SANFL News

Mid-Season Draft chances emerge in Bloods win, ex-AFL pair shine for Sturt: SANFL Wrap – Round 4

Catch up on all the action from round four of the SANFL.

Published by
Jordan Routley

The Bulldogs moved to the top of the ladder after another impressive win, Sturt silenced the reigning premiers on their own patch and West Adelaide put on a second half clinic to blow away the Panthers.

Read all about it in this week's SANFL wrap.

Glenelg 6.8.(44) def by Sturt 11.16.(82)

Sturt upstaged the reigning premiers in the Anzac Day grand final rematch with a convincing 38-point win over Glenelg.

The last time the Blues travelled to Glenelg they received a 106-point hiding, but any chances of a repeat were quickly put to bed following a strong opening quarter from the visitors.

Sturt's midfield was on top from the first bounce, creating territory dominance that was reflected in a lopsided 51-33 inside 50 count.

Star recruit Will Snelling led the way in this area, putting in one of the best individual performances in recent memory to win the Bob Quinn Medal as best afield.

Snelling racked up 33 disposals, eight clearances and a massive 18 tackles as he set the tone for a rampaging Sturt midfield.

Sturt player Will Snelling, 2024 (Image via the SANFL)

He was ably assisted by Jared Dakin and James Battersby, who both finished with over 20 disposals.

The Blues were very deliberate in building the ball up from attack, finishing with 69 more disposals and 47 more marks as they held the Tigers to their second score of under 50 points this season.

Fellow recruit Flynn Perez played his best game to date in the Double Blues colours, finding 24 disposals, seven inside 50s and six rebound 50s as he provided spark and dash through the middle of the ground.

Connor McFadyen played another fine game in attack, booting four goals including two crucial majors in the opening quarter.

While Riley Holder again battled valiantly in ruck for Glenelg, he was outclassed by the pairing of Amos Doyle and Daniel Fahey-Sparks for Sturt, who won the hitouts 61-24 and gave first-use to their midfielders.

For Glenelg, Matthew Snook toiled away for 19 disposals, seven clearances and eight tackles, while Jonty Scharenberg was composed in defence as he found 22 disposals and eight rebound 50s.

West Adelaide 17.10.(112) def South Adelaide 6.9.(45)

West Adelaide produced a stunning second half of football to run away with a mammoth 67-point win over South Adelaide at Richmond Oval on Saturday.

After a scrappy first half in which the teams combined for just seven goals, the Bloods turned on the jets to slam on 13 goals after the main break in a dominant display of footy.

Sitting at 2-2 after four rounds, this is West Adelaide's best start to a season since their premiership-winning year of 2015 and gives them a great platform to avoid the wooden spoon for the first time in six years.

West Adelaide have already shown on numerous occasions this year that they are capable of kicking bursts of goals in quick time, having done so in the second quarter against Woodville-West Torrens and in the final term against Port Adelaide.

Leading South Adelaide by just six points at the main break, the Bloods kicked four goals in an eight-minute period to start the third and established a 30-point buffer in the blink of an eye.

An early goal to Noah Howes from South Adelaide to start the final quarter gave the visitors some faint hope of a fightback, but that was quickly snuffed out as the Bloods kicked six goals in 12 minutes to set up a percentage-boosting win.

The damage started in the midfield, particularly in the second half, as Kobe Ryan, Brady Searle and Jesse Thackeray continually broke away from stoppage and provided silver service to the forward line.

This midfield display resulted in a comprehensive 56-38 inside 50 advantage, a level of dominance that West Adelaide have not seen for several years. 

Ryan was again best on ground with 33 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals, while Thackeray played one of his better games in red and black as he finished with 27 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal.

Kobe Ryan of West Adelaide in the SANFL, 2024 (Image via Adelaide Sports Photography)

Glenelg recruit Searle showed what an important addition he will be for this team with another standout display of 27 disposals and eight clearances.

Lucas Meline continued his terrific start to the season with 22 disposals and 12 marks, while Will Patton continues to push for mid-season draft contention with 26 disposals and 12 marks of his own.

Big man Riley Corbett was influential throughout, plying his trade all over the ground to finish with 20 disposals, 16 hitouts, six clearances and a goal.

His contested marking was a significant feature, taking five for the match both as an intercepting defender and forward target.

On a lean day for the Panthers, new recruit Callum McCarty shone like a beacon, collecting 37 disposals, 11 clearances and nine tackles in a blistering display.

Elliot Dunkin was another bright spot for South Adelaide, showing plenty of flair among his 23 disposals, while Oliver Davis was a consistent contributor with 29 disposals and seven inside.

Tall forward Noah Howes is another who is putting his hand up for Mid-Season Draft consideration, and while he only finished with 1.3, his contested marking was again impressive.

Central District 14.6.(90) def Woodville-West Torrens 11.9.(75)

Central District moved to the top of the ladder as they continued their fine start to the season with a 15-point victory over Woodville-West Torrens at Elizabeth.

The top-of-the-table clash lived up to all the hype despite several Eagles players withdrawing before the match due to injury and illness, with Luke Thompson, Riley Knight and Jarrod Redden among the key outs.

After a strong first quarter that netted five goals, the Bulldogs established a three-goal lead that they were able to maintain throughout the day despite several gallant charges from the Eagles.

The Bulldogs' efficiency in front of goal was a key component of the victory, kicking 14.6 despite losing clearances by eight and inside 50s by six.

At one stage they kicked nine goals without a blemish, proving the old adage that good kicking is indeed good football.

The Bulldogs' new-found attacking flair was on full display again, breaching the 90-point barrier for the fourth consecutive week as their fast ball movement and slick skills caught the Eagles on the hop.

