It has been a tough few weeks for the Under-18s as they have been struggling to get back into the winner’s column.

Against North Adelaide in Round 14, the boys were faced with a tough challenge to get back into winning form.

In the first term, it was less than ideal, as North got forward and kicked away early. In the midst of the flurry, Jake Agnew tried to stop the bleeding with his first major of the day.

Around the ground it was tough to get around freely, all passages closed up early as the pressure was smothering.

The end of the quarter came around and the boys were down by 26-points.

In the second, the side looked to turn it around as they would play with more precision, leading to a better quarter.

Agnew kicked his second before the first minute ticked down, setting up the Under-18s with some confidence early.

Cohen Shortridge followed this up shortly after with his pure kick, doing well to kick another later in the term.

It was notable that the defensive pressure was a point of emphasis, as they did well to mitigate the run of North early.

With that, the opposition did well to get around this and apply some scoreboard pressure, limiting the effect the boys had early.

Ryan Borlace would kick one late to relieve the pressure but by the end of the half, the boys were still down by 21-points.

In the third, the Panthers would struggle as North were getting their momentum.

Benjamin Dittmar would sneak around and slot two majors, allowing him to make his presence known. Providing great pressure in the process of doing this.

The opposition were too strong making it tough to comeback, with every contest being an absolute battle.

It was a 41-point deficit with a quarter to play and it was seemingly out of hand.

Unfortunately, the damage was done. Dittmar was solid enough to get his third, this being the only South score as he kept up the laser accuracy of the contest with no minor scores recorded in this game.

North was smothering with their play, and it made it hard for the Under-18s to operate, doing well in the air and making it a challenge for the defenders to stop.

Jacob Sheean was great with his 19 disposals, making use of his time with the football.

Going down by 59-points in the contest was a crushing blow but all the Under-18s could do was look forward to next week.

They will play North Adelaide once again on Saturday the 20^th at Flinders University Stadium in an 11:00am timeslot.

The Under-16s were fresh off a tough loss and were looking to rebound strong against North Adelaide in Round 13.

In the first term, the boys were adjusting, struggling to stop the run North were generating. Despite this, the backline held up well and managed to keep the game close.

Kody Shortridge got forward early and made his presence known with his first major. The game would extend out of the Panther’s favour in this term.

The ball movement was clean, but it was getting cut off, making it difficult for the side. The boys would head into the second down by 12-points.

After the first term, the boys kicked into gear, starting a phenomenal run during the second quarter.

Shortridge would extend on his first quarter and slot three more majors, making it look easy from range and in close proximity.

The opposition were locked up in this quarter, with South collectively keeping the pressure up to an elite level.

Ashley Lamshed and Archer Price also kicked majors in this term to extend the lead even further.

With the offensive came constricting defence, and it was clear the first term bothered the boys because they knew they could play like this all game.

By the end of it, the Under-16s had amassed a 10-point lead headed into the third.

It was a lot of the same type of play in the third, with the Under-16s owning a majority of the play and doing well to make use of their opportunities.

Shortridge was kicking snags once again, as he would slot his fifth and final goal. Judd Cleggett would kick one while Harrison Davey did well up forward with his two majors.

The boys were effective out the middle of the ground, making use of the outlet handball while getting the ball forward by foot, generating run out the back in the process.

North would do well to kick a few late but the boys were adamant on not letting this one slip.

With a 21-point lead in hand, the boys looked to close this one out.

That they did. Although Hunter Williams was the only major scorer for the side, the boys were class around the stoppage.

North would kick a few more bringing the game back into contention, but time would be their enemy.

The Under-16s getting up by 9-points in the contest, Mitch Clifton would lead disposal getters with 25.

Their next game will come against North Adelaide once again, this time at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday the 20^th in a 1:30pm timeslot.