Villi’s U18s & U16s Match Report – Round 13

UNDER 18s

The Under 18s played in a top of the table clash on Saturday,  going down in a thriller against North Adelaide, losing by a solitary point.

Prior to the match we joined North Adelaide players, staff and umpires in observing a minute’s silence to honour the life of Archie Bennett, a member of the North Adelaide Under 18s squad, who died suddenly recently.

Every member of both teams gave their all in a great example of Under 18 footy the way it should be played. We pass on our condolences and deepest sympathy to Archie’s family and friends.

We started well this week kicking the first 2 goals but the Roosters hit back with some good ball movement and with North kicking a late one just before the siren, we managed to take an eight point lead into quarter time

The second quarter saw some really good footy with both teams kicking 4 goals each. We had a good patch in the middle of the quarter and pinched a 21 point break before North kicked 2 late goals and reduced our lead to nine points at half time.

The third quarter tightened up with both teams defences on top and again we traded goals kicking 2 goals each and we held an eight point lead at three quarter time.

As has been the case for quite a few weeks now we definitely had a game on our hands at three quarter time and after we kicked the first goal of the quarter to extend our lead, the Roosters were quick to respond kicking 3 goals in just 5 minutes to take the lead.

Whilst we had some chances late, it wasn’t to be and the North boys held on for a well deserved victory honouring their team mate.

Key contributors were Cooper Wurfel working hard on his wing and our defenders, Noah Ah Chee, Harry Scholes, Jensen Frantz, Hudson Walsh and Mattie Kehoe were resolute all day. Khye Maddern was lively in our forward line with 3 goals.

This week we play South Adelaide at Magain Stadium from 1.50pm on Saturday.

Shane Reardon – U18 Coach

UNDER 16s

This week’s games saw us head out to Prospect to play North Adelaide at Revo Fitness Oval.

North who are sitting 2nd on the ladder are one of the benchmark teams of the competition so it was a great test to see how the group have developed since our round 6 clash in which we were beaten by 45 points at home.

Congratulations to Ryder Dunlop who come into the team for his first game.

We were really pleased with the players efforts and consistency across the entire game. Stayed in the contest all day, competed hard around the ground, applying some of the best pressure we’ve produced forseason.

We also showed great resilience as a group, responding well to momentum shifts and continuing to stick to our motto of playing team-first football. The effort, attitude, and willingness to compete never dropped away, which is something we have been patchy in games for majority of the season.

There are still a few areas for us to improve but it was pleasing to see how far the group has come with their development across the season.

Final Scores Eagles 9.10.64 to North 10.8.68 margin of 4 points

Goal Kickers this weekend: Jackson Brooks 3, Nate Mercer, Luke Flaherty, Mason Papps, Tyson Schultz, Jed Westbrook, Ayden Topp all with singles.

With our better players being Nate Ashley, Jude Cowan, Tyson Schultz, Mason Papps, Tilo Schultz & Jackson Brooks

This week we look forward to another test in travelling down to Noarlunga to take on South Adelaide at Magain Stadium.

On a final note wishing Tyson Schultz, Jude Cowan and Damien Wanganeen all the best as they push their cases to represent the state on the Gold Coast next week.

Todd Clarke – U16 Coach