WEST Adelaide has survived an almighty scare from the winless North Adelaide in the AAMI Talent League Under 18 Girls competition, only kicking the winner in the dying minutes of the match. In what had been a neck-and-neck contest all game, it took until Scarlett Blethyn fourth quarter major to break the deadlock and had the Bloods their second win of the season.

Trailing by five points at the first break due to only kicking one behind to the Roosters’ single major, the Bloods managed to level the scores through the second and third terms as Madisan Nelson kicked goals either side of a Charlotte Beard six-pointer. That Beard major two minutes into the second half proved to be North Adelaide’s last goal of the day, and at that point, they lead by six points.

While Nelson’s second major put the Bloods up by two points, a couple of misses late in the premiership quarter to the Roosters had North draw level. The Roosters continued to pepper the goals in the final term with three behinds helping North edge out to a lead by that margin. Just when it looked like the side would get to sing the song for the first time, Blethyn played the role of party pooper, breaking more than a 25-minute scoring drought for the Bloods to kick the winner.

The 3.4 (22) to 2.7 (19) victory saw West Adelaide leapfrog Glenelg into sixth spot, and incredibly remain just one win outside the top four heading into the last two regular season games. Unlike last season, the top four make a knockout semi-finals series which will take place on Anzac Day weekend. The Bloods will need to win their last two games – against Central District on Thursday and then Glenelg on April 18 – to make it, but are not out of the race just yet.

Zara Downes continues to be a clearance jet for the Bloods, racking up nine extractions to go with a game-high 25 disposals, as well as four marks and five tackles. Mary Rose Bahls Kildea had 20 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s, working well out of the back half with Sienna Aldridge (18 disposals, five marks, three tackles and five rebound 50s). Nelson’s two goals came from six disposals, while Blethyn had 10 touches, three marks and three hitouts in the win.

For North Adelaide, talented Rooster Iris Newman looked the goods with 20 disposals, four marks, five clearances and three inside 50s, while Chloe Spanagel‘s solid season continued. Keira Copeland had 28 hitouts and six clearances from 15 disposals and three marks through the ruck, while Under 16s All-Australian Isabella Beaumont and League experienced Nevaeh Ebert were also amongst the more prolific players in the tight loss.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

A four-goal fourth quarter performance up forward from Molly Jenkins helped steer South Adelaide to a comfortable 23-point win over Glenelg, snapping the Bays’ good recent form. Glenelg came into the game having won back-to-back matches after an 0-2 start to the season, but it was the Panthers who made it three on the trot after Jenkins’ heroics.

Granted the Panthers were already 11 points up by the final break, and 17 when Jenkins kicked her first in the opening 80 seconds of the last quarter. Glenelg responded, but Jenkins produced the best quarter in the AAMI Talent League this season, with four majors in 12 minutes to give the Panthers plenty of reasons to celebrate. She booted the majors from just nine touches and four majors, while ball-winning midfielder Madison Brown (24 disposals, eight tackles and eight clearances) was prolific again. Maya Vonarx (19 disposals, two marks, eight tackles, nine clearances, five inside 50s and two rebound 50s) was the best for the Bays.

Woodville-West Torrens handed Central District a third straight loss, coming up trumps by 13 points at X Convenience Oval. The Eagles won 6.8 (44) to 4.7 (31) with two last quarter goals separating the sides after the visitors lead by a single point at the last change.

Asha Gooley (19 disposals, six marks, four inside 50s and 1.3) was strong, while Northern Territory bottom-ager Kayla Ilett kicked two goals from 16 touches. Sienna Antony (22 disposals, five marks – one contested – three tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s) and Indianna Nelson (20 disposals, four marks, two tackles, 19 hitouts, three clearances, two inside 50s and four rebound 50s).

Meanwhile in the earlier game at Richmond Oval prior to the West-North clash, Norwood secured a 21-point victory over Sturt. The Redlegs came from behind at half-time to kick 4.2 to 0.2 in the second half and run out 5.6 (36) to 2.3 (15) victors.

Mia Wood (28 disposals, three marks, 11 tackles, seven clearances, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s) and Kaianne Colbung-Ware (24 disposals, two marks, four tackles, eight clearances, five inside 50s and a goal) both had days out in the win. For Sturt, both Duthy‘s were impressive as Mia (21 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s) and Emily (18 disposals, nine tackles and three clearances) did their best for the Double Blues.