SANFL U16 Grand Final Preview and Teams

By PETER ARGENT

South Adelaide and Sturt have been the two top teams across the under-16 season, so it’s fitting they are facing off in the premiership decider. The Double Blues finished with 13 wins from the 17 minor round games while the Panthers were one game adrift, both teams with dominant percentages of 60-plus. 

South grabbed direct entry to the decider by beating Sturt by 18 points in the second semi-final at Unley after the Blues had won the previous two clashes between the sides. Sturt bounced back with a 23-point preliminary final win against North Adelaide to earn a rematch.

The Panthers and Blues first clashed in Round 3 at Thebarton Oval, South winning a thriller by four points. But Sturt won comfortably in the next two clashes – by 59 points at Karen Rolton Oval and 49 points at Noarlunga.

South coach Brett Hudson said a grand final on iconic Adelaide Oval was “a huge opportunity for our group and a great experience”. Hudson has been coaching the Panthers since the Covid year of 2020 and snared an under-16 flag in 2021. “Our structures are heavily based around the contest and we have developed our ball movement over the season,” he said. “Our midfield group is one of our strengths.”

South’s midfield features State under-16 captain Kodah Edwards, who on Monday night was presented with the SANFL U16 Best and Fairest Medal and Archie Van Dyk, who finished third for the Medal and amassed a remarkable 40 touches and 10 clearances in the second semi-final. There’s also classy Cain Florance, from Kangaroo Island, and under-16 All-Australian Gus White. Bottom-age talent Zemes Pilot, who has First Nations and African American heritage, brings plenty of X-factor to the table. Pilot (31 goals from the season) and Kody Shortridge (34) represent big dangers to the Blues.

Greg Crowden, has been coaching in various roles in Sturt’s under-16 program since its inception in 2009, said the Blues were “very excited … it’s about taking the opportunity”. The 2015 under-16 team that featured his son Mitch – who was drafted to Fremantle – went through that season undefeated. Returning full-time to Sturt’s development role this year, Greg has resumed as under-16 head coach.

“We have played about 60 players in our program this year, due to our demographics,” said Crowden, noting the Blues were just one player off their best team for the grand final. “A key is we share the load among our playing group.”

Rebounding defender Austin Huxtable has been consistent, while Tom Lindsay and Langhorne Creek’s Griffin James – who played A-grade country football this year – are expected to have an influence. Ryan Davies, Ivan Wilkinson and Naite Slade – son of eight-time Central District premiership star Matthew – are top-agers who are worth keeping an eye on. Sturt’s under-15 contributors to the team this year include Harvey Chapman in defence, Taj Garrett on a wing, Mitchell Brook, Will Buckingham, Oliver Easton and Carter Gallasch.

Like the nailbiting first clash of the year between these sides, expect the grand final to be decided late in the contest.

For the under-16 grand final team lists and preview grab this week’s Football Budget, available at Adelaide Oval.

Sunday September 15 | Adelaide Oval

South Adelaide v Sturt | 9:20am | Live stream on SANFL Now

SOUTH

F: Zemes Pilot, Brodie Bretones, Hudson Boal

HF: Cain Florance, Callan Hart, Kody Shortridge

C: Noah Farley, Angus White, Ethan Sheppard

HB: Kai Clark, Harrison Davey, Tommy Saunders

B: Kai Sharpe, Otis Althorp, Noah Mulkerin

R: Mitchell Clifton, Kodah Edwards, Archie Van Dyk

INT: Archer Price, Tyler Lock, Tyson Steinmuller, Jackson Blacker, Judd Cleggett, Ashley Lamshed, Oliver Inthavong, Cooper Knowles, Tom Connelly

STURT

F: Gallasch, R. Davies, James

HF: Werts, Wilkinson, Slade

C: Garrett, Mills, Dixon

HB: Huxtable, Mathews-Hampton, Moyse

B: Barnard, Estcort-Hughes, Nichols

R: Lagana, J. Davies, Nelson

INT: Buckingham, Lindsay, Ekberg, Jaeschke