WOODVILLE-West Torrens has set itself apart atop the SANFL Under 18 ladder after Round 4, where the Eagles defeated Norwood by 40 points at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval. After skipping away to a 39-point lead at the main break, the home side made it 52 at three-quarter time to set up the convincing win.

The result sees Woodville-West Torrens move to a standalone 3-1 record in top spot, while Norwood falls out of the top four at 2-2 after winning its first two games. Nine state academy members took the field for Sunday afternoon’s clash, and week took note of how each of them fared.

Woodville-West Torrens 16.9 (105) def. Norwood 10.5 (65)

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#5 Jack Cook (Midfielder/Defender)
Stats: 31 disposals, 9 tackles, 1 goal

It was no surprise to see Cook top his side’s disposal chart once again, racking up 31 in a typically industrious outing. The leading tackler in the league started with one at the opening centre bounce and went on to save a goal with his lunging effort in term three. Otherwise, Cook got his hands on the ball with ease, getting into good positions to receive, run, and deliver by foot. He was even the designated kicker when rotating to defence, but also showcased quick and clean hands.

#15 Lachlan Sands (Midfielder)
Stats: 25 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Having arguably his best game of the season to date, Sands made good on the midfield minutes he was afforded. His ability to identify and hit leading targets was exceptional, proving exactly the player Eagles forwards wanted delivering the ball inside 50. Sands snared a classy checkside goal in the third quarter and set up several more, including a couple for Jack Mumford. By holding width and making smart runs, he got to show off his turn of foot more as the game wore on.

#25 Jevan Phillipou (Midfielder/Forward)
Stats: 16 disposals, 4 clearances, 2 goals

While he seemed a little proppy at times, Phillipou ventured on several explosive runs through the middle of Woodville Oval. He looked dangerous when breaking out the front of stoppages or twisting and turning his way out of tight spots. The brother of St Kilda’s Mattaes adjusted nicely to use better vision and composure instead of blazing away long in those instances, especially after quarter time. He ended up playing deep forward and snared a pair of goals in the final term, adding a bit of shine to his performance.

#29 Logan Hughes (Tall Forward)
Stats: 6 disposals, 3 marks, 1 goal

Hughes made a promising start to proceedings but was otherwise well contained by fellow state academy member Noah Daw. He timed an early lead well to gain separation and mark up the ground before quickly turning for a long kick to assist his side’s opening goal. Hughes later took a strong grab peeling off over the back to bag his only goal just before quarter time. He otherwise found it difficult to impact aerially, but that allowed other Eagles forwards like Mumford to shine.

Others:

Mumford starred inside the Eagles’ forward 50, booting five goals thanks to a strong set of hands on the lead and clinical set shot conversion. The likes of Jack Leys (21 disposals, two goals) and Zane Peucker (20 disposals, one goal) were also lively in the front half with their pressure and speed.

NORWOOD:

#3 Will Prescott (Forward)
Stats: 16 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals

Prescott was among the Redlegs who fought until the end, bagging a pair of consolation goals during term four as reward for effort. His final quarter was terrific, nabbing his first major from a long-range density free kick, before producing a rundown tackle to bag his second. He could have had another if he steadied better after a run of four bounces. Prescott otherwise got his hands on the ball as a high forward but only really found opportunities closer to goal late in the day.

#6 Bayln O’Brien (Defender)
Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles

O’Brien was solid as ever as a competitive defender in Norwood’s losing effort. He showcased a clean set of hands and sound reading of the play to intercept several times, also relying on his driving kicks to clear the lines. O’Brien was consistently there to mop up across defensive 50 and positioned well higher up the ground to help lock the ball in when Norwood attacked. Even against the likes of Phillipou, he was rarely beaten one-on-one.

#8 Jim Kelly (Midfielder)
Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 4 clearances

Kelly was among Norwood’s most prominent midfielders, showing a happy knack for sharking the ball at stoppages. He would often do so on the move and use his momentum to break to the outside, but struggled to always use the ball effectively under physical pressure. That changed later in the game, aided by a move to the wing, as Kelly was able to find space and open up the play by hitting classy kicks out to the expanses of Woodville Oval.

#15 Noah Daw (Tall Defender)
Stats: 26 disposals, 10 marks, 8 rebound 50s

Daw was close to the best player afield in a losing effort, especially under the weight of 49 defensive 50 entries. He took the Logan Hughes matchup and after being beaten a couple of times early on, tightened the screws to nullify the Eagles’ spearhead. He competed hard aerially and began to find his groove with some terrific intercept marks in the second half. Daw was also a designated distributor and used his long kicking from the restarts. His only glaring blemish was a dropped mark which led to Jack Cook’s goal – seemingly being unsighted by the sun in his eyes.

#21 Fergus Myall (Key Forward/Ruck)
Stats: 10 disposals, 5 marks, 13 hitouts, 1 goal

Myall again showed good potential as a developable tall, playing the conventional ruck-forward role. He spent most of his time in attack, often searching high up the ground or providing a target deep inside 50. While he didn’t quite have the strength to hold his contested marks, Myall was a handy fold for Sam Ainsworth in the ruck. He proved unselfish in front of goal too, hitting passes inboard when  he had chances on the boundary.

Others:

Sam Ainsworth continued his impressive form as Norwood’s primary ruck, notching up 28 hitouts and five clearances to go with his first quarter goal. Captain Darcy Speyer worked hard all day in midfield and defence to lead all comers with 32 disposals and six clearances. Micah Kretschmer (23 disposals, one goal) was also busy as a small midfielder, while Mitchell Stevenson made his presence felt inside 50 with four goals and five marks.

SANFL U18 ROUND 4 RESULTS

West Adelaide 10.4 (64) drew w/ Sturt 9.10 (64)
Central District 18.8 (116) def. South Adelaide 12.9 (81)
Glenelg 10.19 (79) def. North Adelaide 10.13 (73)
Woodville-West Torrens 16.9 (105) def. Norwood 10.5 (65)

SANFL U18 LADDER

1. Woodville-West Torrens | 3-1, 54.3%
2. Sturt | 2-1-1, 54.9%
3. North Adelaide | 2-2, 50.2%
4. Central District | 2-2, 49.2%
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5. Glenelg | 2-2, 48.8%
6. Norwood | 2-2, 47.8%
7. West Adelaide | 1-2-1, 48.6%
8. South Adelaide | 1-3, 46.7%