Torrens University SANFL U18 Semi-Final Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

South Adelaide advanced its premiership hopes with a nine-point win against Central District in the Torrens University SANFL U18 Second Semi-Final at Flinders University Stadium.

The Bulldogs hit the scoreboard with the opening goal of the game through Trent Tattoli but this only seemed to awaken the Panthers, who booted the next three goals in succession to hold a 13-point break at quarter-time.

Each time the visitors closed the gap, South had the answers as they opened up a 25-point lead midway through the second stanza and a game-high 34-point advantage entering time-on of the third quarter.

Central landed the last seven scoring shots of the game, including three goals, but it would ultimately be too late as the hosts booked a berth in the title-decider.

South’s Tom Wheaton starred with a match-high 26 disposals, five clearances and two goals while captain Nick Schroder was his reliable self in the back half.

Panthers’ livewire Jack Delean booted three goals from nine disposals and three tackles while Phoenix Hargrave (25 disposals, four clearances) and Benny Barrett (13 disposals, seven tackles) were other strong contributors.

The Bulldogs’ bigmen of Jayden Matz and Liam Fawcett (18 disposals, nine marks, three goals) led their charge while Asher Pasin, Tom Cochrane (17 disposals, five clearances) and Charlie Nicholls (two goals) also lent solid support.

A sensational six-goal fourth term has kept Sturt’s season alive after it showed tremendous resilience in defeating Woodville-West Torrens by 10 points in the Torrens University SANFL U18 First Semi-Final. 

Despite trailing at every change and failing to register a goal until two minutes into the second term, the Double Blues slowly clawed their way back into the contest to trail by 16 points at three quarter-time.

Booting the first three goals of the fourth term handed Sturt the lead when Jasper Maher kicked truly five minutes in but when Eagles star Tyler Welsh booted his sixth major for the afternoon, the lead changed again.

But another three goals in succession gave the Blues a decisive 16-point break 18 minutes into the final quarter as they secured a berth in the Preliminary Final against Central District.

Sturt captain George Pope led from the front with 23 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal while midfielders Ned Atkinson (17 disposals) and Luca Slade (23 disposals, one goal) were also high amongst their team’s best.

Maher finished with a damaging five goals from his 16 disposals and three marks while Loch Rawlinson (12 disposals, two goals) played his role well for the Double Blues.

Welsh was a clear standout for the Eagles with his game-high six goals straight from seven kicks and four marks while Tate Delmenico and Rome Burgoyne (17 disposals, five marks) also toiled hard in their last game for the season.