South Adelaide Under-18 vs Glenelg Under-18
Round 4 - Flinders University Stadium - 15/04/2023

Goals: Hargrave, Howes, Shortridge 2, Draper, Wheaton
Disposals: Draper 27, Wheaton 18, Pearsons 16, Duke 12, Goss 12
Best: Goad, Draper, Wheaton, Schroder, Duke

Tough day for the young Panthers as Glenelg proves to be too strong in the Under-16s and Under-18s

The Under-18s were coming off the impressive win against Woodville West-Torrens last week with all aspirations of continuing this form against Glenelg.

It was going to be a battle, but the lads were prepared to prove their worth and show why they can be a contending team this season. 

Headed into the first term it was going to be a wet weather tussle. Neither team were able to kick a goal until Glenelg would have two major scores in quick succession.

South’s first major of the game was off of Cohen Shortridge’s boot. Taking a great mark on the back of his defender, took it on and ran toward goal, snapping it through and giving the under-18s the morale boost they were after.

However, before the quarter would end another major was conceded. This is what would start the offensive siege for Glenelg. 

The second term would be unbearable for the Panthers as Glenelg would kick seven goals in the quarter.

Shortridge would kick his second midway through the term as he managed to get his soccer off the deck to trickle through. 

At half time it was clear that the Under-18s needed to lift before it was too late. On a positive note, Sid Draper was putting on a display doing all he could to help in the first half, going on the lead the squad with 27 disposals. 

The reply was needed, and South needed to start making them earn it. Coming out guns blazing in the third term providing two major scores early.

The clearance from the middle was swift and Phoenix Hargrave would hit the ball hard, getting the footy and lining up in range.

The kick was explosive from 45-metres out, giving the panthers a desperately needed major score.

The clock would wind down for a period until Draper would add to his performance with a major score. 

Awarded the free kick after he was pushed in the back from 40-metres out he was lining up for a challenging set-shot. On the tough angle the kick was pure. Giving the squad a glimmer of hope.

But as it transpired Glenelg would go and kick another four major scores before the quarter would close out. 

Looking onto the fourth quarter it was gloomy as it was too far gone, it would have taken a lot to get the job done. 

However, the Panthers went down swinging. Closing the margin significantly after they added four goals. 

Hargrave got his second to go through early, the high ball coming into an open forward line, in a contested scuffle he’d soccer it through while being thrown to the ground. 

Tom Wheaton followed suit from 30-metres after his set-shot was good. Adding onto his great game which saw him finish with 18 disposals. 

Noah Howes would kick both of the next major scores in the dying seconds. First of these was a set-shot from 40-metres out which went straight through the middle. 

Next was another set-shot just above the goal square. The siren going moments after the final goal was kicked.

Glenelg proved to be too strong, giving the Under-18s their third loss of the season.

The next opportunity for the Panthers will come against West Adelaide on the 22^nd.

South Adelaide Under-16 vs Glenelg Under-16
Round 4 - Flinders University Stadium - 15/04/2023

Goals: Edwards 2, Florance, McGarry, Simpson, Voigt, Woods
Disposals: Woods 28, Nye 23, Voigt 18, Florance 16, Simpson 16
Best: Bretones, Woods, Nye, Bird, Voigt

It has been a rough start to the season for the Under-16s and after the loss to Woodville West-Torrens last week it was time to slip the switch and get back into the winners column.

Glenelg would be the next team on the plate ready to give South Adelaide that chance. 

After conceding an early goal the Panthers kicked into gear and replied with some of their own. 

Kodah Edwards started the offensive run after he was awarded the free kick directly in front. Faced with an easy score he followed through and kicked the first Panther goal of the game.

In what felt like an instant the Under-16s where back up forward lining up for goal. Managing to keep the ball in the attacking fifty after the Glenelg kick out the ball landed in Cameron Woods’ hands. 

Faced with the set-shot in front Woods' kick was smooth as silk, going straight through and providing the second major score of the game. 

If the first term wasn’t already good enough the boys would add one more to the tally. As Thomas Simpson would unleash from 40-metres out slotting the third and final goal of the term.

It was a great first quarter and it looked like the boys were locked in with Jesse Nye having a great start, ending on 23 disposals. 

Heading into the second quarter in the lead it was time to add to the lead. After some back and forth action with no major scores Cain Florance broke through.

Taking the contested mark on the slight angle the kick was crisp, providing the fourth major of the game.

This is where the fairy tale begin would come to a screeching halt as Glenelg would start to kick away, with South conceding four goals in quick succession. 

Glenelg back where back in the lead at half time, but it was still anyone’s game to win.

The Under-16s rallied and kicked an early goal at the start of the third term. It came off Kodah Edwards boot, taken high 35-metres it was a tough set-shot, but not for Edwards as his kick was beautiful, providing the much-needed response. 

It wasn’t enough to stop the Glenelg momentum as South were unable to hit the scoreboard again until the dying minutes of the fourth term.

Going on to concede the next six goals of the game. 

In the fourth term Hudson Voigt would add to the total as he demanded the footy close to the goals. Taking the mark, kicking through, and delivering the sixth major of the game.

Jacob McGarry would also kick a late term goal, but it was too late.

After the early efforts it was evident that Glenelg are a force to be wrecking with. 

Cameron Woods would provide 28 disposals on the game doing his best to try and get the boys over the line.

The Under-16s were handed their third loss of the season and West Adelaide are next on the schedule on the April 22.