By ZAC MILBANK
Norwood inflicted North Adelaide’s first loss of the U18 Torrens University Cup season with a gritty 15-point win at Prospect Oval.
The rampant Redlegs kept in touch with the top four by applying tremendous pressure on the Roosters with 27 more tackles for the match.
Norwood’s Brandon Mu (22 disposals, two goals, eight tackles), Grant Catalano (20 disposals, eight tackles) and Taj Rahui (19 disposals, seven tackles) were at the forefront of the defensive action.
North’s James White (27 disposals) and Jake Grubb (22 disposals), the younger brother of senior Rooster Lachlan Grubb, toiled hard for the hosts.
A blistering first-half ensured Woodville-West Torrens would coast to a 48-point win against Sturt at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.
The Eagles burst out of the blocks to bang on five goals in the first term before establishing a 50-point advantage at the main change.
A red hot Mattaes Phillipou put his allround game on display with 36 disposals, nine marks and a goal while teammates Adam D’Aloia (30 disposals) and Brody Mair (six goals) also proved too difficult for Sturt to curtail.
Tall Sturt utility Ryan Turner (15 disposals, seven marks) tried to pull his side back into the game along with midfielder Nick Sadler, who tallied a team-high 25 disposals and six clearances.
A six-goal second term set up Glenelg’s impressive 99-point victory against Central District at ACH Group Stadium.
Leading by 16 points at the first change, the Tigers slammed on 6.3 while holding the Bulldogs scoreless to earn a match-winning 55-point lead at the main break.
Bays forwards Jayden Davis (20 disposals, five goals) and Harvey Lambert (six goals) unsurprisingly featured in their better players with Ryan Wurfel (22 disposals, two goals).
Central’s Jayden Matz and Braden Owen battled for the visitors, who were well led by Austin McDonald with 28 disposals, nine clearances and eight tackles.
West Adelaide’s efficiency inside 50m played a vital role in chalking up a 50-point win against South Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.
Despite only registering one more attacking entry than the Panthers, the Bloods managed 10 more scoring shots while leading comfortable at each break.
West’s Tyson Coe was instrumental in setting up the victory with 28 disposals and three goals while teammates Jameson Whitbourne (27 disposals) and Judd Hansen (four goals) provided excellent support.
South’s Nick Schroder was lauded by his coaches for performing his role for the team while Kyle Marshall and Blake Rodrigues were also recognised.
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