IN A top of the table clash, it was all skill in a seesawing contest which saw Sturt run away 22-point winners against Central District. The final score was 12.10 (82) to 8.12 (60), as the Double Blues cemented their spot at the top of the SANFL Under 18s ladder heading into the June long weekend. 

STURT:

#6 Will Ekberg | Midfielder

Stats: 21 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 goals

Ekberg is not afraid to win the ball inside or out. He spent most of the game in and under winning the ball, but when he wasn’t doing that, was able to either transition the football between the arcs, or get forward to impact the scoreboard. 

#9 Sam White | Midfielder

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 inside 50, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Another who had an excellent game in the midfield for the Double Blues, White was in everything for the home side. He was able to win the football in contest, and has a great goal sense when he gets forward of the football too. When his opposite number ended up with the ball, White was strong in his core to tackle, and once he clamped on they very rarely got away. 

#35 Harrison Baker | Midfielder

Stats: 24 disposals, 11 clearances, 4 tackles, 4 inside 50s

The complete midfielder. Baker built on what we saw against North Adelaide last week with a inspired performance against the Dogs. He is able to win the ball at stoppage, and is the typical “A1” midfielder. He has taken his chance with some of his teammates away with higher honours. Expect him to continue to impact upon their return as well.    

#46 Ivan Wilkinson | Forward

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 3 goals, 3 behinds

Wilkinson is taking the Under 18 competition by storm. He demands the football from his midfielders, and nine times out of 10 deals with his defender before the contest eventuates. He has strong hands and uses his body well when he is in marking contests.  When the ball hits the deck, he is just as dangerous. He snapped two stunning goals on Saturday, and it looked like he has the killer instincts usually reserved for small forwards. 

Others:

Nick Mitchell was Wilkinson’s partner in crime. Mitchell finished with 1.2, his goal tally not reflecting his aerial dominance as he gave Sturt another avenue moving forward with five marks (two contested). Tom Turnball, (20 disposals, six rebound 50s) certainly made the most of his playing time. He was often the architect moving off half-back, where he distributed the ball with ease.   

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#23 Jordan Ruchs | Forward

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 3 goals

Ruchs was able to position himself well in contests, and has strong overhead aerial ability to boot.  Much like Sturt spearhead Wilkinson, he was able to get dangerous when the ball hit the deck, snapping one of his goals that way in the third term.

#27 Jack Gordon | Defender/Midfielder

Stats: 26 disposals, 4 marks, 12 tackles, 5 clearances

The defensive general for the Dogs, and he wasn’t afraid of a contest either. When Gordon was behind the football, he was able to read the flight path of the ball and use his strong aerial ability to take marks. When he was at stoppage, he was in and under, and first to get the football out for the Dogs. Failing that, he was first to lay a tackle. Gordon has great footy smarts, positioning himself cleverly from contest to contest. 

#36 Harrison Pringle | Defender

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 marks, 2 rebound 50s

Gordan’s number two was Pringle on Saturday. He was able to stop plenty of Sturt attacks as he took intercept marks, and was getting the ball dished off to his teammates as the Dogs exited defensive 50.  

#40 Duot Bul | Ruck

Stats: 5 disposals, 28 hitouts

The Doggies ruck may not have the biggest stat sheet in the world, but it was hard to miss his influence. Bul is an athletic ruck who is able to hold his own at contest. He positioned himself to win the tap and give his midfielders first use, as the Dogs won the hitout battle all day.

Others:

Charlie Moss (10 disposals, seven marks, two goals) presented well for the Dogs and was able to play his role well as he terrorised the defence. William Cameron (22 disposals) was in and under for Centrals as he extracted the footy from the centre while others were on state duty. 

STURT 3.1 | 4.4 | 6.5 | 12.10 (82)
CENTRAL 2.4 | 4.8 | 7.12 | 8.12 (60)

GOALS:

Sturt: I. Wilkinson 3, R. Davies 2, W. Ekberg 2, N. Mitchell, K. Staker, L. Werts, J. White, S. White
Central: J. Ruchs 3, C. Moss 2, K. White 2, L. Switala

BEST:

Sturt: S. White, K. Staker, T. Brophy, H. White, L. Johnson
Central: J. Gordon, D. Dobie, H. Henke, B. McPhedran, J. Ryan

ROUND 9 RESULTS

Glenelg 3.11 (29) def. by South Adelaide 12.13 (85)
Sturt 12.10 (82) def. Central District 8.12 (60)
Norwood 8.4 (52) def. by West Adelaide 12.19 (91)
North Adelaide 11.10 (76) def. Woodville-West Torrens 11.9 (75)

SANFL U18s LADDER

1. Sturt | 7-1-1 | 58.4%
2. Central District | 5-4 | 55.2%
3. Woodville-West Torrens | 5-4 | 49.4%
4. Glenelg | 5-4 | 49.3%
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5. North Adelaide | 4-5 | 46.8%
6. West Adelaide 3-5-1 | 46.0%
7. South Adelaide | 3-6 | 52.4%
8. Norwood | 3-6 | 42.6%