Eagles win 2022 U16 Torrens University Cup

By TOM WYMAN

Woodville-West Torrens claimed its maiden U16 Torrens University Cup Premiership with a convincing 40-point victory over minor premier Glenelg at Adelaide Oval.

Coach Darren Hams’ Eagles were dominant after quarter time as Tom Luck claimed best on ground honours after an outstanding performance through the ruck.

Glenelg forward Harry Plews booted the first major within two minutes before 2024 eligible father-son prospect Lucas Camporeale added a second to increase the Tigers’ early lead.

Harry Piggott soccered through the Eagles’ first of the game at the nine-minute mark, but the Bays defence was able to keep Eagles key forward Tyler Welsh under wraps to take a four-point lead into quarter time.

However it took Welsh, the son of former Crow Scott, just a minute into the second term to hit the scoreboard, taking a trademark strong grab on the lead and converting the set-shot from inside-50.

As the game wore on, Torrens University SA U16 ruckman Tom Luck started to take advantage of his size and strength advantage to give the Eagles midfielders first use at stoppages, whilst dropping back to take a couple of important defensive marks.

Rome Burgoyne, the son of Power great Peter, mopped up brilliantly in the defensive-50 and Eagles skipper Jett Hasting began to work his way into the game in the middle.

Eagles forward Zane Peucker snapped his first of the evening as Woodville-West Torrens took control of the clearances and inside-50s to lead by ten points at the main change.

After the break, Welsh combined his vice-like hands overhead with a lovely one-touch pick-up at ground level as the 2022 U16 All-Australian added two more goals to his tally.

As the rain began to fall, a second major to Peucker and Logan Hughes’ first made it seven goals in a row for the Eagles as they extended their lead to 28-points at three-quarter time.

Despite the slippery conditions, Tyler Welsh booted his fourth from a set shot and Zane Peucker nailed his third in the dying stages to add further icing to the cake.

Luck took three contested marks, gathered 28 disposals and won 23 hitouts as the Eagles edged the Bays in clearances 31-17 and inside-50s 51-42.

Hasting finished with 22 possessions, six marks, seven tackles and four clearances while Zac Schwarz gathered 17 disposals and laid seven tackles for the victors.

Despite the result, Charlie McAuliffe was at his prolific best in the Tigers engine room, gathering 30 disposals, six clearances and seven inside-50s.

Oliver Betterman did all he could across half-back, providing six rebound-50s from 23 disposals, while Lucas Camporeale’s foot skills and courage in the air stood out for the Tigers, as he added 26 disposals, seven marks and six inside 50s to his goal.