STURT has progressed to the SANFL Under 18 Grand Final after defeating reigning premier Woodville-West Torrens in Saturday’s prelim at Unley Oval. The Double Blues rode a double chance after taking out the minor premiership, setting up a qualifying final rematch with West Adelaide in Sunday’s decider.

It was a valiant comeback effort from the Double Blues, who trailed at every break and conceded a four-goals to one head start. Having been less efficient inside 50 for the first three quarters, Sturt rallied to post 4.5 to the Eagles’ 1.1 in the final term to run over the top with a 14-point victory on home turf.

STURT 1.3 | 3.7 | 4.10 | 8.15 (63)
EAGLES 4.0 | 5.1 | 6.6 | 7.7 (49)

GOALS:
Sturt: I. Wilkinson 3, N. Roberts-Thomson 2, T. Garrett, A. Mills, J. Nelson
Eagles: J. Slattery 2, J. Cook, L. Hughes, Z. Peucker, L. Sands, H. Willmott

BEST:
Sturt: N. Roberts-Thomson, J. Dahlitz, J. Nelson, N. Mitchell, I. Wilkinson
Eagles: M. Harris, L. Marshall-Bates, J. Cook, L. Sands, Z. Peucker

2025 SANFL UNDER 18 GRAND FINAL:
West Adelaide vs. Sturt
Sunday September 14, 12:00pm @ Adelaide Oval

STURT:

#26 Noah Roberts-Thomson
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 29/03/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 marks, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

Roberts-Thomson came up clutch for the Double Blues, booting two final quarter goals to help complete the comeback win. He started on-ball and was proficient in swooping on ground balls, showing agility and a strong core to hold his own through traffic. Having peppered the goals nearly all day, Roberts-Thomson took full advantage on a pair of defensive 50 turnovers from the Eagles to impact the scoreboard most when it mattered.

#30 Louis Kellaway
Midfielder | 180cm | 16/03/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Kellaway was reliable as ever in midfield, proving clean at the coalface all day. Positioned as the sweeper at the back of centre stoppages, he was fed plenty of taps from Jonah Lagana and used them to work a way forward. The Richmond father-son prospect showed a willingness to attack the corridor in transition and took a direct approach when moving the ball forward by foot.

#36 Jett Dahlitz
Defender | 187cm | 11/08/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 3 marks, 10 rebound 50s

As he often does, Dahlitz racked up more possessions than any other Sturt player as his side’s primary defensive distributor. He progressed the play with energy, often going short from the kick-ins to get the ball back and launch it long on the second go. Such passages saw him gain territory all the way to the wing with ease. Dahlitz’s willingness to combine with teammates made turning the defensive 50 spills into attacking opportunities possible.

#41 Kale Matthews-Hampton
Key Defender | 198cm | 18/05/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 5 inside 50s

Another of Sturt’s key ball users down back, Matthews-Hampton exhibited great dynamism and variety in his play. He ventured into attacking positions high up the ground, able to contribute to slow play or take metres with speed from end-to-end. The bottom-ager also showed his aerial range with a couple of intercept marks before looking to flick the switch into attack mode. While hit or miss with some of his execution by foot, the leftie was neat in uncontested or straight-line situations.

#45 Blake Thredgold
Key Defender | 194cm | 27/08/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 3 rebound 50s

As reliable as any key defender in the draft crop, Thredgold took on the tough matchups and made his opponents earn their keep. He was tested when defending on the lead but proved composed in one-out situations or under high balls inside defensive 50. Thredgold showed he was capable of completing intercepts with a couple of grabs, but generally played the percentages in a defend-first style both in the air and at ground level.

Others:

Sturt controlled the clearances and ruck Jonah Lagana was central to that, claiming five of his own to go with 21 disposals and 22 hitouts. Midfielder Jack Nelson also had a strong day out with 22 touches, six tackles and a goal, while fellow bottom-ager Ivan Wilkinson booted three to help drag Sturt over the line. Under 16 prospects Harvey Chapman (13 disposals, four marks) and Taj Garrett (20 disposals, one goal) also showed their wares as ones to watch in the future.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#5 Jack Cook
Midfielder/Defender | 181cm | 02/07/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 rebound 50s

It was a typically industrious performance from Cook, who had little trouble getting his hands on the ball. Whether in midfield or down back, he looked to get on the move and provide an overlap option, taking ground and utilising his kicking skills on the outside. In doing so, he constantly brought the play forward and was central to his side’s ball movement. With a strong core and neat side-step, Cook navigated tight spots and showcased his kicking power with a booming goal from a density free kick in term one.

#14 Zane Peucker
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 04/12/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 10 marks, 1 goal

Peucker led all comers and covered plenty of ground throughout the day, playing with his usual energy. He looked to combine with teammates and generate run, consistently finding the space as a key link man between the arcs. Peucker’s repeat efforts allowed him to be involved throughout the attacking phase and drive his side forward with impetus. He was rewarded with a set shot goal in the second quarter and very nearly had another in the third.

#25 Jevan Phillipou
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 30/03/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 5 inside 50s

Having put together a huge performance last week, Saturday marked an ‘almost’ kind of day for Phillipou. The Eagles captain was under the pump early on but lifted in the second quarter with his patented spark and spring. Phillipou’s overhead marking ability came to the fore at times and he showed a willingness to kick off both feet, otherwise twisting and turning to pick gaps in Sturt’s defence. He finished with three behinds in what could have been another impactful outing.

Others:

Defensive duo Lachlan Marshall-Bates (18 disposals, six marks, seven rebound 50s) and Mitchell Harris (14 disposals, six marks) were resolute for the Eagles all day, snuffing out plenty of Sturt attacks with their aerial presence. At the other end of the ground, Jack Slattery ended with two goals from 15 disposals and five marks, while wingmen Jack Leys (23 disposals, seven marks) and Jake Hall (22 and nine) tracked up and down the line terrifically well.