The Under-16s have put in the work during the season, and it allowed them to enter a Second Semi-Final with a chance of going straight to the Grand Final, all that was in their way was the top of the table Sturt.

Facing off at Thomas Farms Oval on a windy Saturday afternoon the panthers were looking to get the job done.

Kodah Edwards got the game started with a bang, out the middle the boys would get it forward, in his direction, after a great tackle he would line up and finish his work.

It was a contested quarter as both sides were battling tooth and nail. The Panthers would do well to keep the play in their favour. 

Locking up across the ground and making sure the play was smooth as could be.

Callan Hart would slot one late and allow the Under-16s to head into the second up by 5-points.

The second quarter was absolutely electric, the squad putting on a clinic, Sturt struggling to contain what the boys were bringing.

Cain Florance, Hudson Boal, and Tom Connelly all got on the end of one major while Harrison Davey kicked two back-to-back.

The play out the middle was clean and it was evident this was an emphasis for Panthers.

Nothing was getting in their way, as they looked to build the lead. The boys would have a 35-points by the end of the half putting them in a comfortable position. 

The tables seemingly turned in the third as Sturt begun to match the output of the Panthers, while the Under-16s couldn’t get anything going into the breeze.

After the siren sounded the Under-16s were still in the lead, by 10-points.

With a quarter to play and a spot in the Grand Final was on the line.

Down back has held the Panthers together all day, this didn’t change in the fourth as they locked back in and kept Sturt to a minimal amount of scoring shots.

Zemes Pilot kicked one early in the term, while Florance would kick the final major for the Panthers shortly after.

It was all a matter of keeping the pressure up until the final siren.

When time ran out the Under-16s had got the job done, beating Sturt by 18-points, and locking in their position on that faithful day in September.

Archie Van Dyk was massive in this contest with his 40-disposals and 8 tackles, leading the way and helping get the boys over the line.

With a win in the books, they will look ahead to the Grand Final where they will face the winner of the Preliminary Final between Sturt and North Adelaide. 

The Grand Final will be played at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, September 15 with the time to be announced.