Juniors

Just back from a pleasant time watching our 16's and 18's.

The 16's are a seriously good side, witha lot of draftable talent. Their first half was dominant and the led by about 8 goals at half-time, wining by about 9 or 10 goals, to be unbeaten after 3 rounds. Really well structured and talent all across the ground.

I left at 1/4 time of the 18's trial and they led by about 6.5 to 0.2. Hannigan had kicked 3.

Can't remember ever going to Norwood Oval and seeing two dominant junior sides.

Lee Harradine wrote:

Can't remember ever going to Norwood Oval and seeing two dominant junior sides.

I can, but they were both Norwood's.

The Under 16's won by about 6 goals and we're fairly dominant, double the scoring shots but inaccurate.

Half time, 18's lead by 2 goals.

16’s rotated a lot of their team too to give the squad game.

U18s won by a point. Will Day, grandson of the great Robert, had 35 disposals.

And is a natural. Beautiful disposal, as you'd expect, plenty of time, class act.

Guys,

To me the club at present has many quality young future (we hope) league footballers at all grades which i see as an advantage in that these youngsters can learn their trade without being rushed up to early --- obviously those that are ready for a higher grade will be promoted.

Reflects some top grade and visionary thinking within the club and football administration in the past 3-4 years

Do other agree with my thoughts

An important factor was the work done by several of us relating to boundaries and getting a decent zone over the past few years. David Tidswell in particular has been huge in this area

I'd encourage people to drop in and watch our juniors play. There are some seriously talented players there.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/westadelaidefootballclub/posts/?ref=notif

Some nice highlights of the Under 18's from Unley.

No 2 is Will Day, gets a fair bit of it where you can't see his number.

9 is Jason Westley, I think.

40 is Noah Hannigan.

16’s smash the second ranked team. Absolute stars in this team and some very good players missing out each week

Great win by the 16s today

when and where is the juniors grand final

Sunday 11am at City Mazda

Our form has dropped off a bit

I don't think it's our form, brodlach.  I've watched 5 of their last 6 games and can offer a few thoughts.

First, with a large squad, they tried to give everyone a game last week, it seems.  They lost their last minor round game, with half a dozen lads who won't play finals.  I have no problem with that, except not in the last minor round game.  I think that should be with your best team, so they're all on the same page for the finals.

Secondly, they've rarely been put under pressure, but certainly were yesterday by Norwood and almost paid the price. They kicked the first two goals in a few minutes, led by 6.0 to 3.0 at the first break and looked on track for a comfortable win.  Then, when pressure was applied, where they had been slick all year, they played panic football, had a low work rate and looked unstructured. They then kicked only one goal in almost two quarters. They had their best midfielder playing in a forward pocket for 3 quarters, I think.  He made a big difference when he went into the midfield in the last quarter.  I also think they still played a couple of lads who aren't ready yet at that level.

Having said that, they're very well coached and the right adjustments were made a 3/4 time.  We pretty well dominated the last quarter and went 2 goals up from behind, but had to hold on grimly.

A few thoughts.  I think this was the first game where I don't think one holding the ball decision was paid.  It was bizarre watching obvious HTB's being balled up.  I think a boundary umpire might have been unwell, as some of the throw-ins were well below standard.

I liked the performance of our ruckman, one of two Oueiss (?) brothers playing, Jack McArdle was again very good, although he had his hands full, David Midwinter made some important plays, Charlie Pridham was quieter than usual, but clean and important in all he did.  Kennedy and Blackwell were good, Luke Young started brilliantly, then disappeared when supply dried up,
while Mitch Hahn was very quiet, although one great play wouldn't have got a stat, but led to a goal.

I'd like to think this was a wake-up call and we''ll be right next week, but they will need to come to play.

I too have watched them most games this season and know the inner workings of the the team. I think, and I think it is the right thing to do, by playing the whole squad has tampered with the form a little. They have been swapping players for the past four weeks to ensure everyone got at least one game. The coaching has been excellent.

In saying that I hope we get a decent crowd as a number of these lads will be drafted or playing seniors in the next couple of years

I think one of the Ouesis brothers is  underaged too?

