Torrens University SA U18 Team defeated by Victoria Metro

By ZAC MILBANK

The Torrens University SA Under-18 Team hit a hurdle in the form of Victoria Metro on Saturday, succumbing to its arch-rival by 17 points at Alberton Oval.

Coming off a gutsy 11-point win against Western Australia in Game 1, the Croweaters were overwhelmed by the visitors who led at every change and the majority of key statistics categories including disposals, inside 50s and scoring shots.

SA scored its opening goal when South Adelaide pair Darnell Tucker and Daniel Sladojevic combined 10 minutes into the first quarter.

But the hosts went without a major until Sturt’s Jed McEntee intercepted an errant defensive pass from the Big V to nail his set shot from 40m.

Despite the goal drought, Vic Metro’s inaccurate kicking for goal left the door open for a Croweater comeback.

With Eagle Harry Schoenberg playing a fine role through the midfield with 29 disposals, seven marks and seven tackles, SA closed the gap to one straight kick when Luke Edwards shimmied around his opponent before kicking an eye-catching checkside goal.

But the Big V powered away yet again and was able to hold on for its opening win of the carnival despite SA outscoring it by three goals to one in the last quarter.

North’s Karl Finlay again played a strong game in defence for SA while Sturt pair Jordan Shute and McEntee were other key contributors along with Jackson Mead who finished with 25 disposals and nine tackles.

Glenelg’s Brady Searle impressed in his first game of the carnival, booting a team-high two goals and producing a gutsy smother during the second term.

VICTORIA METRO  1.4  3.9  8.10  9.13 (67) 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA  1.2   1.3  4.4  7.8 (50)

LEADING DISPOSALS – SA: Schoenberg 29, Mead 25, Shute 19, Edwards, McEntee, Stephens, Magor 18.

GOALS – SA: Searle 2, Sladojevic, McEntee, Tucker, Edwards, Grivell.