Torrens University SANFL U16 Preliminary Final Match Wrap

By TOM WYMAN

An eight-goal haul to Aidan Schubert helped Central District defeat West Adelaide by 44 points at X Convenience Oval to progress to the Torrens University SANFL U16 Grand Final next Sunday.

After a tense beginning, Bulldog Schubert broke the stalemate at the ten-minute mark of the first quarter, then nailed two in as many minutes to give the home side an 18-point advantage at the first change.

Patrick Amber got the Bloods on the board just 26 seconds after the break, then Jonty Klemm kicked truly to close the margin.

Schubert kicked his fourth to stem the flow, but not before a run of three Bloods’ goals in four gave the visitors their first lead of the game.

Bulldog Hayden Henke slotted his first before the half-time siren and Central entered the main break with a one-point lead.

It was the Leray and Schubert show in the third quarter as Central ran riot, with Matthew Leray and the unstoppable Schubert nailing three each.

West simply had no answers for the Bulldogs, who controlled the term with their kick-mark game and put the Bloods’ defence under immense pressure.

Ahead by 37 points at the last change, it was going to take a monumental effort for the Bloods to mount a final charge, and Schubert swiftly extended the margin by slotting his eighth.

Central was a clear winner and will now turn its attention to Sturt, in next Sunday’s Grand Final at Adelaide Oval.

Prolific Central midfielder Dyson Sharp finished with 33 disposals and nine clearances, while Dougie Cochrane (29 disposals and 13 marks) and Joshua Reichelt (27 disposals and seven rebound-50s) also stood tall.

For West, Jaylen Sochacki accumulated a team-high 34 disposals and Amber finished with 23 disposals and seven clearances.