South Adelaide Under-18 @ Sturt Under-18
Round 9 - Wigan Oval - 27/05/2023

Goals: Howes 3, Hargrave, Shortridge 2, Brolace, Oliver 
Disposals: Hargrave 24, Draper 22, Pearsons 19, Oliver 17, Sterzl 17
Best: Hargrave, Schroder, Howes, Oliver, Draper

The Under-16s have a tough day down at Wigan Oval while the Under 18s get the upper hand against Sturt in consecutive rounds.

In round 8 the South Adelaide Under-18s were too much for Sturt to handle. As it transpired the same contest would take place in round 9 with much more on the line.

At Wigan Oval in dreary conditions the contest was set and the Under-18s were looking to make their presence known.

It was a slow start for South as they would allow Sturt to kick the first set of major scores. 

It began to click as the work around the ground became more efficient and it wasn’t long before the Panthers responded.

Cohen Shortridge showing off his skill, getting the outlet handball while on the run and lining up from 30-metres out. 

In the time between the next major score, it was clear the Under-18s were getting their claws into this contest as Phoenix Hargrave started to accumulate the ball, ending the contest with 24 disposals and 8 marks.

Before the quarter would close it was Shortridge once again showing off the goal kicking ability. Playing on and unleashing from 50-metres out, the kick was pure, and the lead began to build.

In the second quarter the effort needed to be maintained as it was far from over, fortunately, Hargrave started well as his set shot on the boundary from 45-metres out was incredible. Giving the panthers a massive lift.

It became a back-and-forth affair in the second term as Sturt would reply, the Under-18s fought hard hitting the contests, especially Blake Rodrigues as he would end with 9 tackles for the day. 

It was the Panthers who persevered through the drought as Ryan Borlace secured a late goal after the advantage was taken after a contest up the ground, getting free from his man and kicking his first. 

With a commanding 13-point lead headed into the second half the work rate needed to stay at the level it was sitting. 

In the third term it was a tussle once again as the conditions began to bother both sides.

Hargrave kicked his second goal early in the quarter, while on the run he would receive a leading handball, turning on the jets and unleashing from 50-metres out.  

As the quarter progressed it was clear Sturt weren’t going to give it up without a fight as they went on and kicked two quick goals.

It the dying seconds of the third term Noah Howes kicked a fantastic goal from 20-metres out tight against the boundary line. 

In the lead by a slim 11-points it was either teams contest to win.

As it played out the Under-18s fought hard till the very end and would leave the double blues in the dust.

Sebastian Oliver starting the charge as his goal was superb, taking a great grab and playing on, getting past his defender, and securing his first of the day.

The writing was on the wall as Sturt only managed to kick one more goal. 

Howes went on to finish his great game with two more major scores, leaving him with three on the day. 

It was a tight contest but the Under-18s prevailed against Sturt once again.

Looking ahead to Round 10 the inform Panthers will go up against North Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday the 3^rd of June at 1:15 pm in the annual Sammy D Foundation Match. 

South Adelaide Under-16 @ Sturt Under-16
Round 9 - Wigan Oval - 27/05/2023

Goals: Voigt 2, Duffield, Edwards, Renshaw, Savage, Van Dyk
Disposals: Woods 23, Nye 20, Florance 17. Edwards 15, Voigt 15
Best: Woods, Nye, Florance, Duffield, Voigt

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After a week break the Under-16s were looking fresh and ready to take on Sturt once again in round 9. 

Looking to make it two wins in a row against the double blues the young guns were going to have to battle hard it overcast conditions.

In the first quarter it was crucial to have the panther presence be known. The boys delivered as they were looking great around the stoppages and making sure to get the ball forward effectively. 

The work paid off early as Archie Van Dyk would get an outlet pass 30-metres away from goal, reacting quickly and kicking the ball through for the first major score of the day.

Sturt were struggling with the South Adelaide pressure all quarter as they would only have 5 points at the end of it while the panthers would secure another major late. 

Max Savage provided the crucial goal after he was awarded a free kick directly in front from 15-metres out. 

It seemed that South were all over them at the start of the second term as Hudson Voigt secured his first within moments of the quarter. Navigating himself through a flurry of opposition players and kicking a great goal while under the pump. 

Sturt kicked into gear after this and would go on and kick three major scores, putting the Panthers down by 3 points headed into the second half. 

Despite the deficit the Under-16s still looked strong and weren’t going to give up easily. 

The third term started off poorly as Sturt kicked a goal within the first minute of the quarter. This started a run which would result in two more major scores being kicked against South. 

It was obvious that a lift was needed as the ball usage became scrappy. Thankfully two major scores would be delivered in the latter half of the quarter. 

Kodah Edwards doing well to split his defenders and read the kick out perfectly, leaving him with an open look at goal. 

Voigt came in clutch as the quarter was ending as he would kick a magnificent set shot on a slight angle from 25-metres out. 

It was going to be a massive task to get the win in this contest as the Under-16s were unable to clear the ball effectively from the centre contest. 

Elliott Duffield kicked an early goal as he would read the ball well from a contest, snapping the ball through for his first.

Despite another major score late from Thomas Renshaw it wasn’t enough to get the job done as Sturt were to dominant in their attacking fifty. 

In the loss, Cameron Woods put on another great display having 23 disposals while Cain Florance battled hard with 7 tackles. 

Round 10 will see the Under-16s face off against North Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday the 3^rd of June at 11:00am.