Under-16 Match Report: Round 3 vs West

Under-16 Match Report

South Adelaide @ West Adelaide
Round 3 - Hisense Stadium - 21/03/2021

Goals: Pearsons 4, Draper, Hargrave, Oliver, Schirmer
Best: Draper, Pearsons, Daris, Oliver, Schirmer, Schroder

South Adelaide's Under-16s fall to their first loss of 2021. 

After a solid start to the season the boys headed down to Richmond oval early Sunday morning keen to keep the momentum going. 

We were however facing a Westies team who were just as hungry coming off two near misses to start their year.

They started well around the contest and put pressure on us which resulted in some basic errors which they were able to take advantage of and get a lead on the scoreboard.

Our inconsistent goal kicking again was an issue as we managed 5 behinds for the quarter to their 2 majors.

Sid Draper was having an influence for the panthers while Cooper Bobridge did his best to rebound their entries.

Quarter time saw us trail by 9 points.

The second started with West dominating possession and their quality ball use was proving difficult to defend as they continually went forward and put our defence under pressure as an early goal had them out to a handy lead.

Ruck Tom Schirmer was doing his best getting first hand on the ball and Jace Daris was working hard on the inside but we weren't able to hit the scoreboard.

Sid Draper kicks a goal for the Panthers. Image: Peter Argent

We could only kick 1.1 for the quarter as West kicked 3 to hold a half time advantage of 22 points.

The Panthers headed out after the break confident they could cut the margin quickly.

Defender Ryan Pearsons was swung forward with immediate effect as he kicked a quick goal inside the first minute.

When Pheonix Hargrave and Draper both kicked goals soon after the margin was cut to 4 points.

The belief was clearly there and another to Pearsons found us in front by a point before the quarters half way mark.

To West Adelaide's credit they were able to settle and kick 4 straight goals in 4 minutes had their lead restored.

It was an 18 point deficit at the the last change which had the young Panthers needing to respond again.

The boys showed a lot of fight and an early goal to Sebastion Oliver who competed strongly all day, followed by Pearsons 4th for the half had it back to a managable 8 points.

As had been the case all day though the oppositions good ball use allowed them to respond and they ran out winners by 17 points.

Jace Daris worked hard for his 23 touches.

Sid Draper had 18, while Pearsons managed 19 possesions to go with his 4 goals.

Big man Tom Schirmer was also solid with 5 clearances to go alongside his 29 hit outs.

This week we take on Glenelg back at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, March 27 from 12:15pm.

Show the Girls that your are #SouthProud in 2021!