Round 7 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

A sensational six-goal second term burst catapulted North Adelaide to an eye-catching 46-point win against Sturt at Prospect Oval.

Starting sluggishly after being stymied by the Double Blues, the Roosters trailed by two goals at the first change as they battled to engineer any fluency moving forward.

But this deficit was quickly erased as North’s exciting forward line sprang to life after being fed plenty of opportunities from the Mitch Harvey-inspired midfield unit.

Suddenly the hosts led by 25 points at the half-time break after also keeping Sturt to just one behind for the second stanza.

Harvey, who finished with 20 disposals and nine clearances, got things moving for Aaron Young (35 disposals), Harrison Wigg (33 disposals) and the Combe brothers – Campbell (32 disposals) and Will (22 disposals).

The Prospect faithful was treated to a rolling highlight reel as Nigel Lockyer Junior (three goals) took a huge mark before converting from 65m while high-flying Jacob Bauer (two goals) continued to thrill with his aerial skills.

In between, the likes of Harrison Elbrow, Lachlan Grubb and Sam McInerney were also presenting a danger for the visitors, who lost the inside 50 count 58 to 38 and the clearances 46 to 26.

Not having Tom Lewis (ruptured spleen) for the first time didn’t help matters for Sturt’s midfield as captain James Battersby (30 disposals) and Patrick Wilson (28 disposals) did their best to fly the flag.

Fos Williams Medallist Casey Voss continued his red hot form in a losing side, tallying 29 disposals and 12 marks, including one particularly courageous grab running back with the flight in the second term.

Glenelg eventually shrugged off a persistent South Adelaide with a strong final term to record a 34-point win at ACH Group Stadium. 

Plagued by inaccuracy in front of goal, the Tigers faced a stern challenge from the Panthers, who hit the front for the first time when Oscar Clavarino goaled on the run 11 minutes into the third term.

The Bays led by eight points at three-quarter time after Lachie Hosie booted the first of his three goals before the hosts slowly gained control of the contest early in the fourth quarter.

Premiership forward Luke Reynolds was welcomed back into the team after swinging his set shot through for a goal in the sixth minute before teammate Matt Allen made a difference-making play just two minutes later.

The West End State team wingman timed his run to perfection to intercept a South defensive pass before playing on to goal along the ground and extend the lead to 21 points in the eighth minute.

At the other end, unheralded Alex Martini produced the play of the day when he ran down speedy South forward Jye Menzie with a goal-saving tackle nearing the 10-minute mark of the last term.

It typified the Tigers’ tenacity in ruckman Jack Hannath’s 100th game, as midfielder Corey Lyons deservedly won the John Schneebichler Medal as best afield with his 29 disposals, five tackles, five clearances and a goal.

Allen (25 disposals, nine marks), Matthew Snook (26 disposals, seven tackles) and Luke Partington (23 disposals) were also prime movers around the ball as Darcy Bailey constructed off half-back with 28 disposals.

Lesser-lights Reid Kuller (18 disposals) and Brady Searle (15 disposals, two goals) also had an impact for the hosts as they won the inside 50 count 57 to 46 whilst controlling possession with 72 more disposals and 32 more marks.

Without injured midfielders Bryce Gibbs (shoulder) and Ben Heaslip (concussion), the Panthers had defenders Matthew Broadbent (24 disposals) and Joe Haines (23 disposals) as their major ball-winners while Mitch O’Neill threatened early before finishing with 22 disposals.