SOME of South Australia’s (SA) young talents filtered back into South Australian National Football League (SANFL) games last week, with majority of SA’s U18 and U16 squad still away on National Championship duties.

School footy continues to be on break, so most clubs over the coming weeks will be able to get their best sides on the park, so SANFL club results will be interesting to watch. Jamie Morgan, Tom Wyman and Damon Mattiazzo all took a look at what is making news in South Australia.

League:

Port Adelaide 14.15 (99) defeated West Adelaide 3.4 (22)

Port Adelaide cemented their spot in the top five of the SANFL with an elementary victory over strugglers West Adelaide. The Magpies were in complete control of the contest with West Adelaide unable to cause any threat to the side that only featured one non-AFL listed player in their line-up. Billy Frampton was superb for Port with a dominant display comprising 25 disposals, nine marks and four goals. Former Lion Sam Mayes produced his best performance of the season so far with 28 disposals, seven marks and seven clearances, as Willem Drew and Kane Farrell were also busy with 23 touches each. Matthew Broadbent and Jarrod Lienert controlled the play from the wings with 25 and 24 disposals respectively. Highlight of the game came from Port Adelaide NGA player Martin Frederick who kicked the potential goal of the year with an amazing coast-to-coast goal from inside Port’s defensive 50. For West, former Hawthorn player Dallas Willsmore‘s efforts were left unrewarded in a tireless display accumulating 34 disposals, Chris Schmidt (31 disposals and five marks) and Kaine Stevens (30 disposals and six clearances) were also noteworthy.

South Adelaide 9.8 (62) defeated Sturt 15.8 (98)

The Double Blues grabbed the premiership points away from home at Flinders University Stadium, defeating the Panthers by 36 points. Josh Patullo kicked three majors for the victors and was aided in front of goal thanks to two goals each by mainstays Mark Evans and Josh Hone, Jack Penfold and veteran on-baller Aidan Riley. Consistent duo James Battersby (30 disposals, six marks, three tackles and eight clearances) and Sam Colquhoun (28 disposals, five marks, nine tackles and five clearances) helped their side win the midfield battle. Emmanuel Irra was the only multiple goalkicker for South Adelaide, booting two majors, with Abe Davis (brother of recent-Adelaide debutant Ben) again prolific with 33 disposals. Joseph Haines and Nick Liddle were prolific, recording 31 and 27 touches respectively, with the former also registering an impressive 10 marks and a game-high 14 rebounds.

Norwood 6.15 (51) defeated by Adelaide 13.10 (88)

Adelaide’s strong form in the SANFL continued with a dominant 37-point victory over Norwood. While the game was close in the first half, an eight goals to two second half – including a four goals to zero last quarter – saw the Crows run away with the contest. Adelaide listed players Patrick Wilson (28 disposals, six clearances, three tackles, nine marks and two goals) and Bryce Gibbs (22 disposals, 10 clearances, two marks and three tackles) impressed, as did Riley Knight who booted two goals from 22 disposals. For Norwood, Lewis Johnston continued his great form with 31 disposals, 10 marks, six tackles, two clearances and two goals, while Mitch Grigg and Matthew Nunn both had 26 touches, as well as a combined 17 marks, 14 tackles and 11 clearances in the loss.

Eagles 11.9 (75) defeated by Glenelg 14.6 (90)

This was a tough hitout from two in-form teams with Glenelg holding on by 15 points. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead with Luke Partington clearly best for the Tigers all day. Partington finished with 43 disposals, eight marks, eight clearances, and two goals. The Eagles steadied once again on the back of small forward James Rowe booting two goals in the second quarter who finished the game with four majors, but Glenelg forwards Brad Close (20 disposals, two goals) and Tom Schott (three goals) were key contributors in the win. The Eagles had their chances after being level at three quarter time and were led well by experienced Chris Hall (30 disposals, seven marks) but fell short.

Central District 11.13 (79) defeated by North Adelaide 17.5 (107)

Roosters players and supporters can finally put the nineteenth man saga behind them after securing their second win finally had them out of negative premiership points zone. Aidan Tropiano led the way for the Roosters with 39 disposals and seven clearances, while young forward Frank Szekely finished with four goals and earned a Breakthrough Player Nomination. Consistent performers Travis and Jarrod Schiller had a heap of the footy with 42 and 30 possessions apiece for the Bulldogs.

