Round 2 U16 Torrens University Cup Wrap

By STEVE BARRETT

South Adelaide overcame errant goal-kicking and a persistent second-half challenge from Central District to earn a 21-point win in the U16 Torrens University Cup at Flinders University Stadium.

With Jack Delean (23 disposals, three-first half goals) and midfielder Tom Wheaton (20 touches, 16 tackles) on song, the Panthers led handsomely by 29 points at half-time.

But Central, piloted by Angus Vandenberg (four majors), backman Thomas Cochrane (22 possessions, 12 rebound-50s) and ruckman Jayden Matz (43 hitouts), chewed into the deficit, helped along by South’s second-half inaccuracy (1.10).

William O’Brien’s fourth-quarter snap cut the Panthers’ advantage to 11 points before Sebastian Hoeck marked and goaled to end the Dogs’ charge.

Reigning Under-16 Torrens University Cup holder Glenelg fended off a ferocious Norwood fightback to hold on by six points in a thriller at Coopers Stadium.

The Bays led by 25 points in the fourth term before the Redlegs, who shone in brief spurts while otherwise largely outplayed, almost concocted a miracle.

Norwood slammed four goals in seven minutes, tying the scores in the 16th minute before Tiger Charlie Hillier calmly goaled against the flow in the dying moments to break the deadlock.

Redleg Connor Butcher (21 possessions, nine clearances) was influential in the middle and William Rowlands booted three of his five majors during that frantic final-quarter run.

Woodville-West Torrens survived a late scare before edging past wayward West Adelaide by eight points at Hisense Stadium.

The Bloods, plagued by inaccurate goal-kicking all afternoon, trailed by 18 points in the third stanza before belatedly fixing their radar in the fourth.

Charlie Haysman goaled twice in a minute – threading the needle, then snapping magnificently – to give West the lead in the 14th minute before the undefeated Eagles responded, through Josh Capogreco and Izaak Niemann in the final seconds.

William McKay (25 possessions), Jedd Thomson (25) and Riley Davey (24) found plenty of the footy in the Eagles’ back half, while on-baller Lukas Zvaigzne (29 touches) was busy for the Bloods.

Sturt shrugged off a sluggish start to steamroll North Adelaide by 40 points at Coopers Stadium.

After falling behind by 18 points in the second period, the Double Blues sprung to life, stealing the momentum and bulldozing the Roosters 10.12 to 2.2 for the contest’s remainder.

Sturt spearhead Chad Reschke (3.5) had a huge second half despite an at-times wonky radar.

At the other end, North forward Jack Dundon kicked two majors, while midfielders Angus Tally (36 disposals), Kane McAuliffe (28) and Luke Harvey (22) were prolific but lacked support after quarter-time.