Semi Final SANFL U18 Match Wraps

West Adelaide will have the chance to break an 11-year SANFL U18 premiership drought after upsetting minor premier Sturt by 13 points in the Second Semi-Final at Thomas Farms Oval.

Bursting out of the blocks by booting the opening four goals of the contest, the Bloods led by a match-high 25 points when key forward Mitchell Marsh kicked truly in the first minute of the second term.

The Double Blues weren’t able to register their first major until Jonah Lagana saluted in the fifth minute of the second stanza as they set about closing the early gap.

As Westies led at every change, they pushed their advantage back out to four goals on three occasions before the hosts made a late desperate bid when U16 wingman Taj Garrett kicked his second major in the 19th minute of the fourth quarter.

It brought Sturt within eight points more than six minutes to play but a steadying goal to West’s Oliver Charlesworth in the 21st minute ensured his team will compete for its first SANFL U18 flag since 2014.

Bloods ruckman Lincoln Pitt was rated as his team’s best with 14 disposals, six marks, two clearances and 23 hit outs while Fletcher Dillon and Joseph Raphael also played their roles well.

Marsh finished with a game-high three goals while West teammates Diego Bueti and Lucas White kicked two each.

The Double Blues will now turn their attention to a Preliminary Final encounter with Woodville-West Torrens next Saturday.

Talls Gillon Wakelin (21 disposals, eight marks) and Blake Thredgold battled hard for Sturt, together with Sam White (15 disposals).

Garrett (16 disposals, two goals) and Harvey Chapman (23 disposals, 15 marks) displayed their elite qualities to perform admirably despite being eligible to play SANFL U16s.

Woodville-West Torrens displayed its fighting qualities to keep its SANFL U18 season alive with a thrilling five-point win against Central District in the First Semi Final at Thomas Farms Oval. 

The reigning premier trailed at quarter-time and half-time but refused to concede as captain Jevan Phillipou got the Eagles within two points with his goal six minutes into the third quarter.

Central, playing without Aidan Schubert who was called up to make his Hostplus SANFL League debut, fought back to push its advantage back out to 11 points on the back of a goal to Danyle Dobie in the 19th minute.

But the Eagles pinched the lead on the verge of three quarter-time thanks to Jack Mumford, holding a one-point buffer at the final change.

The Eagles looked home when Brock Jamieson kicked his second in the 22nd minute of the final term but the Dogs’ Jack Ryan helped his side make a desperate bid with a goal in the 25th minute, trimming the deficit to four points.

It wouldn’t be enough though as the Eagles held on despite having seven fewer inside 50s for the match.

Eagles Jack Cook (32 disposals, seven clearances) and Jevan Phillipou (23 disposals, three goals) were significant difference-makers after returning from playing in the Hostplus SANFL League for much of the second half of the minor round.

Mitchell Harris, Jensen Frantz and Ethan Ashley were other Eagles to play their part in securing a Preliminary Final berth against Sturt next Saturday.