CENTRAL District has roared into the SANFL Under 18 finals series after a mammoth 140-point win over Glenelg in the ultimate home-and-away round. Needing a win or draw to secure a postseason berth, the Bulldogs kept the Bays goalless in the rampant 22.14 (146) to 0.6 (6) victory at X Convenience Oval.

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Draft prospect Cameron Nairn led all comers for Centrals with 31 disposals, seven marks and a goal, while Aidan Schubert (20 disposals, six marks, 21 hitouts) and Jack Ryan (17 disposals, 23 hitouts, three goals) ruled the airways. Shaquan Davey also popped up with a game-high four majors.

Bottom-ager Jack Gordon (27 disposals, 10 clearances), defender Joshua Reichelt (23 disposals, one goal), and captain Matthew LeRay (21 disposals, six marks) were among the Bulldogs’ prominent ball winners. Meanwhile, no Bays player managed over 17 disposals as Centrals controlled the contest.

The result sees Central District set up an knockout bout with Woodville-West Torrens, also a rematch of last year’s Grand Final. It comes after the Eagles, who were second heading into the final round, went down by 12 points to South Adelaide at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Saturday.

Panthers tall Harry Wadewitz had a day out, amassing 34 disposals, 12 marks, 21 hitouts and 10 clearances in the win. Bottom-age stars Archie Van dyk (28 disposals, one goal) and Kodah Edwards (18 and two) also played key hands along with state representative Elliott Duffield (24 disposals, nine marks).

Missing its two best players to the League side, Woodville-West Torrens was led by 24 disposals to Joel Hill and three goals from spearhead forward Jack Mumford. The Eagles were poised to earn a finals double chance, but instead had to settle for fourth as Glenelg fell a game short of finals.

Another pertinent fixture saw West Adelaide snatch second spot by upsetting minor premier Sturt to the tune of 25 points at Thomas Farms Oval. The Bloods started brightly with the first four goals of the game and led at every break en route to securing a sixth win in their last seven outings.

The result sets up a qualifying final rematch with Sturt, with the winner of that match set to advance to this season’s decider. Lachlan Mintoff starred with half of Westies’ 10 goals, while potential top 10 draft prospect Mitchell Marsh booted three goals from 20 disposals and 11 marks (five contested).

Sturt defender Jett Dahlitz accumulated 42 disposals and 16 marks, while midfield pair Louis Kellaway (24 disposals, 10 tackles) and Noah Roberts-Thomson (24 disposals, seven marks) were reliable as ever. Under 16 All-Australian Taj Garrett also made a successful debut with 18 touches and a goal.

Elsewhere, North Adelaide ended its season on a high after defeating cellar dweller Norwood by 55 points at The Parade. The Roosters piled on 15 scoring shots to five in the opening half to mount a strong 30-point led. They went on to lead at every break and salute 12.16 (88) to 4.8 (32) on the road.

The likes of Ryan Paul (25 disposals, one goal), Joshua Casey (23 and one), and Wil Brown (20 and three) found plenty of the ball while hitting the scoreboard. Bottom-age ruck Ethan Herbert was also prominent with 21 touches, eight marks, six clearances and a goal in the victory.

As he has been for much of the season, Norwood skipper Darcy Speyer was instrumental for his side with 31 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances and 1.2. Ruckman James van Wyk also imposed himself to collect 23 disposals, 29 hitouts and eight clearances.

>> MORE: SANFL reveals Under 17 Futures squad

ROUND 18 RESULTS

Sturt 6.8 (44) def. by West Adelaide 10.9 (69)
Central District 22.14 (146) def. Glenelg 0.6 (6)
Woodville-West Torrens 6.7 (43) def. by South Adelaide 7.13 (55)
Norwood 4.8 (32) def. by North Adelaide 12.16 (88)

SANFL U18s LADDER

1. Sturt | 13-4-1 | 27 points | 57.2%
2. West Adelaide | 10-7-1 | 21 points | 51.8%
3. Central District | 10-8 | 20 points | 59.5%
4. Woodville-West Torrens | 10-8 | 20 points | 52.1%
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5. Glenelg | 9-9 | 18 points | 46.0%
6. South Adelaide | 7-11 | 14 points | 51.7%
7. North Adelaide | 7-11 | 14 points | 44.3%
8. Norwood | 5-13 | 10 points | 38.1%

WEEK ONE FINALS

Qualifying Final: Sturt (1st) vs. West Adelaide (2nd)
Elimination Final: Central District (3rd) vs. Woodville-West Torrens (4th)

Dates & venues to be confirmed.