Mixed emotions for the South Adelaide Juniors as the U18s claimed a big win while the U16s suffered a tough loss during their games against Central District at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday.

The Panther under-18s were highly efficient as they stormed home to claim a 59-point win, 18.8 (116) to 9.3 (57). The under-16s on the other hand struggled to get things going during their bitter 32-point loss, 4.13 (37) to 10.9 (69).

The under-18s clash began with a hotly contested shootout. By the time the quarter-time siren rang, the sides had kicked a combined total of 9 goals – but most importantly, the Panthers sat with a promising 7-point lead.

Amazingly, after the thirteenth-minute mark of the opening term, the Panthers kicked 10 unanswered goals to break the game wide open. By the time the Bulldogs brought South’s scoring spree to an end – which happened 7 minutes into the third term – the Panthers had opened up a 60-point lead.

It was a huge team effort by the boys in the blue and white. With 9 names on the Panthers’ scoresheet, 7 of whom kicked 2 or more goals. Among the standouts for the under-18s were Blake Rodrigues, who had 18 disposals and 14 tackles; Jack Delean, who had 22 disposals and 2 goals; and Austin Hogg, who finished with 27 disposals and 6 clearances.

Will Verrall – having spent a couple of weeks with the Panther Reserves – made a notable impact on the side with his 21 hit-outs, 17 disposals, and 3 goals. 

The earlier match between the Panther under-16s and Central District ended differently. In that match, a slow start saw the Panthers trail by 27 points at the first break, 0.2 (2) to 4.5 (29).

And from there, the Bulldogs managed to hold this margin throughout the match.

The Panthers mounted a mini-comeback during the final term. The side registered 7 consecutive scoring shots – however, only 2 of them were major scores. The siren would sound not long after to signal the 4.13 (37) to 10.9 (69) defeat.

Highlights from the match included the performance of Cohen Shortridge (28 disposals, 8 marks, 6 tackles) and Alan Singh (11 disposals and 9 tackles).

The Panther Juniors will be in action again on Saturday, 9 July, at ACH Group Stadium, when they face off against Glenelg. The under-16s will kick things off at 11:00am, and the under-18s will then follow from 1:15pm. 

South Adelaide Under-18 vs Central District Under-18
Round 12 - Flinders University Stadium - 2/07/2022

Goals: Oliver, Verrall 3, Christophers, Churchill, Delean, Kerr, Pilmore 2, Ross, Smith 
Best: Verrall, Daniell, Hogg, Rodrigues, Delean
 

South Adelaide Under-16 vs Central District Under-16
Round 12 - Flinders University Stadium - 2/07/2022

Goals: Delean, Sterzl, Carman, Sinclair
Best: Singh, Jackson, Papworth, Sheean, Sterzl