Round 18 U18 Torrens University Cup Wrap

By ZAC MILBANK

West Adelaide gained plenty of confidence after winning its U18 Torrens University Cup semi-final dress rehearsal against South Adelaide by 18 points at Hisense Stadium.

Set to face the Panthers in Saturday’s First Semi-Final at ACH Group Stadium, the Bloods came from a 26-point deficit to claim victory in their final minor round match of the season.

West’s Kobe Ryan was instrumental in the result with 24 disposals and three goals while Charlie Pridham (25 disposals) and Jesse Thackeray (23 disposals) again found plenty of the ball.

South’s Lachlan Hayes finished with a team-high 31 possessions and Cooper Rogers had 26 as Koby Cockshell nailed four majors for the visitors.

Woodville-West Torrens tuned up for its finals campaign with a comprehensive 68-point win against Central at X Convenience Oval.

Winning the inside 50m count 55 to 27, the Eagles put the Bulldogs on the back foot early with a seven-goal first quarter as they look to face Glenelg in Saturday’s Second Semi-Final.

Eagles Brock Thomson (28 disposals) and Jay Watson (27 disposals) led the way statistically as Jonte Hunter-Price, Dustin Launer and Will Pearce each booted three goals.

Central’s Thomas Clements finished his season on a personal high with 36 disposals and 11 marks as Cody Gilchrist and Finn Reed kicked two goals apiece.

Minor premier Glenelg overcame its slow start to trump Norwood by 58 points at The Parade.

The Tigers – set to play the Eagles in Saturday’s Second Semi-Final – only led by three points at the first change before an eight-goal second term changed the complexion of the contest.

Tiger Darcy Gluyas was everywhere for his 38 disposals, five tackles and five clearances as Will Wiseman and Lachie Burtt contributed three goals each.

Redlegs Jayden Gale and Alastair Lord both collected 21 possessions and kicked a goal but it wasn’t enough to prevent a scoreless fourth quarter for the hosts.

North Adelaide overwhelmed Sturt by 27 points in its final match of the season at Prospect Oval.

Earning a massive 156 more disposals than the Double Blues, the Roosters gained control of the game in the third term before taking a 20-point lead into the last change.

Rooster Harvey Harrison had the ball on a string to tally 34 disposals and 10 clearances while William Dowling had 30 and forward Adam Heath kicked three goals.

Sturt’s Alex Holt accumulated 26 disposals while teammate Jake Aish recorded 16 disposals and two goals in his team’s last outing for 2021.