ROUND 18 of the SANFL season was a split round, with three matches taking place one week before it was concluded last weekend with one game between Central District and Sturt.

Six teams battled away on Saturday 30 July, with West Adelaide losing to the in-form North Adelaide, Norwood continuing their strong form with a narrow 2 goal defeat of arch-rivals the Magpies, and Glenelg losing to South Adelaide.

On Saturday 6 August, two Power players played in the reserves match between Central District and Sturt.

The Eagles have the bye in the split round, ensuring them a fortnight off.

All games were watched closely by development manager Daniel Healy and development coach Matthew Nicks. Their full report is below.

SANFL Player of the Week
Andrew Moore (for Roosters reserves vs Bloods)
Moore had a really impressive hit-out for the Roosters, really heavily involved in the play and really looking like a strong player both with and without the ball. He worked hard to bring his teammates into the game, linking up a number of times with Power teammates Aaron Young - who also had a good game - and Callum Hay.

Aaron Young (for Roosters reseves vs Bloods)
Like Moore, Young had a fantastic first half getting plenty of the football and really controlling the game, and like Moore Young was a real stand-out. Moore continued that form moreso than Youngie in the second half and ended up being arguably the best on ground, which was great to see - he’s up and about at the moment.

Callum Hay (for Roosters reseves vs Bloods)
Callum got through a half of football and played some really good quality footy - he got plenty of the ball in the first quarter and had a fantastic chase down. He felt a little bit nervous about his hammy after half-time, and the decision was made for him not to play in the second half. Fortunately he’s pulled up well, which is good news for him.

Marlon Motlop (for Bloods reserves vs Roosters)
Motlop was involved in a win for the first time in a little while, and had a reasonable game - we’re looking for more from him in terms of workrate, to the point where he just can’t run anymore because he’s physically exhausted himself.

Daniel Stewart (for Roosters vs Bloods)
It was a really quiet game for Snowy this week with a real quality opponent lined up against him. He struggled to impose himself on the game.

Daniel Motlop (for Roosters vs Bloods)
Mots was very much up and about, and was a real spark - his first, second and third efforts were all there, and it was great to see. It’s exactly what we’ve been asking for him to do at SANFL level and it was a real improvement by him and he contributed strongly to North Adelaide’s win.

Jason Davenport (for Bloods vs Roosters)
Dav played half-back, which was a really good test for him as he’s normally lined up across the half-forward flank and pushed up to the wing. He showed some really good signs that he can play that position and provide run for West Adelaide going forward.

Daniel Webb (for Bloods vs Roosters)
Webb was very solid, kicking 3 goals playing up forward as well as spending a bit of time in the ruck. He went okay at the stoppages, but his second efforts were the real stand-out for him, and he got involved and made a real contest for West Adelaide.

Tom Jonas (for Redlegs vs Magpies)
Tom played down back on the resting ruckman, and then actually stood John Butcher for most of the second half of the match. He was very good defensively, limiting his man’s impact upon the game. He picked up 15 touches in what was a solid, steady game.

John Butcher (for Magpies vs Redlegs)
He played forward, starting deep, and had 4 marks and kicked a goal in the first term. He looked very dangerous, but after that a combination of things - like Norwood really getting control of the game - saw him stop working as hard as he could, and Jonas did a very good job on him. He’ll be disappointed with his game as a whole as a result.

Jacob Surjan (for Magpies vs Redlegs)
Surj played on-ball as well as stints at half-back and across half-forward as well. He had 22 possessions and was a contributor for Port but didn’t set them alight with his play - his ball use was okay, but his grunt and toughness was down a bit on what we’re seen previously.

Daniel Bass (for Panthers vs Tigers)
Once again, Bass showed a real desire to compete. He won around 20 hit-outs, but the best thing about them was that a number were directed to a teammate. He didn't get a heap of the ball around the ground - he had 10 possessions in total, and kicked a point too - but his willingness to run all day is great to see.

Matt Westhoff (for Bulldogs reserves vs Double Blues)
Matt played more of a half-forward role after several weeks playing in the backline. He kicked a goal, and it looks like he'll be close to a call-up to the league side with Centrals battling injury to senior players, so hopefully with that call-up will come some good form for Matt with the rest of the season and finals looming.

Jarrad Redden (guest player for Double Blues reserves vs Bulldogs)
Jarrad played as a guest player, alternating between the ruck and forward - he was pretty dominant in the ruck, as you'd expect, and was pretty dangerous up forward as well - it was really good to see as he didn't know anyone in the side but he still had a good day out, servicing his midfielders really well whilst in the ruck.

Previous SANFL Reports
SANFL Wrap - Round 17
SANFL Wrap - Round 16
SANFL Wrap - Round 15
SANFL Wrap - Round 14
SANFL Wrap - Round 13
SANFL Wrap - Round 12
SANFL Wrap - Round 11
SANFL Wrap - Round 10
SANFL Wrap - Round 9
SANFL Wrap - Round 8
SANFL Wrap - Round 7
SANFL Wrap - Round 6
SANFL Wrap - Round 5
SANFL Wrap - Round 4
SANFL Wrap - Round 3
SANFL Wrap - Round 2
SANFL Wrap - Round 1