SOUTH Australian forward Troy Menzel put on another scintillating display, kicking six goals in his state's hard fought 29-point victory over the Northern Territory at Norwood Oval on Sunday.
South Australia had to withstand a five-goal-to-one final term from the Thunder to win 16.13 (109) to 12.8 (80) in round two of the 2012 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Click here for full Under-18s coverage
Following up his nine-goal haul against Tasmania last week, Menzel, the younger brother of injured Geelong forward Daniel, was again a dangerous commodity up forward for the Croweaters.
Rebounding defender Sam Colquhoun, from SANFL club Central District, was also influential with 36 possessions—his second solid game in a row.
AIS/AFL academy graduate Ben Kennedy had 29 possessions, mixing time up forward and through the midfield, and ruckman Brodie Grundy had 36 hit-outs to further boost his draft stocks.
The Northern Territory were gallant in defeat, in particular Jake Neade (23 touches) and Jed Anderson (17 and six tackles).
Livewire Thunder forward Anthony Tipungwuti also proved a handful for the opposition with 17 touches and two goals, to go along with seven tackles.
However, despite the Thunder's strong endeavour, they gave the South Australians too much of a head start early in the game and failed to bridge the gap in the last quarter.
The South Australians spread the workload effectively and will go in to next week's game against Vic Metro with plenty of confidence.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 6.3 11.6 15.9 16.13 (109)
NORTHERN TERRITORY 2.2 5.3 7.6 12.8 (80)
GOALS
South Australia: Menzel 6, Murdoch 3, O'Brien 2, Colquhoun, McDonough Toumpas, Kennedy, Wilson,
Northern Territory: Anderson 2, Barry 2, W Rioli 2, Tipungwuti 2, Stokes, Lawton, B Rioli, J Williams
BEST
South Australia: Colquhoun, Grundy, Menzel, Kennedy, Montgomery, Luccon
Northern Territory: D Williams, Tipungwuti, Neade, Anderson, Barry, J Williams, W Rioli
