U16 & U18 Match Report: Round 11 vs North Adelaide

The Panther U16s snatched the top spot while the U18s fell hard: there were mixed results from South Adelaide’s trip to Prospect Oval to face North Adelaide on Saturday.

The Panther Under-16s kicked off the weekend’s action in style with a comprehensive thumping of the then top-placed Roosters. This 79-point win, 21.9 (135) to 8.8 (56), has seen the Panthers leapfrog the Roosters into the top spot.

Unfortunately, the Panther Under-18s faired much worse during their match against the Roosters; as they fell to a bitter 74-point loss, 6.6 (42) to 18.8 (116).

With key players out due to state commitments, the Panther Under-16s headed into their top-of-the-table clash expecting a tough battle. But – after South booted 7 goals during the opening term – the battle turned out to be short-lived.

It was a resounding display by the under-16s who had opened up a 62-point lead by halftime, 12.4 (76) to 2.2 (14). 

Clay Shadforth gets past a would be tackler in his first Under-16 match. Image Nick Hook Photography.

To their credit, the Roosters did fight back – with the home side booting 4 unanswered goals to start the final term. But by then the Panthers had secured the win and, in the process, the top spot. 

As expected in such a one-sided affair there were many strong contributors for the Panthers. Clay Shadforth (4 goals) and Callum Bennett (3 goals) were efficient up forward. While around the ground, Cohen Shortridge (24 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals) and Oliver Goss (26 disposals 5 clearances, 2 goals) were outstanding.

Following this big win, the Panther Under-18s took to the field in the hope of achieving a similar result. But – after a promising start – they fell to a tough 74-point loss, 6.6 (42) to 18.8 (116).

The Panthers looked lively early on. Shade Evans kicked 2 goals to help the Panthers build a promising lead at the first break, 4.3 (27) 1.2 (8). However, after a glimmering start, the Panthers only mustered a further 3 points until late into the final term.

Shade Evans kicks his first goal for the Panthers Under-18s. Image Nick Hook Photography.

By the time Jordan Hooper and Angus Bradley (30 disposals, 7 tackles) had registered their second goals of the game during the late stages of the fourth – the once glimmering lead had turned into a bitter 10-goal deficit.

It will be some time before the South Adelaide Juniors are in action once again.

After the break, the Juniors will return to action with a clash against Central District at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, 2 July; with the under-16s starting at 11:00am and the under-18s following from 1:15pm.

View the full Under-16s gallery here, thanks to Nick Hook. 

View the full Under-18s gallery here, thanks to Nick Hook. 

South Adelaide Under-18 vs North Adelaide Under-18
Round 11 - Prospect Oval - 11/06/2022

Goals: Bradley, Hooper, Evans 2
Best: Bradley, Rodrigues, Evans, Amos, Hogg

South Adelaide Under-16 vs North Adelaide Under-16
Round 11 - Prospect Oval - 11/06/2022

Goals: Shadforth 4, Bennett 3, Goss, Jackson, Petrucci, Shortridge, Sterzl 2, Carman, Papworth, Roberts, Sheean
Best: Goss, Shadforth, Jackson, Carman, Shortridge