U18 Match Review Round 3 v Woodville West Torrens

Unfortunately, the tone we set during the week led into the first bounce and we came in a little overconfident against a winless Eagles. The game was an arm wrestle for the majority of the first 3 quarters – with each team only ever to string together 1 goal at a time before the other answered. Nathan Hearing gave us first use and control on the ground in the centre connecting with Jack Saunders who looked to set us up from behind the ball and through the midfield – while youngster Cooper Murley gave us first use off the ground and chipped in up forward with 2 goals.

Leading at every break by under a goal, things finally clicked into gear in the 4th quarter when our aggressive fast-moving play came back to us and we started peppering the goal front – thanks in large part to defensive efforts and hunger led by flanker Ronald Carbine. Finn Heard was easily BOG and provided a dominant physical presence up forward, taking 10 marks (multiple contested) and kicking goals from outside the arc – finishing with 5.4 – we look forward to seeing how dominant he can be if accurate. All in all, we are pleased to have got the win on the day, but the boys will be working tirelessly at training as we aren’t satisfied with just winning games.