Aiden Grace continued his strong start to the year, booting four goals and proved to be a constant threat in the air and at ground level.

In the absence of Dale Pearce who went down with a shoulder injury, Nick Lange stood up to kick five goals while also pushing up the ground to assist in defence when needed.

Hugo Munn was also influential, taking several towering contested marks on his way to three majors.

Magarey medallist Harry Grant provided his customary toughness around the footy, earning 28 disposals and 10 tackles.

Mani Liddy was important around the stoppages as he collected 18 disposals and six clearances, as was new recruit Kade Dittmar who played his best game to date in Bulldogs colours.

Jez McLennan put in another performance to make AFL recruiters take notice, tallying 17 disposals and six marks as he looked assured when defending and confident when attacking.

For the Eagles, James Rowe and Joe Sinor were standout contributors, with Rowe ammassig 34 disposals and two goals while Sinor picked up 28 disposals and eight clearances.

Woodville-West Torrens James Rowe in the SANFL, 2023 (Image via Instagram, @eagleswwtfc)

Luke Beecken continues to provide plenty of speed and dash from the half-backline, collecting 19 disposals and pushing forward for two goals.

Josh Morris is proving a valuable addition in defence, while Connor Ballenden battled valiantly in the ruck in Redden's absence, finishing with 32 hiatus and 14 disposals.

North Adelaide 12.12.(84) def Adelaide Crows 10.8.(68)

North Adelaide survived a late scare from a gallant Adelaide Crows outfit to record a 16-point win at Prospect Oval to square their ledger a 2-2.

The Roosters fought hard to establish a 44-point lead at the final break, but for the second consecutive week the Crows came home with a rush, kicking five of six goals to get within three goals late in the last.

As was the case last week against Glenelg, the Crows left their run too late and ran out of time and energy to complete the comeback.

North's win was set up with a dominant first quarter, building a 26-point lead at quarter time after a blistering six-goal display.

The Roosters were dominant at the stoppages for most of the afternoon, winning clearances 35-23 and inside 50s 47-41.

This was led by the class trio of Harrison Wigg, Campbell Coombe and Sam Mayes, who were simply too strong at the coalface for Adelaide to handle.

Wigg was his usual damaging self with 35 disposals, while Sam Mayes played his best game for the season in racking up 29 disposals and 12 clearances, often winning first possession and getting the ball going North's way.

Alex Spina, Harrison Magor and Blayne O'Loughlin were all damaging across the half-backline, each picking up more than 20 disposals and combining for 15 rebound 50s.

Regular ruckman Mitch Harvey started in the forward line again this week and played another pivotal game, kicking three goals and providing a key target up front.

Nigel Lockyer was back to his dangerous best and was a livewire early to finish with three goals of his own.

There was plenty to like in Adelaide's late fightback, which was sparked by a more competitive midfield output and more direct ball movement.

Harry Schoenberg is a welcome addition to the Crows' midfield, increasing his game time as he recovers from an Achilles injury to collect 23 disposals, seven clearances and seven inside 50s.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 07: Harry Schoenberg of the Crows is tackled by Mitch Georgiades of the Power during the 2021 AFL Round 21 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval on August 7, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Zac Taylor and Billy Dowling continue to emerge as promising midfield options, while Lachie Murphy returned to the team and played well on a wing.

Chris Burgess put in another impressive performance, finishing with four goals and also going behind the ball on occasion to provide aerial support.

Adelaide fans will be delighted with the output from young defenders Oscar Ryan and Dan Curtin, who both provided plenty of spark and drive from half-back.

Curtin was the Crows' leading disposal winner with 31 and also swung forward in the last quarter to kick a goal that capped off a great day for the first-round draft pick.

Port Adelaide 6.7.(43) def by Norwood 8.13.(61)

Norwood maintained its undefeated record to start the 2024 season after seeing off a gutsy Port Adelaide side at Alberton on Saturday night.

In the first game held under lights at Alberton, Port Adelaide fielded just eight AFL-listed players after withdrawing Ryan Burton, Tom Clurey and Jed McEntee before the first bounce.

Norwood's margin could have been greater if not for some poor kicking in front of goal, earning 19 more inside 50s but missing some golden chances as they finished with a score of 8.13.

The Redlegs put the game away during a dominant patch on either side of half-time, kicking six consecutive goals to turn a 10-point deficit into a 31-point lead just before the last break.

Outside of this lapse, the inexperienced Magpies were well and truly in the game and still had a live chance late in the last before running out of time.

Key recruits Mitch O'Neill and Billy Cootee led the way for the Redlegs, while Jacob Kennerly was as reliable as ever in finding 20 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances.

Harry Boyd was locked in a fascinating ruck duel with Port Adelaide's Dante Visentini, with the big men splitting the points but both having a big influence on the contest.

Key forward Connor McLean came in for his first game of the season and started with a bang, finishing with 3.4 in what could have been a huge night if not for some errant kicking for goal.

Emerging key forward/ruck Finn Heard was best on ground in just his fourth game of league football, collecting 18 disposals, two goals and nine marks, five of which were contested as he proved an effective target inside 50.

Matthew Ling is relishing his new role across half-back, putting in another solid game as he provided plenty of run and carry from defence.

Pierce Seymour played a crucial role as an interceptor, often reading the play to cut off many Port Adelaide attacking forays.

Arguably Port Adelaide's best player on the night was one of their SANFL rookie signings from Norwood in Logan Evans, who found 26 disposals and nine rebound 50s as an important rebounding player in the backline.

Magpies skipper Nick Moore was at his brutal best at the contest, collecting 23 disposals to go with 13 tackles and 10 clearances, while Bailey Chamberlain was busy throughout in amassing 26 disposals and a goal.

Published by
Jordan Routley