U16 & U18 Match Report: Round 1 vs Sturt

A Nail-Biting Win and a Bitter Loss: South Adelaide U18s suffered a 76-point defeat and the U16s claimed a 1-point win against Sturt at Flinders University Stadium on Sunday.

Kicking off their seasons with very different results; the Panther under-18s were up against the wall for the majority of their 6.7 (43) to 18.11 (119) defeat while under-16s won their match with the final kick of the day, 10.16 (76) to 11.9 (75).

In the under-18s match, Angus Bradley was busy. He finished with 24 disposals and 6 tackles, both of which were a team-high for the game. Bradley also booted 2 goals.

Also impressive was Charlie Duncan, who had 24 touches and 10 marks, while Khori Mills-Richardson had 10 touches and kicked 2 goals.

However, despite having some strong contributors the Panther under-18s struggled to get much momentum going throughout the match.

They conceded 6 unanswered goals during the opening term; and trailed 2.4 (16) to 11.6 (72) at halftime.

The boys in the blue and white kept fighting but couldn't claw themselves back into the match as the fast-starting Blues steamed away to register the 6.7 (43) to 18.11 (119) result.

A mention goes to Reschke, who kicked 7 goals for the visitors.

The under-16s match was much closer, with multiple lead changes throughout the match.

Notable performers for South Adelaide included Phoenix Hargrave, who laid 6 tackles and booted 3 goals. Sid Draper was also a standout, finishing with 6 marks and a game-high total of 26 touches.

After trading blows throughout the game, the boys headed into the final break clutching a narrow 2-point lead.

The Double Blues sprung out of the box, booting 3 unanswered goals within the opening 10 minutes of the fourth term – and it looked as if the win was theirs.

However, Benny Barrett stepped up for his team with 2 goals in as many minutes to bring the Panthers to within striking distance.

But a Double Blues goal put the Panthers on the back foot once again.

Trailing by 7 points and with 8 minutes remaining; Hargrave's third major of the day brought the lead to within just 2 points.

Completing a 7-point play, Hargrave scored a behind just minutes to level the match. This then opened the door for Jake Agnew to score the crucial game-winning behind from close range.

This was the final kick of the game as the siren sounded just seconds later – handing the under-16s a thrilling Round One win, 10.16 (76) to 11.9 (75).

South Adelaide's under-16s will look to continue their winning form when they face off against Central District at X Convenience Oval on Saturday, 2 April, from 11:00 am.

Following their match, the under-18s will look to bounce back against the Bulldogs; with the U18s set to take to the field at X Convenience Oval at 1:15 pm.

South Adelaide Under-18 vs Sturt Under-18 
Round 1 - Flinders University Stadium - 27/03/2022

Goals: Bradley, Mills-Richardson 2, Delean, Pearsons 
Best: Duncan, Schroder. Amos, Bradley, Copley

South Adelaide Under-16 vs Sturt Under-16
Round 1 - Flinders University Stadium - 27/03/2022

Goals: Hargrave, 3, Barrett, Jackson 2, Borlace, Cartwright, Goss 
Best: Draper, Hargrave, Shortridge, Goss, Roberts