Round 5 U16 Torrens University Cup Wrap

By STEVE BARRETT

Two late goals helped Glenelg pinch a pulsating one-point Under-16 Torrens University Cup win over West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Starting sluggishly, finishing waywardly and trailing at every break, the Tigers were 11 points in arrears before Charlie Hillier and Ben Ridgway booted back-to-back majors in as many minutes late in the fourth quarter to secure the nail-biting heist.

It was fitting that the impressive Ridgway (28 possessions, two goals, seven tackles) sealed it for the Bays, keeping alive their hopes of a fifth successive flag.

Jordan Gadaleta (24 disposals, seven rebound-50s) provided plenty of drive out of defence for the Bloods.

Top-of-the-table South Adelaide strengthened its premiership credentials after pounding Norwood by 59 points at Coopers Stadium.

Forward trio Jack Delean, Phoenix Hargrave and Benny Barrett slotted three goals each in an even team display for the red-hot Panthers who extended their lead at every change and never looked remotely threatened.

South midfielder Tom Wheaton continued his stellar form, nailing an early six-pointer and racking up team-highs of 26 possessions, 11 marks, seven tackles and seven inside-50s.

Backmen Harvey George (24 touches, seven rebound-50s) and Rohan Bailey (21, eight) held their own for the well-beaten Redlegs.

North Adelaide overcame a mid-match lull and some fickle finishing to trample Central District by 18 points at Prospect Oval.

The Roosters dominated early but looked like kicking themselves out of the contest when they trailed by 16 points (4.12 to 8.4) late in the third term.

But the remainder was one-way traffic, North straightening its crooked radar while defending grandly, outscoring Central 6.4 to 1.0.

Kane McAuliffe (35 possessions, 14 marks, one goal) and Angus Tully (27 disposals, seven clearances) were typically prolific for the Roosters, while captain Trent Tattoli (35 touches), Sebastian Wauer (36) and Will McCabe (29) were busy for the gallant but still winless Bulldogs.

A final-quarter splurge spurred second-placed Sturt to a 55-point hammering of Woodville-West Torrens at Unley Oval.

After leading by 27 points at quarter-time, the Double Blues were held goalless in the second term before smashing the Eagles in the second half, outscoring them 3.4 to 1.4 in the third stanza and 5.4 to 0.3 in a lopsided fourth.

Chad Reschke, the competition’s top goalscorer, bagged 3.4 and, along with on-baller George Pope (26 disposals, six tackles), was influential in Sturt posting its fourth consecutive victory.

Colby Ackland and ruckman Izaac Niemann kicked two majors apiece for the Eagles, while Jedd Thomson (25 touches, eight rebound-50s) played a lone hand in defence.