Round 14 U18 Torrens University Cup Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

West Adelaide kept its U18 Torrens University Cup finals chances alive with an upset 24-point win against North Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

The Bloods burst out of the blocks with an eight-goal opening term and from there, were never seriously threatened en route to defeating the ladder-leading Roosters.

West midfielder Tyson Coe was instrumental in the crucial victory, collecting 37 disposals and six clearances while also booting three goals, along with key forward Tom Scully.

North’s James White tried valiantly to haul his side back into the game with 30 disposals and two goals while Hughen Wissman (28 disposals) and Oliver Dignan (three goals) provided solid support.

Woodville-West Torrens overcame a scoreless opening term to cause a 24-point boilover against Glenelg at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

In a bizarre contest, the Eagles also endured a goalless third term yet managed to make the most of the Tigers’ scoring inaccuracy to record their fourth win of the season.

Jordan Tilbrook (22 disposals, one goal), Sebastian Menta (14 disposals) and Elex Day (25 disposals, one goal) drew high praise from the Eagles’ coaching staff.

Tigers James McIntyre, Tom Corcoran and Noah Sims (20 disposals, one goal) were the better performers for the visitors.

Sturt withstood a strong second-quarter challenge from Central District to bank a 37-point win at Wigan Oval.

Leading comfortably by 22 points at the first change, the Double Blues saw their advantage whittled down to just nine points at the main break as the Bulldogs piled on five majors for the term.

But with Declan Gladigau (17 disposals, three goals), Tom McCourt (22 disposals) and Luca Slade (27 disposals, one goal) performing strongly, the Double Blues responded with a seven-goal second half.

Central goal kickers Liam Fawcett (4.2) and Will McCabe (3.0) were among the Dogs’ best, the latter coming off his consistent campaign which earned him MVP for the Torrens University SA U16 team.

A barnstorming 10-goal second half ensured Norwood would earn valuable percentage from its 62-point win against South Adelaide at The Parade.

Leading by a commanding 41 points at half-time, the Redlegs accelerated to pile on 10.3 to the Panthers’ 6.6 across the third and fourth quarters as they went a long way toward securing a top-four berth.

Norwood’s Noah Hyde (28 disposals, two goals), Taj Rahui (16 disposals, four goals) and Alex Van Wyk (16 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) were major influences in the result.

South’s Blake Rodrigues, Jye Bottroff and Jack Delean (two goals) provided some resistance for the visitors but it wasn’t enough to prevent their 10th loss of the season.