U16 Torrens University Cup Grand Final Teams

U16 Grand Final | Glenelg v Woodville-West Torrens | 4:50pm | Live streamed on SANFL Now and The Advertiser KommunityTV

GLENELG

Betterman, Scannell, McAuliffe, Plews, B. Camporeale, Gluyas, Freckleton, L. Camporeale, Grzyb, Rouvray, Bevan, Ramm, Dutton, Clarke, Gibson, Wilby, Wisneske, McKinnon, Robertson, Disbury, Luke, Rowe, Kuhl, Walters, Haggett, Summerhayes

EAGLES

F: Cook, West, Sumner

HF: Walshaw, Welsh, Edwards

C: Sands, Herbert, Sauer

HB: Burgoyne, Brodie Harris, Hasting

B: Hawker, Delmenico, Bigg

R: Luck, Lucas, Schwarz

INT: Berggren-Levitt, Ebert, Griffiths, Blake Harris, Hughes, Jamieson, Peucker, Phillips, Piggott, Simpson, Thompson, Willmott

Minor premier Glenelg will meet with Woodville-West Torrens on Friday evening at the Adelaide Oval in the Grand Final of the U16 Torrens University Cup.

Season 2022 will be the first time both the U16 and U18 grand finals are showcased as a double-header following the recent expansion of the U16 competition.

Fans of South Australian football will recognise a few of the names running around Adelaide Oval, with Tigers Ben and Lucas Camporeale (sons of former-Eagle Scott Camporeale) and Eagles Rome Burgoyne (son of former-Power premiership player Peter) and Tyler Welsh (son of former-Crow Scott Welsh) all set to play big roles for their respective clubs.

Glenelg and Woodville-West Torrens have met three times throughout the year, with the Eagles claiming the round one encounter by 25 points before the Tigers hit-back to win by 58 points in round five and 55 points in round 14.

The Bays have dominated the U16 competition in recent years, claiming five of the previous six premierships.

In contrast, Woodville-West Torrens coach Darren Hams and captain Jett Hasting will hope to lead the Eagles to an inaugural U16 title.

Hasting, who was deputy vice-captain of the victorious SA U16 team earlier in the year, said his side had endured some ups and downs throughout the season but had hit their straps in recent weeks.

“The boys are up for the challenge, we’ve played Glenelg a few times this season but finals are different games and typically tight contests so we’re looking forward to Friday,” said Hasting.

The Eagles showed glimpses across the home-and-away season but a seven-goal effort from Tyler Welsh saw them overcome North Adelaide in the first week of finals.

Despite Panther Phoenix Hargrave’s herculean effort, the Eagles held off South Adelaide in the preliminary final to advance to the decider.

Woodville-West Torrens on-baller Kade Herbert has enjoyed a strong year at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, averaging 22.5 disposals and 5.8 tackles.

His exceptional form saw him play two U18 games in the middle of the year.

Hard nut Lachlan Lucas was kept to ten disposals against South but will no-doubt be in the thick of it come Friday evening, having averaged 19.2 possessions and a competition-high 6.8 tackles per game.

With both sides possessing strong midfield units, plenty of expectation rests on the shoulders of two of the competition’s premier ruckman – Eagle Tom Luck and Tiger Max Disbury.

The Eagles on-ballers will be looking to give leading goalkicker Tyler Welsh plenty of opportunity on the lead, while Glenelg will target Harry Plews inside-50.

Glenelg was terrific in the back-half of the year, winning seven of the past eight home-and-away games to set up a semi-final with South Adelaide at Brighton Road.

The Tigers prevailed by a goal to head straight through to the title-decider.

Skipper Archer Rouvray said the Bays were eager to get out onto the hallowed Adelaide Oval turf and capitalise on a strong year.

“We started off slowly but we’ve been building nicely as the season progressed and the boys are in good form so we’re ready to go,” said Rouvray.

Rouvray will be joined in the middle by ball-magnet Charlie McAuliffe, who has averaged 26.8 disposals, 5.1 marks and a goal per game in 14 matches.

His football smarts and sheer running power will make it difficult for the Eagles on-ballers to keep him under-wraps. McAuliffe booted three goals and had 25 touches when the Bays last met with Woodville-West Torrens.

Like McAuliffe and Rouvray, Lucas and Ben Camporeale missed part of the year due to college football commitments with Sacred Heart, but have been excellent in Bays colours.

Lucas was a model of consistency for the Tigers, averaging 28.4 disposals at 85% efficiency and 4.5 marks, while Ben averaged 23.3 disposals and 3.6 rebounds across half-back.

Glenelg’s U16 record speaks for itself, having won four of the past five flags, and will ensure they enter as favourites, but if the Eagles’ prime movers can win the midfield battle, the U16 premiership cup could make its first trip to Oval Avenue.