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Broken Hill lads start SANFL season with a win

Nick Schofield - West Broken Hill in a one-on-one contest with Central’s Jayden Matz. PICTURE: PETER ARGENT
By Peter Argent

Both South Broken Hill lad Lachlan McKenzie and West’s Robin Nick Schofield enjoyed a first-round victory in the SANFL Under 18s competition, which started up over the weekend of March 26 and March 27.

The pair were members of a North Adelaide side that travelled out to play Central District in a 10am, Sunday morning fixture at X Convenience Stadium, Elizabeth.

North Adelaide started strongly in very warm summer-like conditions, kicked five goals in each of the opening two terms, and were 44 points up at the long interval.

They kept their foot on the peddle in the second half, going on to win by 69 points, with the final score being North Adelaide 19.12 (126), defeating Central District 9.3 (57).

Lachlan McKenzie was used at the defensive end of the ground and was a solid performer.

He finished with a highly respectable 16 disposals (seven kicks, nine handballs), three marks and an inside 50 entry.

Having turned 18 on March 1, McKenzie is a 189cm, 84 kg athlete.

West Broken Hill lad Nick Schofield, a dual sporting talent, plays predominately in defence.

Turning 19 in mid-September 2022, North Adelaide has been granted a permit to play Schofield in the Under 18s competition.

As a small defender, at 180cm tall and weighing 76 kilograms, he finished with nine possessions and laid a couple of tackles.

“Nick has now moved to Adelaide and is going to University,” long term North Adelaide coach, now in his fourth year with the Under 18s program, Craig Brooks said.

“Lachlan is currently doing an apprenticeship, having just arrived in Adelaide last Thursday.

“He will develop even more now he’ll be able to train with the squad full time.

“Lachie is a pretty good all-round player – being a good size for a footballer at nearly 190cm, noted for his strong running ability and he can use the footy constructively when he gets hold of it.

“Nick had been sick all week coming off Covid Protocols.

“He is a good ball user and decision-maker and a steady defender.

“Both have the capacity to be regular contributors for us in the 2022 campaign.

“We are looking for continued improvement from both Lachie and Nick over the course of the season.”

The Roosters have a second Sunday morning 10am game in round two, taking on 2021 premiers Woodville West Torrens on home turf at Prospect Oval.

The Eagles will be fired up for a strong response, as they endured a 110-point shellacking in the round one game last Saturday against Glenelg at Thebarton Oval.

In 2022 the SANFL will have both their Under 18s and Under 16s programs completing full seasons.

For the past decade, the SANFL Under 16s has been a one-round seven-game abridged campaign.

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