Round 1 U18 Torrens University Cup Wrap

By ZAC MILBANK

South Adelaide started its 2021 U18 Torrens University Cup campaign brightly with a tough 13-point win against Norwood at Flinders University Stadium.

After a slow start, the Panthers began to gain control of the game before the Legs hit the front through Jayden Gale seven minutes into the final term.

But late goals to Koby Cockshell and highly-rated draft prospect Matt Roberts (25 disposals and six clearances) were enough for the hosts to gain the premiership points.

Arlo Draper was also impressive for South with 25 touches and two goals while Alastair Lord (26 disposals) and Tyson Walls (25 disposals and two goals) shone for Norwood.

Sturt’s twin tower tall forwards were influential in its 40-point win against Woodville-West Torrens at Unley Oval.

Morgan Ferres (six goals) and Felix Packer (three goals) were dominant for the Double Blues, who kicked 6.2 to the Eagles 0.2 in the final term to secure victory.

Jamie Taylor (30 disposals and five clearances) and Will Spain (29 disposals and eight clearances) were ball magnets in the centre square for the hosts.

The Eagles were well served by Adam D’Aloia, Brayden Calvett and Brock Thomson who each surpassed 20 disposals.

Glenelg’s wasteful display in front of goal wasn’t enough to prevent it from recording a 26-point win against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Engineering a massive inside 50m ascendancy of 56 to 28, the Bays booted 9.17 whole holding the Bloods to just three behinds in the final term.

Tigers Lewis Rayson and Harry Tunkin each racked up 31 disposals while Jacob Owens had 29 and a goal for the visitors.

West’s Charlie Pridham collected 32 possessions while teammate Kobe Ryan filled his stats sheet with 28, six tackles and four clearances.

A blistering seven-goal first quarter catapulted North Adelaide toward a 49-point victory against Central District at Prospect Oval.

Slamming on 7.3 to the Bulldogs’ 1.1 in the opening term, the Roosters were never headed as they cruised to a comfortable win.

Crows Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Keeler booted 5.2 from his 12 disposals and six marks while North teammate Hugh Jackson had a monster afternoon with 37 disposals and seven clearances.

The Bulldogs’ Shay Linke tried hard to register 27 disposals and 10 marks while Ruben Carreno had 23 and seven marks.