First Nations Round Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Yartapuulti absorbed everything West Adelaide could throw at it to hold on for a gutsy First Nations Round 10-point win at Alberton Oval.

A second term charge by the Bloods saw the visitors lead by as much as 13 points nearing time-on but whenever the Magpies were challenged, they responded in impressive fashion.

After levelling the scores at the main change, Tyson Goldsack’s men led by three goals when Hugh Jackson kicked truly from close range.

A sensational intercept and finish from 50m by rebounding West defender Callum Park  sparked another revival from his side as the deficit closed to just two points on the back of three goals in succession.

But when former Bloods forward Tom Scully was handed a 25m penalty after copping a late knock from Hamish Ellem after a mark, he pushed Yartapuulti’s lead back out to eight points.

West came again with some good work through corridor, resulting in Josh Gore marking in front one-on-one before nailing his set shot 20m in front.

But classy former Geelong forward Francis Evans made the most of his free kick for holding on in front from 25m before development player Hugh Ferrari crumbed nicely and burst through into open goal to kick the sealer entering time-on.

Yartapuulti had several contributors throughout the afternoon to spread the load as Francis Evans (23 disposals, five tackles and a goal) and Jackson Mead (22 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal) led the charge.

Josh Sinn responded positively to his demotion with 19 disposals while Xavier Duursma made an encouraging return from injury to kick two goals from his 17 disposals and six marks.

Nick Moore made a welcome return from suspension to boot three goals for Yartapuulti, together with 17 disposals and 10 tackles.

West’s Callum Park was his clean self with 27 disposals and his eye-catching major from 50m while Michael Mattingly worked hard for 26 disposals, 12 tackles and six clearances.

The Bloods lost ruckman Dylan Bramich to what appeared a shoulder injury which didn’t help matters as Kobe Ryan (22 disposals and a goal from the centre square) and Mitchell Maguire (21 disposals) also battled hard.

South Adelaide kept its season alive with an 18-point win against Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

In desperate need of a victory after winning just one of their past eight matches, the Panthers played with the intent and spirit of a side needing to keep in touch with the top five.

And the visitors did exactly that as they banked the premiership points, now suddenly just one win behind fourth placed Central District, who tackle Glenelg to continue First Nations Round tomorrow.

Despite having four less inside 50s for the match, the visitors built their triumph off the back of solid second and third quarters as they led by 27 points at the final change.

They only managed three behinds in the fourth term but the damage had already been done as the sluggish Eagles kicked just one goal – to Max Beattie in the 18th minute – after three quarter-time.

If South was guilty of anything it was overusing the footy as they had 39 more kicks and 19 more handballs than the hosts while also taking 21 more marks.

Former Crows SANFL midfielder Oliver Davis continued his hot form to rack up 29 disposals and seven tackles for South while Mitch O’Neill continued his consistency with 25 possessions.

Clever utility Darnell Tucker revelled in First Nations Round to rack up 24 disposals and 10 marks in arguably his best game of League football for the Panthers while Kobe Mutch had 22 disposals against his former club.

Emerging South key forward Ben Shillabeer kicked three goals, one of which was a classy effort off the ground while being held by his arm.

Rebounding Eagles defender Luke Beecken provided plenty of resistence with his 28 possessions while James Rowe nailed his two set shot goals to go with 21 disposals and eight tackles.

Beattie, who has been an exceptionally consistent recruit from Wodonga, booted three goals from his 18 disposals and six marks for the hosts.