Round 2 Torrens University Cup Wrap

Sturt and Glenelg are the only two undefeated sides after the opening two rounds with the Tigers securing a 10-point win over South Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday. 

It was a come-from-behind win for Glenelg, with the Panthers twice finding themselves leading by 20-plus points throughout the contest.

South couldn’t shut the door on the Tigers who kept finding a way to erode the deficits in quick succession.

The Panthers kicked the first four goals of the game and got out to a match-high 22-point lead at the 15-minute mark of the opening quarter, before Glenelg kicked five goals in 21 minutes of playing time to take the lead during the second term.

South again responded with four quick goals to take the lead back out to 20 points late in the third term before the Tigers again commenced the rescue mission to boot the final four goals of the match.

Glenelg midfielder and Adelaide Crows father-son prospect Luke Edwards amassed 29 disposals and kicked 1.3 for the Bays, while Panthers midfielder Matthew Roberts led the disposal count with 32 touches, nine tackles and seven clearances in a standout performance.

AFL Academy SA Hub forward Riley Holder proved pivotal for the Tigers with four important goals, also claiming 22 disposals.  His performance was strong enough to be selected as the Round 2 Torrens University Cup MVP.

After kicking three goals in the opening round of the U18 Torrens University Cup season, Sturt forward Morgan Ferres doubled his output against Woodville-West Torrens on Sunday with a bag of six majors. 

Ferres kicked a goal in every quarter of the Double Blues’ 45-point win over the Eagles at Peter Motley Oval to help his team secure a second consecutive win to commence the season.

The tall forward showed his flexibility as he found his goals through strong contested marks, set shots and even taking a running bounce into the goal square.

Ferres’ stats sheet read well as he rounded out the contest with 17 disposals, nine marks (four contested) and 6.2.

The Double Blues’ ball movement proved too quick and skilful for Woodville-West Torrens and the delivery into their tall forward was sublime.

Sturt started sharply and had the first goal on the board six minutes into the game through Archer Bawden, before rounding out the first term with four goals and a 16-point margin.

In a tighter second quarter, the Eagles stemmed the flow before beginning to peg back the lead in the third quarter with three consecutive goals.

Still leading by 25 points at three-quarter time, Sturt owned the last quarter with five goals to one to put the cherry on top of a solid performance.

Ferres had plenty of help from the midfielders with 2020 AFL Academy SA Hub prospect Tom Powell gathering 35 disposals, including 21 handballs, seven clearances and five tackles.

Brad Jefferies also collected 30 disposals for the Double Blues, and Mani Liddy, 29 and a goal.

Powell and Liddy are leading the competition for disposals this season, averaging 32.5 and 28.5 disposals respectively across the opening two rounds.

Max Lister was the leading ball winner for the Eagles with 23 disposals, while another AFL Academy Hub prospect, Caleb Poulter, kicked three goals.

Norwood secured its first win of the season with a 27-point victory over North Adelaide at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.

The Redlegs had the better of a tight first half and were able to capitalise on their opportunities, while the Roosters squandered goal scoring chances.

At half-time, the scoreline read 5.3 to 2.4.

Norwood tall forward Finn Heard played a huge role for his side with four goals, including three after half-time as the Redlegs began to stretch the lead.

Heard managed six scoring shots and seven marks from his nine disposals, he also laid four tackles and helped Nathan Hearing in the ruck with seven hitouts.

Norwood’s Cooper Murley – also an AFL Academy SA Hub member – played an important role through the midfield and forward line with 24 disposals and three goals.

Kallis Freer again led the disposals for North with 25 touches and five clearances, putting together two good performances to start the season.

Central District came storming home against West Adelaide to record a 30-point come-from-behind win over the Bloods at Hisense Stadium on Saturday.

West Adelaide led by 20 points midway through the third term before the Bulldogs kicked eight consecutive goals to close out the match in a flurry.

Michael De Jonge kicked three goals for the victorious team as Central had nine goal scorers.

The Bloods had the better of the contest for the first three quarters and held the lead until Bulldog small Luca Whitelum soccered through a goal at the 10-minute mark of the last quarter.

AFL Academy SA Hub midfielder Bailey Chamberlain was again amongst the possessions for West Adelaide with 24 disposals, six clearances and a goal, as was Austin McDonald who collected 25 disposals and five clearances for the Dogs.