SANFL Snapshot – Saturday

Port Adelaide’s fast start ensured it would keep Adelaide at bay by 14 points in the historic SANFL Showdown at Adelaide Oval.

Playing in front of their home faithful as curtain-raiser to the AFL Showdown for the first time, the Magpies six-goal opening term made life difficult for the Crows from the outset.

Port’s ability to maintain scoreboard pressure was critical in the result, heading into half-time with a comfortable 34-point margin.

It would prove to be enough of a buffer to weather Adelaide’s second-half fightback, as Michael Godden’s men kicked 7.7 to Port’s 4.5 to show plenty of spirit heading into the bye for West End State game.

Adelaide got within eight points when former Power bigman Billy Frampton snapped truly out of the ruck but a steadier from Port captain Cam Sutcliffe three minutes later sealed the premiership points.

Port’s Jarrod Lienert led the way on the stats sheet with 28 possessions and six marks while Riley Bonner continued to build his conditioning after a hamstring strain to collect 26 disposals and boot two goals.

Port ruck Peter Ladhams finished with three goals, including two fantastic snap shots, one a set shot from the boundary line.

Adelaide’s Chayce Jones continued to relish his new role across half-back with a team-high 27 disposals while midfielder Jackson Hately had 26 touches, seven clearances and a close range goal.

Frampton again had an impact on the scoreboard with a game-high haul of four goals.

South Adelaide outlasted Woodville-West Torrens in a see-sawing battle at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Two of last season’s top three in the Statewide Super League again showed they are among the competition’s pacesetters after producing an entertaining, high quality contest in which the lead changed on eight occasions.

The Panthers appeared headed for a comfortable victory when they surged at the start of the fourth quarter, Eamon Wilkinson making something out of nothing in the clip below to give them an eight-point lead.

And when team-mate Nic Schwarz added another two minutes later, the visitors had opened up a 14-point lead in the 13th minute.

But the Eagles refused to concede as Troy Menzel nailed his fourth goal of the afternoon, pegging the deficit back to just nine points with more than 10 minutes left on the clock.

It would be the final goal of the game though, as Daniel Menzel and Zane Williams both booted behinds for the hosts, leaving South to claim the premiership points.

Former Eagle Matthew Broadbent collected 27 disposals in his return for South while Mitchell O’Neil and Bryce Gibbs each reached 20 disposals and hit the scoreboard with majors, the latter with two.

Small forward Jake Tarca was efficient with four goals from his six kicks.

Riley Knight continued his ball-winning ways with 24 possessions for the Eagles while veteran Matt Goldsworthy was his constructive self with 20 touches and a goal.

It wasn’t pretty but Norwood rolled up its sleeves to earn a 32-point victory against Central District at X Convenience Oval.

Leading at every change, the Redlegs made the most of having their noses in front all afternoon in the wet conditions at Elizabeth.

Despite having 11 fewer inside 50s, Jade Rawlings’ men made the most of their efficiency inside 50m, particularly veteran swingman Cam Shenton.

Norwood’s leadership group member banged on three of his game-breaking four majors before half-time, with his fourth in the clip below opening up a commanding 28-point lead early in the third term.

Shenton received great support in front of goal from Tasmanian recruit Jackson Callow, who kicked three goals to be among his team’s eight goal kickers.

Norwood captain Matthew Nunn was adjudged the Coles Value Player of the game for his 24 possessions, seven marks and four clearances while Declan Hamilton, Jacob Kennerley and Nik Rokahr each tallied 19 disposals.

Central quartet Travis Schiller, Jarrod Schiller, Justin Hoskin and Darcy Pisani revelled in the damp conditions to each reach the 20-disposal barrier but the hosts’ inability to find a multiple goal scorer proved costly.