Phil Hoffmann Travel Round 16 Under 18’s Match Report

Eagles 13.9 (87) def West Adelaide 8.11 (59)
Goal Scorers: Pearce 3, Williams Z 3, Poulter 2, Barnett, Brownlie, Scott, Smith H, Watson
Best Players: Williams, Jones, Barnett, Poulter, McNeilly, Smith H 

The Under 18s had a very good win against second placed West Adelaide on Saturday. As expected it was a tough encounter and winning the toss we kicked with the aid of the breeze and took at 25 point lead into quarter time kicking 5 goals to one goal.  With the Bloods kicking with the breeze we were able to defend well and managed to virtually square the quarter with 2 goals each. The third quarter was another contested affair and we kicked 2 goals ourselves and managed to hold Westies goal less and to take a 34 point lead into three quarter time. We played a great last quarter kicking 4 goals 7 points into the wind and restricting West to 3 points to run out 62 point winners.

We had a lot of good players and Zane Williams really led from the front with his contested work in our midfield and kicked 3 goals as well, Lachie Jones was a very good defender and he was well supported in defence by Shaun McNeilly, with both giving us plenty of drive into our forward line, Luke Barnett, Lochie Hoile and Caleb Poulter worked very hard and won plenty of footy in our midfield and Henry Smith did well in ruck giving our mids a good opportunity to get the footy and being creative around the ground.   Dale Pearce (3 goals) was a good target in our Forward 50 and Jase Burgoyne playing just his second game of under 18 footy also gave us plenty of run off half back.   This week we also debuted Olli Mullins, an under 17 from Moonta in our country zone who played well for us in the recent State Under 17 Championships held in July.  Olli kept up his form with a good showing in defence.

This week we turn our attention to Sturt at Peter Motley Oval in the early game and they are coming off a good win against Norwood so it will be another test for us.

Shane Reardon
Coach Under 18s