fire with five goals to one in the opening quarter, only to be reigned back and made to survive a late surge, ending with a rushed behind.
There was not much more Ivan Wilkinson could have done for the Double Blues, booting six goals from 10 disposals and seven marks (four contested). Noah Roberts-Thomson (27 disposals, 10 marks) and AFL Academy member Harley Barker (23 disposals, one goal) also stood tall in defeat.
Defender Joshua Reichelt again led all comers for Centrals, gathering 34 touches and 13 marks. Bottom-agers Douglas Cochrane (26 and nine) and Jack Gordon (22 and nine) were also prominent, as was ruck-forward Aidan Schubert (20 disposals, nine marks, three goals).
Both sides are now part of the six-team squeeze from second to seventh, all holding 1-1 records. Norwood has set itself apart with an unblemished start, while South Adelaide is the only club yet to get on the board. The Panthers will look to do so against West Adelaide in Round 3.
ROUND 2 RESULTS
South Adelaide 9.5 (59) def. by North Adelaide 11.9 (75)
West Adelaide 9.10 (64) def. by Norwood 10.13 (73)
Woodville-West Torrens 12.11 (83) def. Glenelg 10.8 (68)
Central District 10.5 (65) def. Sturt 9.10 (64)
SANFL U18s LADDER
1. Norwood | 2-0, 55.6%
2. Glenelg | 1-1, 54.7%
3. West Adelaide | 1-1, 53.6%
4. Woodville-West Torrens | 1-1, 51.6%
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5. Sturt | 1-1, 50.9%
6. North Adelaide | 1-1, 47.6%
7. Central District | 1-1, 42.3%
8. South Adelaide | 0-2, 43.1%
ROUND 3 FIXTURE
North Adelaide vs. Norwood
Saturday March 29, 1:20pm @ Port Pirie
Sturt vs. Glenelg
Saturday March 29, 2:00pm @ The Summit
Central District vs. Woodville-West Torrens
Sunday March 30, 12:20pm @ X Convenience Oval
South Adelaide vs. West Adelaide
Sunday March 30, 3:00pm @ Magain Stadium
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