Round 15 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Sunday

Glenelg was powered by a Max Proud masterclass as it cruised to a 30-point win against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

Maintaining top spot on the Hostplus SANFL League ladder, the Tigers spoiled the red and white party as the Roosters unveiled the Bob Hammond Mound whilst honouring the 100th match of Magarey Medallist Aaron Young.

Leading at every change, the Bays were efficient with ball in hand as they racked up 10 more inside 50 entries while having seven fewer disposals for the afternoon.

Glenelg skipper Proud controlled the air as he snared a massive haul of 16 marks to go with his 26 disposals while midfielders Brett Turner (25 disposals), Luke Partington (24 disposals), Matt Allen (22 disposals) and Matt Snook (21 disposals) formed a formidable centre square combination.

Sydney Swans recruit James Bell also spent more time up the ground to impress with 21 disposals, five clearances and a goal while Billy Stretch made a welcome return from a week’s rest to collect 17 touches and two goals, nailing his first within 30 seconds of coming on to the field.

Luke Reynolds and Lachie Hosie booted three goals each for the visitors while Liam McBean’s sole major was an impressive solo effort out of the ruck in the final term.

Smooth-moving North pair Frank Szekely (30 disposals) and Jack McCann (25 disposals) used the ball well by foot while Campbell Combe showed he had recovered well from concussion to tally 23 disposals, 10 tackles and five clearances.

The loss was costly for the Roosters given fellow top-five contenders Central District and Port Adelaide also lost in Round 15.

Norwood survived a late scare to lift itself off the bottom of the table with a five-point victory against Central District at The Parade.

Seemingly cruising after co-captain Matt Nunn pushed the lead out to 17 points with a behind in the 26th minute, the Redlegs suddenly found themselves leading by less than a goal after consecutive goals to the Bulldogs.

Dogs forward Aidan Grace nailed his set shot from 35m to cut the deficit to 11 points before clever goalsneak Isaiah Dudley kicked his 45m set shot nearing the 28-minute mark.

But the hosts managed to hold for just their fourth win of the 2023 season, denying Central the valuable premiership points given both final-five contenders North Adelaide and Port Adelaide also suffered losses in Round 15.

Norwood had 17 more inside 50s and five more scoring shots as premiership rover Nik Rokahr extended his outstanding form with 31 disposals, nine clearances and 12 tackles.

Midfielders Matt Ling (23 disposals) and Matt Nunn (19 disposals) also had a positive influence, as did inform defender Pierce Seymour, who cut off many Central forays with his 18 disposals and eight marks.

Former Bulldog Connor Mclean enjoyed a day out against his old teammates by booting four goals for the Legs.

Central rover Harry Grant seemed to relish his battle with Rokahr while registering 32 disposals, nine clearances and five tackles while Billy Iles and Lewis Cowham each racked up 19 disposals.

Mani Liddy (18 disposals) kicked an eye-catching follow-up goal after his initial handball while fellow Bulldogs Grace and captain Jarrod Schiller kicked two goals each.

South Adelaide prevailed by 22 points over West Adelaide in a dour tackle-fest at Flinders University Stadium. 

An amazing 215 tackles were laid by both teams for the match as they each hit triple figures, the Panthers winning the nod defensively and on the scoreboard to record their fifth win of the year.

Finishing with 114 tackles while leading at each change, South was unable to make the most of veteran ruckman Keegan Brooksby’s dominance in the ruck as he tallied an astonishing 59 hit outs compared to the Bloods’ team tally of 12.

West recorded three more clearances and just one less inside 50 but were unable to match South in finding the footy as it had 72 fewer disposals for the afternoon.

South midfielders Oliver Davis (29 disposals, 14 tackles) and Mitch O’Neill (25 disposals, six tackles) kept their consistent seasons rolling while the other man sure to be contending with them for the 2023 Knuckey Cup, Joseph Haines, racked up 25 disposals and five tackles.

Former Eagle Kobe Mutch nearly finished with more tackles (16) than disposals (19) while Brooksby was another key influence for South with 12 disposals and 13 tackles to go with his monster hit out haul.

AAMI Rookie Jack Delean provided the highlight of the day on debut when he climbed from three deep to pull down an eye-catching mark late in the third term, before kicking his second goal for the match.

South talls Zach Sproule and Damon Freitag also kicked two goals apiece.

West’s Kobe Ryan is going to take some topping for the overall Powerade Breakthrough Player award after registering 25 disposals and 16 tackles while Michael Mattingly was solid with 21 disposals, 10 tackles and six clearances.

It was a tough day at the office for the Bloods given they fell to 10th on the premiership table following their loss and Norwood’s upset win against Central in Round 15.