SANFL U18 Preliminary Final Match Wrap

By ZAC MILBANK 

Sturt displayed tremendous persistence to produce a spirited 14-point come-from-behind victory against Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL U18 Preliminary Final at Thomas Farms Oval. 

The Double Blues scored the first behind of the match but from there, the Eagles took control on the scoreboard to lead at every change against the minor premier.

Eagle Logan Hughes kicked truly inside the opening two minutes of the fourth quarter to open up a 14-point advantage as the visitors appeared headed for an upset victory.

But Sturt soon steadied with consecutive majors to captain Noah Roberts-Thomson and Jack Nelson, closing its deficit to just two points in the seventh minute.

Tall Double Blues forward Ivan Wilkinson put his side in front with his third goal inside the opening 10 minutes of the final term before skipper Roberts-Thomson sealed the deal with his second of the quarter to ensure his team finished full of running.

Sturt – which dominated the inside 50 entries 57-38 – listed Roberts-Thomson as its best performer while rebounding defender Jett Dahlitz, Nelson, Nick Mitchell and Wilkinson were also important contributors.

Sturt will now prepare to square off against West Adelaide in the SANFL U18 Grand Final on Sunday at Adelaide Oval from 12pm.

The Eagles were powered by Mitchell Harris, Lachlan Marshall-Bates, Jack Cook, Lachlan Sands and Zane Peucker, with Jack Slattery their only multiple goal kicker with two.