Under-18 Match Report: Round 4 vs Centrals

Under-18 Match Report

South Adelaide vs Centrals
Round 4 - Flinders University Stadium - 24/04/2021

Goals: Draper 3, Pilmore 2, Brown, Cockshell, Hoeck, Mitton, Rogers
Best: Mitton, Draper, Miller, Hayes, Birt, Rogers

South Adelaide Under-18s claim a stunning last-minute win against Central District by three points at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday.

Hugo Hoeck showed his ice-cold composure as he kicked the game winning goal with just 30 seconds left on the clock to claim a 10.11 (71) to 10.8 (68) win for the Panthers.

Luke Mitton was impressive for the Panthers, finishing with 20 disposals and 10 tackles. Also impressive was Arlo Draper who finished with 24 touches and 3 goals.

The Panthers burst out of the box during the opening term, kicking two unanswered goals before the Bulldogs could respond with their own at the twentieth minute mark.

But the Panthers would be forced to hold off the desperate Bulldogs for the duration of the game as the visitors, who would finish with more inside 50s, refused to simply rollover.

Yet the boys from South Adelaide did a good job at keeping the Dogs at arm's length, partly thanks to two first-half goals by Draper.

Leading 5.4 (34) to 4.3 (27), the Panthers looked to have finally broken away from the Bulldogs as Cooper Rogers registered his first of the match while Bailey Pilmore kicked his second of the day.

Yet, as would be the theme for most of the match the Bulldogs fought back and, after kicking two unanswered goals to end the third term, had cut the Panthers lead to just eight points.

Mitton opened the scoring during the final term to hand the Panthers a healthy buffer, but the Bulldogs responded with two goals in two minutes to bring the lead back down to within a straight kick.

With just six minutes left, Draper helped steady the Panthers with his third major of the match but once again, the Bulldogs kicked two in two minutesthis time taking the lead.

As the game entered its final minute, the Panthers dashed through the centre before letting the ball fly into the forward 50. This put the Bulldogs defence under immense pressure, which ultimately led them to give away a free.

Hoeck went back and with thirty seconds left on the clock, kicked truly to hand the Panthers the win with the final kick of the match, 10.11 (71) to 10. 8 (68).

South Adelaide Under-18s now turn their attention towards Norwood, and they will clash with the Redlegs at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, 1 May, from 11:30am.

Show that you are #SouthProud in 2021!