The WAFL conquered SANFL by 26 points with a superb performance at Adelaide Oval

THE WAFL responded to a final quarter challenge from the SANFL to claim state bragging rights with a terrific 26-point victory at Adelaide Oval.

Jye Bolton was best on ground for the WAFL. Picture: Sarah Reed

THE SANFL’S reputation as the strongest state league is being seriously questioned after a second successive loss to the WAFL at Adelaide Oval.

The WAFL, led by Jye Bolton and Sharrod Wellingham, had too much ammunition for the home side and held firm when challenged in the final quarter to triumph by 26 points.

Sturt captain Zane Kirkwood led from the front as SA captain and once again earned the Fos Williams Medal as the side’s leading performer.

The visitors were switched on early when they got their hands to plenty of ball and constantly charged forward. The inside 50 count was 11-4 in favour of WA, but they wasted opportunities by simply bombing the ball into attack with little method.

Ruckman Darcy Fort and the SANFL side after the loss. Picture: Sarah Reed

Kaine Stevens attempts to tackle WAFL’s Rhys Palmer. Picture Sarah Reed

They were made to pay for their failure to convert the forward entries with Sturt on-ballers Aidan Riley and Kirkwood nailing two goals in two minutes. Marlon Motlop added a third 24 minutes into the opening term before Josh Hone joined the party to give the home side all the momentum.

At quarter-time SA had crept in front in the inside 50 count, such was its ascendancy.

But the quarter-time break worked completely in favour of WA. The fluent movement returned to its game and it surged forward in waves in a powerful second term display.

Unlike the first quarter when it failed to kick a goal, WA took advantage of its territory dominance to bag eight goals for the term. It looked really sharp and its pressure was outstanding, restricting SA to just four behinds.

The WAFL side celebrates after the win. Picture SARAH REED

Such was the WA onslaught, Glenelg’s strong-marking forward Josh Scott was summoned to defence late in the quarter.

Remarkably, kicking to the southern end against the wind proved the scoring end and SA responded to close within one point when Panos goaled 12 minutes into the third quarter. It was the 17th goal kicked at that end of the ground compared to none at the northern end.

WA’s Corey Gault snapped the goal drought at the northern end midway through the term and Brad Stevenson nailed a terrific set shot on the siren to give the visitors an eight-point lead.

The trend stretched into the final term when Rhys Waters kicked his second goal for WA early.

Twice SA cut the deficit to nine points, but its opponent had all the answers and too often had loose players to work the ball deep into attack.

STATE GAME SCOREBOARD

WAFL 0.4 8.6 10.9 15.12 (102)

SANFL 4.2 4.6 9.7 11.10 (76)

BEST - WAFL: Bolton, Wellingham, Meadows, Nelson, Gault, Litherland. SANFL: Kirkwood, Colquhoun, Thompson, Rose, Panos.

GOALS - WAFL: Gault, Strijk 3, Johnson, Waters 2, Bolton, Horsley, Palmer, Stevenson, Wellingham. SANFL: Scott 2, Colquhoun, Hayes, Hone, Hoskin, Kirkwood, Motlop, Panos, Riley, Stevens.

UMPIRES - Crosby, Broadbent, Power.

At Adelaide Oval

FOS WILLIAMS MEDAL – Zane Kirkwood (SANFL).

SIMPSON MEDAL – Jye Bolton (WAFL).