Coaches Reports- U16 / U18

West Adelaide Under 16 Match Report – Round 5 vs Eagles Easter Thursday Under Lights at Maughan Thiem Oval

West Adelaide 12.11.83 V Eagles 10.3.63

In the lead-up to a shortened week, our Under 16 boys prepared diligently with a solid Tuesday night session, focusing on team defence and improving ball movement into the forward 50—an area of inconsistency in previous games. The objective was to enhance scoring impact while reinforcing fundamental execution.

That preparation paid off immediately. We stormed out of the gates with a dominant first-quarter performance, kicking four goals inside the opening 11 minutes to put the Eagles under immense pressure. The momentum continued, with Westies piling on the last three goals of the term to take a commanding 37-point lead at quarter time.

However, the quarter ended on a sour note, with our ruckman Andrew Comakis suffering a fractured wrist, forcing structural adjustments and limiting rotations for the remainder of the match.Despite the setback, we maintained control in the second term, applying relentless pressure that forced the Eagles into costly errors.

The boys outscored the Eagles, kicking 3.3 to the Eagles’ 2.1, extending the lead to 45 points at the main break.
Entering the second half, our boys were determined to maintain the pressure, but the Eagles, a proud club, responded with increased intensity.

Their defensive pressure led to turnovers, which they capitalised on by kicking the first three goals of the third quarter, clawing their way back into contention. We struggled to convert our chances, kicking an inaccurate four behinds for the term while the Eagles were clinical, slotting 4.0. This swung the momentum, reducing our lead to 25 points heading into the final quarter.

We regain composure in the opening five minutes of the last term, creating multiple forward entries and converting a crucial goal through Samuel DePalma, providing much-needed breathing space. However, gettable missed set shots prevented the boys from putting the contest to bed.

Sensing an opportunity, the Eagles responded mid-way through the final quarter, kicking three of the last four goals as West Adelaide, hindered by a reduced rotation, appeared to run out of legs late in the game. Despite the Eagles’ late charge, we held on to secure a 20-point victory, improving our season record to 3-1.

While the first half showcased the team’s desired ball movement and scoreboard impact, the second half served as a lesson in missed opportunities. The Eagles kicked an efficient 7.2 to our 2.7 after halftime—a stark contrast highlighting the importance of converting routine shots under pressure.

This reinforces why goal-kicking practice under fatigued conditions remains a key focus area in training.
Despite the second-half challenges, our forwards were creative and cohesive, generating quality scoring opportunities and applying strong pressure inside the forward 50.

The defensive unit, led by Luke Kennedy, was instrumental, limiting the Eagles to just 27 inside 50s compared to West Adelaide’s 42, showcasing an ability to play front-half football.

The midfield, which adjusted effectively after Comakis’ injury, excelled in clearance work, finishing with a +20 advantage—a testament to the players’ understanding and execution of the team’s game plan.

Our attention now shifts to Sturt on Saturday, a team we edged out by a single point at Hisense Stadium two weeks ago. Sturt will be eager for redemption, promising a fiercely contested match.

A hard-fought win with valuable lessons—now onto the next challenge!

Best Players:
Laurence Andriani, Luke Kennedy, Andrew Crispe, Calvin Jones, Dean Hatedakis

Goal Kickers:
Sam DePalma (2), Charlie Gurney (2), Hamish Abbot, Laurence Andriani, Harry Banks, Toby Bohbot, Calvin Jones, Tanner Ryan, Kit Saracino, Archie Sorensen

– Jeff Sochacki
Under 16 Coach
Go Bloods!

Round 5 – U18 Coach’s Report

West Adelaide 10.8.68 V Eagles 8.7.55

We headed to Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Thursday night to take on the Eagles after a weekend off for Gather Round. We felt we’d prepped well with a strong main session on Tuesday that gave us confidence going in.

We started the game really well — especially in traffic and were able to create some good scoring looks. Our defensive group were sharp too, stopping their ball movement and helping us go back the other way. At quarter time, we were happy with what we had achieved so far. We knew the second quarter was going to be a tougher test, and it was.

The second quarter turned into a real arm wrestle. The Eagles got right on top around stoppage, and our defenders were under pressure. Credit to them, they held up well and gave us a chance to reset on multiple occasions. At half time, we spoke about our intent around the ball and tightening up a couple of structural things.

In the third quarter, the players adapted very well to the messaging and produced a high standard of football. We got on top for periods of the quarter and were able to score, but to the Eagles’ credit, they kept coming. The last quarter followed a similar pattern. We opened up a lead, but they continued to win their fair share of contests in the last 15 minutes and made it a tight finish.

What was most pleasing was the players’ concentration and focus across the whole game. The things we talked about during the week were executed really well. It’s a credit to the training standards the group has set since November, and it’s great to see the whole squad get rewarded for that hard work.

We’ll review on Monday and then turn our attention to a big test against Sturt at home in Round 6. Our focus stays the same — keep improving, keep training at a high level, and give ourselves the best chance to play well.

Also, congratulations to the U16s on their win. Their first quarter was excellent offensively and set up the game, and they had to absorb a lot of pressure after that. I thought Jeff and his group did a great job managing the game and getting the result. Well done.

Thanks.

Best Players:
Lincoln Pitt
Harper Ryan
Mitch Marsh
Jaylen Sochacki
Tom Kain

Goal Kickers:

Aquel Rankine (3.1), Micthell Marsh (2.1), Zanen Syrokos (2), Lukas Eagleton (1.1), Logan McCabe (1), Lucas White (1.1)

Rusell Godson – U18’s Coach