Round 8 Torrens University SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens announced itself as a genuine contender in the Torrens University SANFL U18s with a hard-fought 15-point win against Central District at X Convenience Oval.

The Eagles’ fifth win of the season ensured it would draw level with the top-placed Bulldogs with 10 premiership points, now sitting in second spot just 0.4 per cent behind the ladder-leaders.

Trailing by five points at half-time, the visitors booted 5.6 to the Bulldogs’ 2.4 to finish as the stronger outfit, powered by a trio of influential midfielders.

Eagles Darcy Hudson (26 disposals), Brody Mair (24 disposals, one goal) and Archer Charles (29 disposals, one goal) all had a huge say in the result.

Central officials rated the performances of Mitch McDonald (19 disposals), Jayden Matz (23 disposals) and Jonah Pyman (18 disposals) highly.

Norwood’s William Rowlands and Jacob Jones were on a mission as they led their side to a comfortable 30-point victory against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Making their move in the second term with 5.2 to the Bloods’ 1.2, the Redlegs were always going to be tough to beat with Rowlands and Jones in a ruthless mood.

Rowlands finished with an impressive stat line of 30 disposals, eight marks, five clearances and five goals while Jones was the leading disposal-winner on the field with 36, to go with nine tackles and seven clearances. Brayden Rachwal kicked three goals for the visitors.

West battled to stem the tide in the second half, thanks largely to the efforts of Padrick O’Donoghue (21 disposals), Sam Burbridge (26 disposals, two goals) and Bailey White.

A late goal from North Adelaide’s Harrison Dallimore proved the difference in his team’s nail-biting six-point win against Glenelg at Prospect Oval.

With scores tied after Tiger Kaidyn Weber booted a behind in the 24th minute of the fourth quarter, it was Dallimore who stepped up with the match-winner less than 60 seconds later.

Dallimore, who finished with 26 disposals, four marks and his crucial major, was high among North’s best players along with Tom Stevens (21 disposals, nine tackles) and Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (31 disposals, nine clearances).

Responding in positive fashion to a heavy defeat in Round 7, the Bays had Angus Clarke (29 disposals), captain Ryan Wurfel (21 disposals, one goal) and Bowen Payne (29 disposals, one goal) fly the black and gold flag.

South Adelaide turned the tables in the second half to register a stirring 15-point win against Sturt at Flinders University Stadium.

Coming off a powerful performance in Round 7, the Panthers were surprisingly sluggish early before putting the foot down after half-time to boot 6.6 to the Double Blues’ 2.2.

South’s Dakota Sterzl (25 disposals, two goals), Ayden Duke (17 disposals) and Noah Howes (16 disposals, three goals) were instrumental in landing the premiership points for the hosts.

The Double Blues had Lachlan Bosence lead the way with 24 disposals while Kobee Dabinett (18 disposals) and Noah Prenzler (three goals) also battled valiantly.