THE AVERAGE winning margin across four SANFL Under 18 fixtures in Round 8 was 51 points, marking a one-sided weekend of football. Glenelg’s 26-point victory over West Adelaide was the tightest, while South Adelaide saluted to the tune of a round-high 71 points against Woodville-West Torrens.

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The Bays kicked clear with five goals to one in the opening quarter, before adding another six to one at the same end of Hisense Stadium in term three. Their buffer was consolidated in a dour final term to run out 12.5 (77) to 7.9 (51) victors on the road, good enough to sit pretty among the finals spots in third.

Kobe Gibson (32 disposals, 10 marks, two goals) was named best afield for the Bays, while Isaiah Clothier (38 disposals) and Harvey Croker (37) also had little trouble finding the footy. Glenelg had 11 individual goalkickers and five players with over 10 marks to boast a 141-62 advantage overall.

Lucas White was the standout for West Adelaide, racking up 32 disposals, nine marks and two goals in a losing effort. Archie Walsh (21 disposals, nine marks) and William Thomas (18 disposals, nine clearances) were also named among the Bloods’ best, as they remain planted to seventh place.

At the other end of the ladder, Sturt continues to solidify its standing as the runaway leader after a 44-point win over North Adelaide. The Double Blues finished with a full head of steam, booting five goals to one in the final quarter to kick away to the 12.13 (85) to 6.5 (41) victory at Prospect Oval.

Jackson Moody had a day out, posting 32 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances and a goal for Sturt. He and Harrison Baker (seven clearances) helped set up a 45-27 clearance advantage, which in turn led to a sizable gap in the inside 50 count (55-29). Ivan Wilkinson cashed in with 3.3 up forward.

Charlie Dickeson was the Roosters’ only real form of resistance around the ball, accumulating 30 disposals (27 kicks) and 10 clearances. Joshua Casey was the next best with 20 touches. Alexander Jankovic also stood tall with a game-high four goals, while Mason Klenner won 43 hitouts in the ruck.

Boosted by an influx of bottom-age state squad members, South Adelaide trounced an undermanned Woodville-West Torrens to notch its second win of the season. The Panthers were clinical and dominant from the outset, booting five goals in each of the first three quarters to win 17.9 (111) to 6.4 (40).

Archie Van dyk led all comers with 30 disposals, followed closely by 2008-born prospects Kodah Edwards (26 disposals, three goals) and Cain Florance (24 and four). On top of their efforts, Harry Wadewitz earned plaudits for his 14 disposals and two goals in the win.

Eagle Lachlan Sands was amongst the action with 18 disposals and a goal, while Jensen Frantz (19 disposals, 12 marks) held firm to also be named in Woodville-West Torrens’ bests. South remains bottom of the pile at 2-5, three games adrift from the reigning premiers who slid from second to fourth.

Central District replaced the Eagles in second after a 63-point win over Norwood at X Convenience Oval. Despite missing more key personnel to the state squad than any other side, the Bulldogs led at each break and poured on nine goals to two after half time to salute 14.15 (99) to 5.6 (36).

Centrals spearhead Dusty Geister booted four goals from 23 touches and nine marks, claiming best afield honours ahead of bottom-ager Jack Gordon (27 disposals). Kaleb White was also prominent in the win with two goals from 17 disposals, while Charlie Moss bagged three majors.

It was no surprise to see Darcy Speyer lead the charge for Norwood with 34 disposals, eight marks, nine tackles and two goals. Summer state squad member Will Prescott notched up 24 touches, seven tackles and a goal, while James van Wyk (35 hitouts, seven clearances) made his presence felt in the ruck.

ROUND 8 RESULTS

West Adelaide 7.9 (51) def. by Glenelg 12.5 (77)
North Adelaide 6.5 (41) def. by Sturt 12.13 (85)
South Adelaide 17.9 (111) def. Woodville-West Torrens 6.4 (40)
Central District 14.15 (99) def. Norwood 5.6 (36)

SANFL U18s LADDER

1. Sturt | 6-1-1 | 58.4%
2. Central District | 5-3 | 56.7%
3. Glenelg | 5-3 | 51.6%
4. Woodville-West Torrens | 5-3 | 49.4%
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5. North Adelaide | 3-5 | 46.4%
6. Norwood | 3-5 | 43.4%
7. West Adelaide | 2-5-1 | 43.7%
8. South Adelaide | 2-6 | 50.33%

ROUND 9 FIXTURES

Glenelg vs. South Adelaide
Saturday May 31, 11:00am @ Stratarama Stadium

Sturt vs. Central District
Saturday May 31, 12:20pm @ Thomas Farms Oval

Norwood vs. West Adelaide
Saturday May 31, 1:50pm @ Coopers Stadium

North Adelaide vs. Woodville-West Torrens
Sunday June 1, 1:20pm @ Prospect Oval