<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Sturt<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Woodville-West Torrens<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSTURT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#26 <\/strong>Noah Roberts-Thomson<\/a> | Midfielder\/Forward
Stats: <\/strong>20 disposals, 8 marks, 3 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\nRoberts-Thomson blew the third quarter wide open with a hat-trick of classy goals, including two consecutively. His scoreboard impact put Sturt ahead, showcasing top notch roving and finishing to do so. The crafty left-footer positioned expertly at the fall of the ball and made use of his bright boots to slot the ball home from tight spots. Otherwise, the top-ager was sighted applying pressure and getting involved in the Double Blues\u2019 high possession game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#30 <\/strong>Louis Kellaway<\/a> | Midfielder<\/strong>
Stats: <\/strong>27 disposals, 9 marks, 8 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\nRichmond F\/S<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Richmond fans would have been buoyed by Thursday night\u2019s result, and more so when viewing Kellaway\u2019s statline. The son of 180-game former Tiger Duncan<\/em><\/strong> had 17 of his 27 touches to half time, and ran hard to contribute as Sturt picked the Eagles apart moving from end to end. His sound short kicking allowed him to follow up and possess the ball multiple times in the same passage, spreading well through midfield to generate fluent attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#36 <\/strong>Harley Barker<\/a> | Midfielder
Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, 5 marks, 3 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\nAFL Academy<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having mostly cut his teeth on the wing as a bottom-ager, Barker was thrust into Sturt\u2019s midfield with captaincy duties in tow. In a game littered with quality on-ballers, he struggled to produce the same output but lifted in term three to help turn the tide in Sturt\u2019s favour. Barker used his turn of speed to break free and launch some long clearances, showcasing good range on his kicks as usual. Being able to playmake by foot will be a key strength for the AFL Academy member in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#40 Jett Dahlitz | Defender
Stats: <\/strong>33 disposals, 5 marks, 8 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\nDahlitz was allowed to fill his boots on Saturday as Sturt’s designated kicker from defence, especially since the Eagles put through 19 behinds. The top-ager took full advantage on kick-in duty but also followed up to get ahead of the play and provide a secondary option to keep things moving. He was particularly busy in the opening exchanges and was everywhere at times as the Double Blues’ high defensive line held up strongly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#41 <\/strong>Kale Matthews-Hampton<\/a> | Defender
Stats: <\/strong>20 disposals, 8 marks, 3 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\nOne of the many classy left-footers afield, Matthews-Hampton stood out with his exceptional ball use. The bottom-ager adopted a high line and was often sighted running off to overlap through the corridor or help deliver the ball down the line. He hardly missed a kick when given time and space, and was a weapon when allowed to launch the ball into attack. Matthews-Hampton\u2019s kicking was a key reason why Sturt\u2019s transitional play was so effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#45 <\/strong>Blake Thredgold<\/a> | Tall Defender<\/strong>
Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile Ben McArthur<\/strong> kicked the winning goal, Thredgold’s switch forward was just as integral to the result. The usual defender pulled off a great piece of improvisation to soccer through a ball which snuck over the back of the pack, levelling the scores with under four minutes left to play. He was otherwise tasked with the Logan Hughes<\/strong> matchup down back, but also did a great job when running off and using the ball going forward. Thredgold competed well in the air to intercept and showed good defensive intent before switching tact to get involved on the rebound and hit his kicks on the run. He was deceptively dextrous in that sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jevan-Phillipou-WWT-Eagles-2025-SANFL-U18s-1024x724.jpeg\")
Eagles skipper Jevan Phillipou launches a kick | Image Credit: Cory Sutton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#5 <\/strong>Jack Cook<\/a> | Midfielder\/Defender
Stats: <\/strong>37 disposals, 7 clearances, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe best player afield by a fair margin, Cook had his fingerprints all over the Eagles\u2019 best passages. Whether as a primary possession winner in midfield or transitional asset from defence, Cook used his running power and trusty left foot to set up play after play. He led all comers with a balance of inside and outside work, proving industrious throughout the four quarters. Cook\u2019s booming goal in the first term showcased his kicking range, but he also used his class and composure to hit up shorter options. His move back into the centre bounces helped lift the Eagles early in term four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#15 <\/strong>Lachlan Sands<\/a> | Wing
Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 4 marks, 2 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile not as prolific as his contemporaries on the inside, Sands made use of their dominance to impact on the outer. The wingman looked dangerous when receiving handballs off the packs, driving his legs and delivering kicks inside 50. He found a handy knack for hitting up leading targets with pinpoint accuracy, sometimes even showcasing his agility to step inside before doing so. Sands also produced a couple of good defensive acts, like his second effort to catch Roberts-Thomson holding-the-ball in term two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n