Round 1 U18 Torrens University Cup Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

West Adelaide showed great resilience to overcome Norwood by 23 points in Round 1 of the U18 Torrens University Cup at Hisense Stadium.

Despite trailing by 18 points at half-time, the Bloods surged in the third quarter to boot 5.1 to the Redlegs’ 1.1, establishing a six-point advantage at the final change.

The hosts – fuelled by Kobe Ryan’s 30 disposals and seven clearances – then slammed on six goals in the fourth quarter to bank the premiership points as West’s Anthony Munkara kicked four goals.

Norwood’s Max Michalanney, a Crows Next Generation Academy prospect, collected 24 disposals and Tyson Walls 23 while Phoenix Foster booted four goals.

Glenelg made an early statement with its 110-point victory against Woodville-West Torrens at Thebarton Oval.

In a rematch of last year’s U18 Torrens University Cup Grand Final, it was the Bays who turned the tables on the reigning premier by piling on 24 goals, including 13 after half-time.

New skipper Ben Ridgway didn’t waste time in leading from the front with 31 disposals, eight clearances and three goals while Hayden Brokensha and Tom Corcoran each had 30 possessions as Ashton Moir booted five majors.

Highly-rated Eagles pair Adam D’Aloia and Mattaes Phillipou worked hard to accumulate 49 disposals and 13 clearances between them but it wasn’t enough to stem the Tiger tide.

North Adelaide got its 2022 campaign off to a bright start with a 69-point triumph against Central District at X Convenience Oval.

Engineering 21 more inside 50s than the Bulldogs, the Roosters were quick to establish a 22-point lead at the first change before increasing it to a commanding 46 points at half-time.

Rooster Billy Dowling put in an impressive performance with 29 disposals, three goals and eight tackles while Max Blacker kicked four goals to go with his 20 disposals and six marks.

Central received solid service from Trent Tattoli, who had 27 disposals, five tackles and a goal while teammate Sebastian Wauer collected 26 possessions.

A seven-goal haul from Chad Reschke was a highlight of Sturt’s eye-catching 76-point win against South Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium.

The Double Blues’ key forward kicked the opening two goals of the game before tallying 12 disposals and six marks as his team shocked the Panthers, who managed just two behinds in the first term.

Sturt midfielders Cormac Dwyer (29 disposals, three goals) and Lach Rawlinson (27 disposals, one goal) got things moving for the visitors, who also had Ben Spehr kick three majors.

South’s Angus Bradley did everything in his power to help his side, finishing with 24 disposals, two goals, nine marks and five clearances while Charlie Duncan chalked up 24 disposals and 10 marks.