STURT stamped its SANFL Under 18s finals ticket in Round 18 with a 28-point win over fellow finals-bound side, North Adelaide, making for our featured match this week. The Double Blues lead at every break, and their superior finishing in front of goal made things comfortable in the 14.6 (90) to 8.14 (62) result. We highlighted some of the top performers from either side.

 >> Around the Grounds: SANFL U18s Round 18 wrap

NORTH ADELAIDE: 

#7 Kane McAuliffe 

McAuliffe was impressive at stoppage all day, using his strength and size on the inside to win the contested ball. His use by foot was wayward at times but he continued to put the defence under pressure with his long kicks inside 50. His best play of the day came from a stoppage at half-forward. McAuliffe broke through the contest and stormed inside 50, slotting the goal from about 40m out.  

#12 Oliver Dignan 

Dignan demonstrated his flexibility as a forward, offering a target inside 50, whilst also showing his ability to present up the ground as a leading option. He proved a difficult match-up in the marking contest, hauling in a game-high five contested grabs. Unfortunately Dignan was unable to have the scoreboard impact he would’ve liked, finishing with one goal and three behinds, with his misses coming from very kickable opportunities directly in front of goal.  

#13 Jed Dignan 

Dignan, of the Jed variety, was one of the best-on-ground for his side as the equal-leading possession winner afield. He found plenty of the ball around the ground and was particularly clean with his disposal. On more than one occasion he found his brother by foot, with the two boys sharing a fair bit of chemistry on the field. Jed was able to push forward and hit the scoreboard in the first half, but like his brother, let a few chances go begging in front of goal. Accuracy in front of goal aside, Dignan put in a solid four quarter performance for the Roosters.  

#21 James White 

The North Adelaide skipper was relentless defensively. He tackled strongly and applied plenty of pressure around the contest all day. Despite having his equal-fewest disposals for the season, his defensive work still allowed him to have an impact on the game. His long goal from outside 50 mid-way through the final term gave the Roosters a sniff, though inaccuracy in front of the big sticks prevented them from sustaining that momentum.  

#23 Hughen Wissman 

Wissman continues to be one of the most versatile players in the SANFL U18 competition. His work on the inside, both offensively and defensively, was solid throughout as he laid a team-high eight tackles. It was his ability to separate from stoppage and link up offensively that made him most dangerous. Wissman involved himself in many of North Adelaide’s ventures into the forward half and his ball use by foot was a level above.  

STURT:

#2 Kobe McEntee 

McEntee was relentless in the contest all day. Despite his smaller frame, he was one of the hardest inside the contest, laying a game-high nine tackles and winning four clearances. His willingness to chase and compete for four quarters was crucial for his side, particularly when North started to arrest momentum. 

#13 Declan Gladigau 

It was an incredibly impressive performance from Gladigau, who produced a number of goal-saving defensive efforts. His ability to stick tackles in key parts of the ground, denied the opposition at least three goals at critical times of the game. Gladigau delivered an impressive highlight early in the final term. After taking an intercept mark at half back and switching the play to the outer side, the Sturt winger pushed hard forward, where Luca Slade found him inside 50. Gladigau calmly slotted the goal from 25m out on the run, to cap off a really strong performance.  

#24 Luca Slade 

Slade was brilliant in the first half. North struggled to contain him at stoppage and he opened his side’s account with a great goal from the boundary in the first term. His second goal came five minutes into the second quarter. After another stoppage win, Slade composed himself and goaled beautifully on the run. It was a very classy goal from a classy player. Slade was quiet in the second half, with North putting more effort into slowing him at stoppage. Despite not finding the ball as cleanly with the added attention, he was still able to demonstrate his match and game awareness with some deft touches to find teammates in open space.  

#37 Chad Reschke 

While North struggled to convert their opportunities at one end, the SANFL U18 leading goalkicker had no such issues at the other end. Reschke looked dangerous whenever the ball was in his vicinity. His ability to lead up to the football or push back towards the goal square, kept his opponent guessing all day and his perfect conversion rate ensured he got due reward for his efforts. His two goals late in the final term broke the Roosters back after they dominated field position for the majority of the quarter.  

#40 George Pope 

Pope was another of the Sturt midfielders who competed well on the inside. His balanced offensive and defensive output was well-illustrated by the numbers, as he finished with six clearances and eight tackles. With Sturt’s prime-mover Luca Slade getting plenty of attention from the opposition, Pope carried a big load in the second half and worked relentlessly despite the pressure coming from North Adelaide.  

#48 Finn Wakelin 

Wakelin operated as the second ruck for the Double-Blues but did some of his best work in the forward half. The Sturt big man converted two tough set shots on goal. The first came on the stroke of half time. Wakelin took a strong mark and calmly slotted the major from the boundary line, about 25m out. His second came from another set shot just inside 50.  

#54 Fraser Greaves 

Greaves got the best of the ruck battle and was particularly influential early, getting his hand first to the football and creating plenty of opportunities for his on-ballers at stoppage. Greaves had some nice moments around the ground, taking a couple of intercept marks and using the ball effectively by foot.