Torrens University SA U16 Team edged out by Victoria Metro

By ZAC MILBANK

The Torrens University SA U16 Team succumbed to Victoria Metro by three points in a thrilling NAB AFL National Championships Game 2 encounter at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday. 

Without captain Sid Draper, who fractured his thumb in the Game 1 victory against Western Australia, the Croweaters displayed plenty of heart to run down the Big V only to fall short after the final siren.

Trailing by 19 points at three-quarter time, SA’s Kade Herbert had a chance to put his team in front with a 40m set shot but his kick sailed to the right in the slippery conditions on the Gold Coast.

Leading by 13 points at half-time, the Croweaters will be left to lament their third-quarter performance which ultimately cost them victory as Victoria Metro piled on 5.3 to SA’s three behinds.

Key forward Charlie West and ruck Tom Luck defied the challenging weather to be SA’s most influential players, West kicking four of the Croweaters’ nine goals.

West hit the scoreboard with two goals in the first term, making the most of a lovely pass from Wil Thomas to open his account in the 13th minute.

The bigman from Woodville-West Torrens then displayed his team-first nature in the second quarter by handballing into space for Louie Montgomery to run into an open goal for his second major.

West then kicked SA’s final two goals of the game in the last term, riding a heavy bump to kick truly on the run from 30m to bring his side within three points with three minutes to play.

Luck finished with nine disposals, three marks and 21 hit outs – five more than the entire Victoria Metro team.

SA midfielders Phoenix Hargrave (20 disposals, 10 inside 50s) and  Lucas Camporeale (21 disposals), who was acting captain in the absence of Draper, gave their side plenty of scoring opportunities after working hard up the ground.

Tall defender Will McCabe played an admirable role in the back half, often reading the play to be in front of his opponent while Thomas was energetic in his role as small forward, finishing with 12 disposals, three marks, four tackles and his first-quarter goal assist to West.

The Torrens University SA U16 Team will now prepare for its third and final game of the NAB AFL National Championships against Victoria Country on Saturday at Thebarton Oval.

Victoria Metro  2.2  3.7  8.12  9.14 (68)

South Australia  3.1  6.2  6.5  9.11 (65)

BEST – SA: Charlie West, Tom Luck, Phoenix Hargrave, Lucas Camporeale, Will McCabe, Wil Thomas

GOALS – SA: Charlie West 4, Louie Montgomery 2, Phoenix Hargrave, Ned Atkinson, Beau Ryan