Round 5 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Sunday

The drought is finally over for West Adelaide. 

After losing their past twenty matches in succession to Sturt, the Bloods finally broke through for their first victory against the Double Blues since Round 16, 2015 – the same year the club secured its most recent premiership.

And with dual Norwood premiership mentor Nathan Bassett quickly making his presence felt in the chair at Milner Road, Westies fans are already daring to dream.

With two players sidelines for the second half – star midfielder Kobe Ryan and key position utility Hamish Ellem – the hosts displayed plenty of grit and determination to knock off the reigning premier in gutsy fashion.

Keeping Sturt without a goal in the last quarter, the Bloods hit the lead in the fourth minute when Harvey Griffiths – who earlier took a contender for Mark of the Year – nailed his third goal of the absorbing battle.

The visitors had their opportunities to take control but consecutive behinds to a returning Tom Lewis, Sam Waltham and Oliver Grivell left the door ajr for a meaningful Westies win.

And that’s exactly what the Richmond faithful got when Joel Parker caught Ned Walter holding-the-ball before converting his set shot from 20m out, directly in front.

It gave West a five-point lead but the Bloods were forced to defend grimly for the final nine minutes, which included a desperate rushed behing on the goalline after an attempted soccer goal from Grivell.

Losing Ryan to a suspected shoulder injury in the second term, the Bloods had fellow midfielders Ben Ridgway (28 disposals, seven clearances, seven tackles), Cade Kennedy (27 disposals, one goal), and captain Sam Frost (21 disposals) share the load.

Griffiths was a constant threat inside 50m, setting up Kennedy with an unselfish pass to the top of the goal square for Kennedy’s major while Judd Hansen was lively for his two goals and 16 disposals.

Lewis, returning from a calf complaint, wasted no time in returning to his productive best with a match-high 36 disposals, eight clearances and six tackles while Marty Frederick (26 disposals) and Will Snelling (24 disposals) also battled hard in the centre square for Sturt.

Star Sturt small forward Josh Hone booted three goals to take his career tally past 300, whilst also enjoying a nice ride at the back for a soaring mark in the third quarter.

Woodville-West Torrens has earmarked itself as the early-season Hostplus SANFL League pacesetter with a comprehensive 69-point thrashing of North Adelaide at Revo Fitness Oval. 

Now sitting clear at the top of the table with an unblemished 5-0 win-loss record, the high-flying Eagles controlled the contest from the outset by slamming on the first four goals of the game.

Leading at every change throughout the afternoon, Sam Jacobs’ charges were also on point defensively as they applied 28 tackles to 12 in the opening term whilst also restricting the hosts to just one major – a Mitch Harvey set shot – in the first half.

With star veteran Jack Hayes showing glimpses of his best by nailing a game-breaking six-goal haul, the visitors led by 27 points at the main change before stretching it to a commanding 58 by three quarter-time.

The Eagles’ efficiency was highlighted by having 12 fewer disposals and 14 fewer marks than the Roosters whilst also conceding one more inside 50 entry. But the overall stats didn’t matter as the competition’s early premiership favourite flexed its muscle in impressive fashion.

Geelong recruit Ted Clohesy again proved why his signature was hotly-pursued in the off-season as he racked up 25 disposals, eight clearances, nine tackles anf two goals for the Eagles while Jack Hayes finished with an accurate 6.1 to go with his 12 disposals and six marks.

Eagles on-ballers Max Beattie (19 disposals, one goal), Riley Knight (19 disposals) and Ethan Grace (17 disposals, one goal) were also influential as Jordan Lukac battled hard in the ruck after teammate Connor Ballenden was a late withdrawal.

North’s Oliver Francou, who was a late withdrawal last round, made a welcome return to rack up a match-high 27 disposals and a goal while Angus Schumacher had 23 disposals, seven clearances and a goal.

Inform Cody Raak had 20 disposals and nine marks for the Roosters while Harrison Magor chimed in with 20 possessions as the hosts fell to a 2-3 win-loss record.