U16 Torrens University Cup Semi Final Preview

In the second semi-final, U16 juggernaut Glenelg will host reigning premier South Adelaide in a rematch of last season’s decider.

Both sides are loaded with talent, with 12 players across the two sides included in the initial 51-man 2022 Torrens University SA U16 squad.

Glenelg finished the season in powerful fashion, winning seven of the last eight matches by an average margin of 72 points.

South Adelaide started the season in fine form, sitting pretty at 9-2 at round 11 before dropping three of their last six.

The Panthers beat Glenelg by three points when the clubs met in round six then by 40 points in round eight, but the Bays hit back in emphatic fashion in round 13, winning by 86 points.

Charlie McAuliffe was dominant in that Tigers’ win, collecting 30 disposals, six marks and two goals.

He’ll be joined in the side by the Camporeale-twins, Lucas and Ben, who combined for 67 possessions, 12 marks and five goals in the last minor round game against Central District.

South Adelaide’s on-ball brigade will be no push-over though, even with SA U16 captain Sid Draper sidelined through injury.

SA deputy vice-captain Phoenix Hargrave has been at his productive best this season, averaging 25.4 disposals, 7.8 marks, 5.2 tackles, 4.5 clearances, 7.5 inside-50s and a goal in 13 U16 matches.

He’s been well supported by Cohen Shortridge, who has booted 25 majors and averaged 6.9 marks in 17 matches.

Shortridge played a massive role in South’s round eight win over Glenelg, booting four goals from 30 disposals and 18 marks in a best-on-ground display.

Panthers speedster and SA U16 representative Benny Barrett could be the game-breaker South Adelaide need to book their spot in the grand final.

Not only a prolific ball-winner at the contest who is able to burst away from traffic at pace (averaging 6.4 clearances), Barrett is also an accurate kick inside-50 and tackling machine when utilised inside-50.

Glenelg skipper Archer Rouvray will lead his side into battle at ACH Group Stadium. Another who has missed a number of SANFL U16 games throughout the season with college commitments, his stoppage nous and leadership will be invaluable throughout the finals.

KEY MATCHUP

Charlie McAuliffe (Glenelg) v Phoenix Hargrave (South)

There are mouth-watering match-ups all over the ground, but the potential head-to-head battle between prolific midfielders Charlie McAuliffe and Phoenix Hargrave will be tantalising.

Both players have had outstanding years and have proven to be leaders of their respective on-ball units. Their ability to not only win the ball at the coalface but push forward to hit the scoreboard has been impressive.

Woodville-West Torrens will play North Adelaide in the first semi-final of the U16 Torrens University Cup.

The Eagles narrowly edged out North for third position after recording a win over second-placed South Adelaide in the final minor round.

At 9-1 after round ten, the Roosters looked poised for a top-two finish but won just two more games in the final eight weeks to make the final four.

The clubs split the honours in the home-and-away season, with North claiming the first encounter by 26 points and Woodville-West Torrens fighting back to take the points in the second clash by 48 points.

Father-son prospects Tom Tasker (son of Sean) and Rome Burgoyne (son of Peter) have both been in good form throughout the year and will play significant roles throughout the finals.

North’s Connor O’Leary is the competition’s leading goal kicker, having booted 33 goals in 16 matches, but he’ll be supported in attack by full-forward PJ Carlin and speedster Louie Montgomery, who have both been playing college football for much of the year with Trinity College and Prince Alfred College respectively.

At the other end of the ground, Tyler Welsh, the son of former-Crow Scott, has been a force at centre-half-forward for the Eagles.

His contested marking provides Woodville-West Torrens with a focal point in attack. He’s booted 26 goals in 14 U16 games, but also booted seven goals (including three against North) when given a stint in the under-18 side.

Other Roosters to watch in the first semi-final include prolific wingman Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier and on-ballers Owen Kalic and Mitchell Llewellyn, while Eagles fans should keep their eyes on midfielders Lachlan Lucas and utility Kade Herbert.

KEY MATCHUP

Tom Luck (Eagles) v Tom Stevens (North)

The Roosters boast four of the top ten disposal getters in the competition, but they’ll have their work cut out for them if Eagles and state under-16 ruckman Tom Luck gains control at stoppages.

Luck has pieced together an excellent season for Woodville-West Torrens, averaging 16.2 disposals, 4.8 marks, 20.5 hit-outs and a goal per game in 13 matches.

It’ll be largely up to North’s Tom Stevens to match Luck around the ground and in the contest in what should prove to be an influential match-up.