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Reserves

Norwood 10.12 (72) defeated West Adelaide 4.7 (31)

Norwood were able to consolidate second spot on the ladder with a comfortable victory against third placed West Adelaide. Norwood were led by Connor Bristow who was dominant with 29 disposals that included 15 marks and a goal, Bristow was joined by dropped seniors Cody Szust and Christopher Olsson who had 28 and 26 disposals respectively. Brodie Carroll had 19 disposals returning from his stint in the senior side, as former State Academy players Tyler Martin (20 disposals) and Jacob Collins (16 disposals) were also influential. For West, James Bentley had a prolific game with 31 disposals and 1.4 for goal, Connor Fairlie (26 disposals), Lyndon Hupfield (24 disposals and 10 marks) and Aaron Anderson were other standouts.

South Adelaide 9.5 (59) defeated Sturt 7.14 (56)

South Adelaide prevailed by just three points in a nailbitting curtain raiser with Sturt. Returning from State Under-18 duties, Panther Darnell Tucker impressed with two goals from his 12 disposals, however it was his defensive pressure (10 tackles) which really stood out. Luke Bogle was crucial in his sides triumph, winning 31 disposals and getting the ball going his sides way with 11 clearances. For Sturt, Casey Voss was solid in what was a well-rounded statistical outing, collecting 25 disposals, six marks, five tackles, six clearances and seven inside-50s. Perhaps unlucky not to be given a chance in the SA Under-18 side, Anzac Lochowiak was effective again, collecting 23 disposals and laying 11 tackles. Fellow State Academy member Oliver Grivell booted 1.2 from. his 13 disposals. He took two contested marks (five in total) and, crucially, contributed to his sides defensive pressure by connecting with five tackles. Edward Allan was the most prolific player on the ground, amassing 33 disposals, six marks, six tackles and six clearances.

WWT Eagles 9.4 (58) defeated by Glenelg 10.13 (73)

The Eagles have had an inconsistent few weeks, while Glenelg has been improving with the Tigers securing a 15 point win. With some players recovering from injuries, the Tigers look a bit more settled and on the back of strong performances from Tom Feely (28 disposals seven marks,) and Ben Sawford (25 disposals and 10 clearances) the Tigers held on. Young talent Declan Carmody was good with two goals and Finn Betterman was also amongst the best. Eagles struggled to play consistent football and defender/mid Jake Westbrook and Sam Rowland were best for the Eagles.

Central District 17.12 (114) defeated North Adelaide 4.8 (32)

Centrals did a demolition job on the Roosters by 82 points. Darcy Pisani look set for a League call up after a 42-possession, one-goal game and Connor McLean finished with four goals. Max Lower battled for the Roosters to finish with 34 disposals, and youngster Jackson Antrobus (son of Tony) finished with one goal for the losing side.

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Under 18s:

Norwood 15.8 (98) defeated West Adelaide 7.4 (46)

West Adelaide easily dispatched a disappointing Redlegs side with a 52 point victory at the City Mazda Oval. Beau Nunan was the star of the game with a performance headlined with six goals for the Bloods, Joel Groom was top ball winner for his side with 27 touches. Eduard Van Den Berg was also fundamental to West’s win, as the Blood’s Riley Thilthorpe kicked three goals from eight contested marks. For Norwood, Henry Nelligan continued his prolific form with 27 disposals, nine clearances and a goal with Mitchell Carroll also impressing with 26 touches and seven marks.

South Adelaide 8.9 (57) defeated Sturt 7.12 (54)

South Adelaide snatched victory from Sturt by three points in a come-from-behind victory down south. The Panthers were led by Sacred Heart duo Marcus Lippett (26 disposals, six marks, six tackles and three inside 50s) – who was strong in the air with three contested grabs – and bottom-aged state representative Zac Dumesny (23 disposals, seven marks, seven tackles and eight clearances). Consistent medium forward Mitch Riddle booted two goals to sit equal-fourth in the under-18 goalkicking standings. Ruckman/tall forward Ben Ryan and Tyler Oliver also contributed two goals, with Nicholas Kraemer‘s 10 tackles also of note. Sturt dominated in the ruck, thanks to 32 hit-outs from Sam Zevenboom and 25 from Amos Doyle. Midfielder Tully Kennett was instrumental in-tight, collecting 36 disposals (including 26 handballs), 12 tackles and winning 14 clearances. Declan Fahey (33 disposals, four marks, 10 tackles and nine clearances) and Charlie Allen (32 touches, five marks, 11 tackles and six clearances) were also especially busy, with Aiden Holland and Angus Kitto Sturt’s multiple goal kickers with two apiece.