Under-18 Match Report: Round 10 vs Norwood

Under-18 Match Report

South Adelaide vs Norwood
Round 10 - Coopers Stadium - 13/06/2021

Goals: Barrett, Birt, Rodrigues 2, Hoeck, Hogg, Inthavong, Rogers, Treloar
Best: Birt, Bradley, D.Brown, Barrett, Jones, Rodrigues

The South Adelaide Under-18s re-join the top four after recording a hard-fought nine-point win over Norwood at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.

The Panthers, who were trailing by a goal at the final change, managed to hold the Redlegs goalless during the fourth quarter which ensured the tough 11.13 (79) to 10.10 (70) win.

Leading the way for the Panthers was Angus Bradley, whose Round Ten display included 36 disposals, 10 tackles and 8 clearances. Also impressive was Isaac Birt, who finished with 31 touches, 11 marks and 2 goals.

There was not much to separate these two sides throughout the match as the margin at each break was no more than six points. 

Austin Hogg opened the scoring with the first major of the match within the first minute, but the Redlegs would reply with their first only minutes later which would set the tone for the opening term.

In fact, the two sides engaged in a shootout during the opening term as the sides continually traded blows and neither could register back-to-back goals.

With a one-point lead at the first break, the Panthers found some breathing room after Blake Rodrigues registered his first. However, the next major score would come from the Redlegs.

By the seventeenth minute mark of the second term, Rodrigues increased his tally to two for the match and just a minute later, Hugo Hoeck registered his first of the day as the Panthers looked set to break way.

However, two unanswered goals by Norwood to close the first half cut the Panthers lead to just two points.

This is a feat that the home side would replicate during the third term as the Redlegs would once again finish the quarter by kicking two unanswered goals but this time it put the Panthers a goal down at the final break.

With everything to play for during the final term, Tom Barrett evened the scores with his second goal of the day within the first four minutes. Then Birt followed up with his second of the match midway through the fourth quarter.

While they were scoring on the offensive end, the defensive actions of the Panthers were also impressive as the side was able to hold Norwood to only two points during the final term.

After some intense minutes, the siren would sound to signal the hard-fought 11.13 (79) to 10.10 (70) win which also sees the Panthers jump to fourth on the ladder.

The South Adelaide Under-18s will now face off against Sturt at Unley Oval on Saturday, 19 June, from 11:30am. 

Show that you are #SouthProud in 2021!