Round 1 Torrens University SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

A perfectly-timed volley from South Adelaide midfielder Sid Draper wasn’t enough as a desperate Norwood held on for a gritty one-point win in Round 1 of the Torrens University SANFL U18 competition.

Just one minute after teammate Jack Delean converted an eye-catching mark at Flinders University Stadium, Draper put the Panthers within the barest of margins in the 17th minute of the final term with his solo effort to make the Socceroos proud.

But the late-game heroics from the hosts couldn’t produce a remarkable victory as the Redlegs – led by Kade Maddigan (three goals) and Eamonn Cronin – hung tough to escape with the premiership points.

Cronin finished with 23 disposals and nine tackles while Jacob Newton tallied a game-high 26 possessions and five clearances for the visitors.

Delean was South’s only multiple goal kicker with two while midfielder Phoenix Hargrave (19 disposals, one goal) and captain Nicholas Schroder also battled hard for the hosts.

Central District overcame a slow start to record a confidence-boosting 12-point win against reigning premier Glenelg at X Convenience Oval.

Despite only managing one goal in the opening quarter en route to trailing by 16 points at the first change, the Bulldogs quickly got themselves back into the contest by booting 5.1 in the second stanza.

But it was the third term which proved pivotal as the hosts slammed on 5.2 while holding the Tigers to just 2.0 to set up the victory.

Bulldog Sebastian Wauer was everywhere to register 30 disposals, six marks and two goals while Samuel Sibbick and Riley McDonald were also prominent as teammate Tallan Rosenzweig booted four goals.

Glenelg excitement machine Ashton Moir, in line for League selection this week, did his chances of promotion no harm by booting 4.3 from 18 disposals and 10 marks.

Tigers Charlie McAuliffe and Bodie Ryan were also solid contributors but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Central’s tenacity.

A barnstorming 10-goal first half propelled Sturt to an impressive 39-point win against North Adelaide at Thebarton Oval.

Making the most of a significant inside 50 advantage of 51 to 36 for the match, the Double Blues did the damage in the second term by piling on 6.1 to the Roosters’ 1.2, opening up a 40-point lead at half-time.

From there, Sturt cruised home as captain George Pope (16 disposals), crafty Wil Thomas (16 disposals, two goals) and dashing Alex Holt (26 disposals) were all influential in the result.

Promising North midfielder Kane McAuliffe – a member of the AFL Academy – racked up a match-high 28 disposals and five clearances while teammate Henry Wicks chimed in nicely with 22 possessions and two goals.

Woodville-West Torrens made an early statement with a percentage-boosting 78-point win against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

Restricting the Bloods to just one goal across the first three quarters, the Eagles showed off their potency as an astonishing 12 players logged their name on the goal scorers list.

Eagle Patrick Toole shone with 20 disposals, 10 marks and two goals while Rome Burgoyne, the son of Port premiership player Peter Burgoyne, tallied 27 disposals and 10 marks.

Sebastian Menta (three goals) headed a group of five players booting multiple majors for the visitors.

West’s Oscar Talbot, Bailey White and Carter Wright were praised by Bloods officials for their spirit in trying to stem the tide.