Round 4 Torrens University SANFL U18 Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood has positioned itself nicely on the Torrens University SANFL U18 ladder with a fighting seven-point win against Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Moving to a 3-1 win-loss record while also ensuring the Eagles fell to 1-3, the Redlegs were forced to work hard in the last term to stave off a Patrick Weckert-inspired comeback.

Highly-regarded AFL prospect Weckert, playing his first U18 match this season after lining up in the Hostplus SANFL League, booted two of his four goals in the final term to cut his team’s deficit to one-point inside the opening 10 minutes.

But key Redleg Will Rowlands had other ideas as he booted his third goal to push his side’s advantage back out beyond a goal, the last major kicked in the contest.

Rowlands was outstanding with his three goals coming from 22 disposals and five marks while Jacob Jones (22 disposals, 10 tackles) and Riley Kirchhofer (19 disposals) were also influential.

Weckert finished with 18 disposals and six marks to be shaded by Eagles ruck Tom Luck (21 disposals, seven clearances, 27 hit outs) and Callum Fairall (24 disposals) on the best players’ list.

A sensational seven-goal second term set up Glenelg’s impressive 43-point win against South Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium.

Leading by 13 points at the first change, the Tigers put on the after-burners to boot seven goals without a miss while restricting the Panthers to 1.2 for the second stanza.

It proved to be an incredible display of efficiency inside the Bays’ forward half considering the hosts had five more inside 50 entries for the match.

Bays playmaker James Dutton led the charge for his side with 16 disposals, seven marks and five goals while Izayah Kean (14 disposals) and Harry Francis (16 disposals, two goals) made their touches count.

South ruck Taylor Goad (25 hit outs), prime midfielder Sid Draper (27 disposals, one goal) and Tom Wheaton (18 disposals, one goal) did their best to haul their side back into the contest.

Central District’s Trent Tattoli was a driving force behind his team’s comfortable 65-point win against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

A member of the Torrens University SA U18 squad, Tattoli showed why as he found the ball with ease on the way to registering 39 disposals, 12 marks, four tackles and four clearances while also hitting the scoreboard with two goals.

His dominance played a part in the Bulldogs allowing the Bloods to score just one goal across the first three quarters as James Noack and Will McCabe (23 disposals, seven marks) were other key contributors in the victory.

West’s Sam Burbridge (29 disposals, seven clearances) flew the flag in the midfield for the hosts while Charlie Haysman (23 disposals) and Oscar Talbot (17 disposals) did their best to stem the tide.

Sturt’s staying-power was a key feature in its come-from-behind seven-point win against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

The Roosters were seemingly headed toward securing the premiership points when Tom Tasker kicked truly to open up a 13-point advantage in the 10th minute of the fourth quarter.

But from here, the hosts could only manage one more behind as Double Blues’ goalsneaks Ben Spehr and Connor Mills booted consecutive majors during the start of time-on to secure a memorable triumph.

Sturt’s stoppage-winner Kobee Dabinett was adjudged his side’s strongest performer with 22 disposals and eight clearances while Brodie Maloney and Ted Newman were also hailed by the Double Blues’ coaching staff.

North’s Henry Turner (19 possessions), Jed Dignan (23 disposals, six clearances) and Tasker (16 disposals, two goals) put their side in a strong position to win but ultimately, the Roosters were left to rue their final 10 minutes of footy.