Yes, the forward is only 15, very promising. Glad you're watching them and are close to the team, mate, it's been fun, hasn't it.

I also agree that Michael Wakim and his coaches are doing a wonderful job and have handled a large squad very well, although I wouldn't have done it for the last minor round game.

So many exciting players to watch. Have to say that Charlie Pridham is a gem.

Coach's Report for Under 16's from the website



Grand Final information

West Adelaide v Glenelg @ 11am at City Mazda Stadium

FREE ENTRY

Coaches Report

Having finished first on the ladder, the West Adelaide U16’s team earned the right to play our first final at home against Norwood who had finished 4th

In the other final, South Adelaide played off against Glenelg, with the winners of these two games ultimately playing off in the Grand Final.

We made six changes coming into this match with the aim to settle the side after having significant team changes for the last few weeks.

We began exceptionally well kicking the first 4 goals in 10 minutes and it appeared we were switched on and moving well. Norwood settled and through some quick forward entries managed to scramble a few goals against the flow of play.

We continued some strong attacking football and finished the quarter 6.0 to 3.0 with accurate kicking in front of goal by both sides.

We knew finals football would always bring a different level of pressure and Norwood played a strong 2nd quarter keeping us goalless but only kicking 1 goal themselves. We led into the main break 6.2 to 4.1 but I was concerned with us being down in clearances and first possessions despite being higher in tackles, showing us we were 2nd to the ball.

We struggled in the 3rd quarter with panic and poor decision making coming into our game. Norwood out played us and started to the impact on the scoreboard and took the lead late in the quarter kicking 4.3 to our 1.1. The three quarter time break couldn’t have come quick enough as we trailed 7.3 to 8.4 and needing to find something special.

We needed to focus and compose ourselves and our three quarter time chat was exactly about that. I knew the belief in this team was enormous but our strength of character was going to be truly tested.

The last quarter was a courageous display with us responding early. Norwood refused to concede control and kicked a goal to maintain the 7 point lead.

It wasn’t until midway through the quarter that we managed to finally get some clean football as we kicked 3 goals in 4 minutes to take the lead by 11 points with 7 minutes to go.

To Norwood’s credit they kept coming and with a couple of minutes to go closed to 3 points.

We desperately held on to win the game and secure a place in a Grand Final against Glenelg.

I am exceptionally proud of this group and the way they composed themselves and responded when they were tested. They deserve to have the opportunity to play off in the Grand Final and I look forward to seeing how they handle this opportunity.
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Lee Harradine wrote:



Grand Final information

West Adelaide v Glenelg @ 11am at City Mazda Stadium

FREE ENTRY

I assume we're supposed to guess the date.

https://westadelaidefc.com.au/news/a-club-first-as-the-under-16s-are-grand-final-bound/


Wtite up for the Under 16's.

I'll leave it to others to comment on the grammar.

Very disappointing Grand Final, a re-run, but worse, of the Prelim Final. The boys looked nervous and played like it. The weight of expectation seemed too much for many of the lads and after a reasonable first quarter, we were blown away by a superior team.

Most of our 'gun' players were well down, our discipline was poor at times, we fell foul of th silly
'anti-density' rule a few times. By silly, I mean if the opposition are kicking out and the rule is applied, the free kick is taken up the other end of the ground. It confuses everyone, isn't policed consistently and spoils the contest.

Cooper Thompson was excellent, Nabel Oueiss rucked and played well, small dynamo Charlie Pridham is quicker and cleaner than most and Wjite kicked 3 goals. Our key defenders were well down and some of our more talented players hardly touched it.

Lessons to be learned about pressure, discipline and a lot else as these lads progress their football.

The unkindest thing is that it all seems so very West Adelaide somehow and I hate saying that.

I look forward to watching many of these lads mature as footballers as they go through the Under 18's and above.

Finally, a big thank you to Michael Wakim and his coaches and staff for an enjoyable year and better times to come.

Very disappointing end to what started as a great season. Some very ordinary performances from players who have shown far more than they did on Sunday.

Couple we got what was expected too as they don’t handle pressure too well