Torrens University Cup U18 Grand Final Preview

By ZAC MILBANK

U18 TORRENS UNIVERSITY CUP

GRAND FINAL

Sunday 15 September

Woodville West Torrens v South Adelaide | Adelaide Oval | 12.10pm

Livestream on SANFL YouTube Channel from 12pm

2019 Win-Loss Record
Eagles 15-3 (1st – Minor Premier)
South 11-7 (3rd)

How They Qualified
2nd Semi-Final – Eagles 14.8 (92) d West 10.6 (66)

1st Semi-Final – South 13.10 (88) d Glenelg 10.3 (63)

Preliminary Final – South 16.4 (100) d West 11.9 (75)

2019 Meetings
Round 8 – South 15.10 (100) d Eagles 11.12 (78) at Flinders University Stadium
Round 13 – South 8.12 (60) d Eagles 8.8 (56) at Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval

2018 Torrens University Cup U18 Grand Final
Eagles 13.11 (89) d South 12.12 (84)

Taj Schofield (Eagles)
Despite being an ”underage” player, Schofield is a highly-rated prospect with elite kicking skills. The son of Power premiership midfielder and current assistant coach Jarrad Schofield, the 17-year-old is averaging 18 disposals and collected 21 possessions in the Second Semi-Final victory. Likely to be a key player in next year’s Torrens Uni SA U18 squad, Schofield is eligible to be selected by Port under the father-son rule in the 2020 AFL Draft.

Michael Frederick (Eagles)
The younger brother of Power rookie Marty Frederick, Michael is an equally exciting prospect. Starred in the Second Semi-Final with 21 disposals, five marks and three goals to take meaningful form into the title-decider.

Jase Burgoyne (Eagles)
A member of this year’s Torrens University SA U16 team, Burgoyne is the son of Power premiership star Peter Burgoyne. Slightly built, he has valuable speed on the outside of the contest which he will look to use on the expanses of Adelaide Oval. Is also eligible to be chosen by Port as a father-son selection.

Daniel Sladojevic (South)
Could be a significant difference-maker inside the Panthers’ attacking 50m arc with his ability to use his body in marking contests. A member of the Torrens University SA U18 team this year, Sladojevic has kicked a total of five goals in both finals as he looks to lead by example. Played in last year’s narrow Grand Final loss to the Eagles which he will no doubt use as motivation along with the likes of captain Aaron Douglass and utility Zac Dumesny.

Damon Freitag (South)
The strongest presence on the ground will take some stopping at the stoppages for the Eagles. The boy from Wisanger on Kangaroo Island has a booming left-foot kick while also being hard to stop in aerial marking contests. Can also cause problems up forward when resting from his role in the ruck.

Jason Horne (South)
He may be an ”underage” player but that hasn’t daunted Horne’s confidence as he continues to shine against his older opponents. The Torrens University SA U16 captain was a standout performer in the Preliminary Final, collecting 24 disposals and booting three goals to suggest he looms as a key influence for the Panthers on Sunday.