Round 1 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Super Saturday

North Adelaide spoiled the unfurling of Woodville-West Torrens’ premiership flag with an upset 22-point win at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Led by a six-goal haul from premiership forward Keenan Ramsey, the new-look Roosters shocked the reigning premier as seasoned veterans Aaron Young (33 disposals), Harrison Wigg (29 disposals) and captain Alex Spina imposed themselves on the contest.

Leading at every change, the visitors stretched their advantage to as much as 43 points when Ramsey kicked truly midway through the third quarter before the Eagles’ trimmed it to 20 midway through the fourth term.

Classy finisher Daniel Menzel kept the Eagles in the contest with his six pack of goals, his fifth coming after an intelligent knock on from Mitch Hardie created a goal for Dane McFarlane in the clip below.

Essendon recruit Dylan Clarke picked up 24 touches in his SANFL League debut while former Bombers teammate Kobe Mutch had 27 and Riley Knight 25 for the Eagles.

Important backmen Mitch Duval (Eagles) and Cameron Craig (North) were both forced from the ground after copping heavy knocks but encouragingly, were able to return later in the contest.

South Adelaide held its nerve to record a hard-fought five-point win against Central District at Flinders University Stadium. 

With both coaches unable to attend the match due to Covid Health and Safety Protocols, it was the Panthers who appeared more settled amid the unusual circumstances as the jumped out to a game-high 36-point lead last in the second term.

Forward line recruits Jye Menzie (four goals) and Ryan Garthwaite (three goals) impressed in their Hostplus SANFL League debuts for South but the Bulldogs scratched their way back into the game with a four-goal third quarter.

Travis Schiller (29 disposals), Kyle Presbury (23 disposals) and speedy Chris Ollson (21 disposals and two goals) gave the visitors every chance when bustling ruckman Billy McCormack goaled to give the Dogs a two-point lead 23 minutes into the last term.

But after second-game Panther Nic Kraemer dribbled a goal along the ground two minutes later, it would be enough to see the hosts home in their first outing at Noarlunga.

Mitch O’Neil racked up 34 disposals, seven clearances and a goal for South while defender Joe Haines had 30 possessions as Bryce Gibbs filled his stats sheet with 27 disposals, 10 tackles and 14 clearances.

Glenelg scratched out a 15-point win against a wasteful Norwood at ACH Group Stadium.

Fortunate the Redlegs were particularly inaccurate in front of goal during the first half, the Tigers managed to hold on to the premiership points after conceding the final three goals of the game.

Glenelg’s efficiency was a highlight considering it had 26 fewer disposals, 17 fewer clearances, one less inside 50m entry and the same amount of scoring shots as the visitors.

The hosts’ spread the workload nicely among Brett Turner (24 disposals), Luke Partington and Billy Stretch (21 disposals), together with Matt Allen, Darcy Bailey, Corey Lyons and Jonty Scharenberg, who all had 20 possessions.

Defenders Andrew Bradley and Sam Durdin were influential while first-game forwards Hugh Stagg and Riley Holder had their moments on debut as they each kicked a goal.

Norwood’s Declan Hamilton continually tried to break lines with his run and carry to rack up 34 disposals while Nik Rokahr hit the scoreboard with two goals to go with his 27 touches.

Harry Boyd was a strong influence in the ruck for the Legs with 19 disposals, six marks and eight clearances while Ben Jarvis booted three goals in his return from AFL club Geelong.

Sturt surged away from West Adelaide late in the contest to record a 43-point win at Hisense Stadium.

Setting up victory with a 6.2 to 1.1 first quarter, the Double Blues slowly had their advantage eroded as the Bloods – sporting their Magenta heritage guernsey – worked their way into the game.

Key forward Hamish Ellem and Glenelg recruit Jackson Edwards booted the first two goals of the fourth quarter to trim the margin to just 16 points three minutes after the final change.

But the poised Double Blues were able to steady by kicking the final four majors of the match, including one to debutant Nick Sadler which prompted every Sturt player on the ground to celebrate with the wingman.

2021 P. T Morton Medallist Casey Voss continued where he left off last season by racking up 32 disposals and a staggering 17 marks while Pat Wilson made a welcome return after missing last season with a shoulder injury to record 25 possessions and a goal.

Sturt captain James Battersby – unusually sporting the No.8 guernsey – tallied 26 disposals and nine clearances while Josh Hone – also wearing a new jumper in No.41 – was his buoyant self with 15 disposals, five marks and a goal.

West coach Brad Gotch would have been encouraged by his side’s ability to remain in the contest for such a long period as Lachie Squire impressed by booting the host’s first three goals of the game.

Squire also chalked up 22 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances while teammate Jordon Boyle had 22 possessions and 10 marks.

Swans recruit Kaiden Brand, having returned to Richmond in the off-season, proved that he will be a valuable addition by patrolling the backline to take seven marks with his 17 disposals.