U18s Report

South Adelaide vs Sturt
Round Nine - Hickinbotham Oval - 22/05/16

Goals: L. Fitt 3, A. Baker, N. Scanlan, C. Helyar, N. Beenham
Best: J. Tylliss, H. Bruce, J. McKinnon, J. Fitzgerald, T. Coleman, L. Fitt

With the U18's improving every week this week's game against Sturt always promised to be a close one. For the third week in a row trying weather conditions, a strong North Westerly, was going to be a test to see which team would handle it the best.

Kicking against the wind in the first quarter meant the boys needed to switch on early. We were able to run and carry the ball up to provide many opportunities for our forwards. Nick Scanlan's run off the wing to receive the ball inside set us up for our first goal and gave us a confident start. Unfortunately some errant kicking had us at 1.4 at quarter time while Sturt took a couple of big shots at the goals with the wind that sailed through giving them 4.1.

However, our work rate and skill showed that we were going to be in the game as long as we could stick with our game plan.

The second quarter wasn't exactly as we had planned as we allowed Sturt to push the play over to the South Eastern pocket and stop our run. The boys were not as keen to win the hard footy first and we allowed too much run for the opposition. A quick goal at the end of the quarter by Nick Beenham breaking the lines with some pace kept us well in the game and with some confidence going into half time.

Three goals a piece in the second quarter had us still trailing by just under a few goals at the main break.

Once again against a howling wind and some driving rain the lads fought hard. The midfield led well by Joey Tyllis and Henry Bruce ran the ball up with Nick Steele and Liam Fitt giving us many chances to score. Liam's work rate up high and then pushing deep allowed us to impact the scoreboard again.

Sturt still managed a couple of quick goals which hurt us a little but still kept us in touch. Down by just two goals at the final change with the wind in our backs gave us every chance.

The weather getting worse meant the last quarter was going to be a hard slog, but the boys dug in. However, a few key off line kicks and again the tendency to not go in and win the hard ball ourselves in the most dangerous positions hurt us at times.

The boys never gave up though. With 30 seconds to go we still had the ball around 50 metres out and with a chance at a lead-snatching goal. As it turned out the siren beat us yet again. Not winning that hard ball and setting up the play we wanted resulted in a four point deficit at the final siren.

We were again left to rue a poor second quarter and how we let ourselves down with some poor decision making when it counted. With a bye now this week we have the opportunity to re-group and keep working on the positives of our game and our decision making under pressure.

Joey Tyllis and Henry Bruce were good in the middle, Liam Fitt showed his worth up forward with three goals and Jesse McKinnon once again proved his ability and why he will keep growing as a solid defender.

In two weeks time we play the Roosters at Footy Park and will be keen to put in a full four quarter effort on the big deck.

Gavin Riddle
Under 18s Assistant Coach