With round one of the SANFL Competition beginning last weekend, 2017 draft talent was on show at League, Reserves and U18 Level. We take a look at who the top performers were across the grades:

LEAGUE

Mitch Crowden (Sturt) and Alex Martini (Glenelg) debuted against AFL reserves sides. In Sturt’s two-point loss to the Crows, Crowden played midfield minutes, worked himself into the game in the second half and showed some class passages of play in winning the ball and hitting targets resulting in goals. Crowden also laid 12 tackles in a great defensive performance. Martini’s Glenelg defeated Port Adelaide by 17 points with a solid 16 disposals and one goal. Both teams play each other next round and the Good Friday game will be another talent showcase. Former TAC Cup & Northern Knights player Lachlan Murphy (Adelaide) also fitted in well in his first taste of senior football. Murphy racked up 18 disposals and six rebound-50s in a promising effort using his classy left foot, including an outstanding mark captured below. Murphy has also been nominated for the Round One SANFL Breakthrough Player award.

HUGE leap from debutant Lachie Murphy in yesterday’s @SANFL win! ?

More SANFL highlights: https://t.co/EijSvlOLcq #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/vsVm56vn2N

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) April 10, 2017

RESERVES

Classy Brad McCarthy (Glenelg) had 15 disposals and one goal and was named in best players. Stefan Giro (Norwood) continues his form with a dominant 27 disposals and two goals to be named second best in his teams 91-point victory over North Adelaide. Lachlan Pascoe also named in Norwood’s best players with his 20 disposals showed some return to from after three early league games in 2016. Isaac Hewson and Brodie Carroll also got plenty of the ball for Norwood with 16 disposals each.

U18s

Notable performances for the round included Adam Trenorden leading Sturt to victory over Glenelg with a dominating performance 31 disposals, 13 marks and 10 tackles, which saw him earn the Round One Under 18 MVP. Also to note the 19 tackles by Sturt underager Tom Lewis to go with his 20 disposals and 1 goal. Norwood’s Zac Bailey was named best with 29 disposals, backing up his form for Northern Territory in the Div 2 Academy Series (in Adelaide at boarding school at Prince Alfred College). North forward Hugo Barry (a late to football – soccer convert), returning from injury was lively kicking 3.2. South Adelaide underager and son of Clay – Hayden Sampson was named best for South in their win over West Adelaide with his 22 disposals. And son of former Crow Stephen – Jimmy Rowe impacted with 30 disposals and a goal, and Jake Weideman with 24 disposals and a goal played their part in the Eagles victory over Centrals.