Vili’s U18’s Match Report – Round 18

The Under 18s had a tough match against South Adelaide on Sunday, losing a nail biter by 4 points.

We started well kicking the first 2 goals of the match but the Panthers hit back with 2 of their own and we took a 3 point lead into quarter time. The second quarter was much like the rest of the match, a bit of an arm wrestle as both defences were on top – South kicked 3 goals to our 2 for the quarter and they took a 5 point lead into half time. We did play some very good footy in the 3rd term kicking 4 goals to South’s 3 – and we held a 4 point lead at three quarter time.

South had plenty of Inside 50s in the last quarter and we defended well with both team restricted to just the one goal each. We struggled to move the ball out of our defence for most of the quarter although in the last minute we managed to move the ball to the top of the 50 m arc had a shot from long range after the siren to win the game but it fell a metre short and South were deserved winners and took top spot on the ladder as well.

We had plenty of players who contributed and Isaac Niemann continues his good form in ruck, Tate Delmenico and Jake Andrews did very well in our defence repelling numerous South Adelaide attacks, Josh Capogreco, Zac Schwarz and Jordan Tilbrook battled hard in our midfield and Harry Piggott, playing his first under 18 game did well with 2 goals and made an impact.

As we finished 3rd on the ladder we have an elimination final against Sturt on the weekend of 2 September – it is exciting to be part of finals again and the players have worked hard to get this opportunity and experience – I know they will give their best efforts.

Shane Reardon – U18 Coach