Villi’s U18s & U16s Match Report – Round 3

UNDER 18s

The Under 18s recorded our first win for 2026 by the narrowest of margins, winning a thriller against South Adelaide by 1 point!

Blake Karpany put us on the board early but the Panthers hit back with two goals in quick succession before we equalised. It was good hard tight footy early but South Adelaide got away from us late kicking 3 goals in the last 8 minutes of the quarter to take a 21 point lead into quarter time.

We were much more consistent across the second quarter and although South kicked 4 goals we were able to counter with a 5 goal quarter reducing the margin to 14 points at half time.

We played our best footy for the year in the third quarter kicking 4 goals and holding South goalless – so at three quarter time we were 12 points up and the game was set up for a big finish. That’s exactly what occurred as South attacked relentlessly and they took the lead 17 minutes in but Lachie Marshall-Bates kicked a great goal from the boundary to put us back in front, only for us to relinquish the lead with 4 minutes to go. Some good contested ball wins and a great attack on the ball won Noah Ah Chee a free kick and he kicked truly under pressure as we held on for the win.

Hunter Rowe was a big presence in our midfield with his kicking putting us in scoring positions and kicking a goal himself, Jack Marks continued his good form in ruck, Lachie Marshall-Bates was again a dangerous forward with 4 goals, Khye Maddern worked hard through our forward line and midfield, Seb Cavallaro and Harry Scholes were strong defenders and Romario Clemente (1 goal) did some good work through our midfield as well. This week Mitchell Beshara played his first game of under 18 footy and did well in his debut.

With the Gather Round bye ahead this weekend we will be back in action when we take on Sturt at home on Sunday 19 April from 11.30am.

Shane Reardon – U18 Coach

UNDER 16s

Round 3 saw the Under 16s face South Adelaide in a Good Friday clash at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

We entered the match with clear focus areas around our contest work and transition, but unfortunately were unable to execute consistently across all four quarters.

South Adelaide made a fast start, kicking 4.3 to 0.2 in the opening term to take early control of the game.

Our second and third quarters showed significant improvement and better reflected the standard we expect as a group. We were able to match South in the contest, gain more time in possession, and generate forward entries, but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard.

In the final quarter, we continued to compete strongly, however a lapse around the 18-minute mark allowed South Adelaide to add three unanswered goals and extend their lead.

Our defensive unit stood tall throughout the day, with strong performances from Alex Darcey, Campbell Woolford, Lachlan Macaitis, Harry Arcangelli, Jude Cowan and Tyson Schultz.

While scoring opportunities were limited, Louis Black, Ayden Topp and Jed Westbrook were able to contribute goals.

South Adelaide 10.17 (77) defeated our Under 16s 3.8 (26), a margin of 51 points.

Majority of the group will have the weekend off to rest and reset before we again take on Sturt in Round 4.

In closing I would like to wish Louis Black, Jude Cowan, Lachlan Macaitis, Mason Papps, Tyson Schultz and Damien Wanganeen all the best as they prepare to participate in an Under 16 Showcase game during the gather round festivities this Friday night at Alberton Oval.

Todd Clarke – U16 Coach