SOUTH Australia have won their final trial match in the lead up to the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, defeating North Adelaide Reserves by 50-points at Football Park on Friday night.

After trailing at quarter time, a five-goal second quarter kickstarted South Australia’s game and saw them convincingly convert their chances on goal.

James Rowe was a standout up forward, booting four goals. Rowe also found plenty of the football when pushing through the midfield.

Tall Callum Coleman-Jones marked well overhead, with multiple strong contested marks up inside 50, finishing with four goals. Coleman-Jones also showed his versatility, working hard against 2016 SA Under 18 team mate Jordan Sweet in the ruck.

Possible 2018 number one draft pick Jack Lukosius kicked three goals up forward and continues to show his great skills at either end of the ground.

Jordan Houlahan returned to form – justifying his selection in the AFL Academy, kicking four goals. Houlahan was on fire throughout the contest, showing off his agility, marking the ball at ease and disposing of it well.

In defence, Thomas Schmusch played as a tall rebounding defender. Schmusch read the ball well, including a number of nice attacking runs. Brad McCarthy also looked good playing as a small defender, rebounding the ball well.

Norwood midfielder Stefan Giro has found the ball at ease in the SANFL and that continued with another strong showing in the centre, while Adelaide father/son prospect Jackson Edwards (Son of Tyson Edwards) suffered concussion.

With key players released for SANFL League games: Mitch Crowden, Izak Rankine, Alex Martini, Darcy Fogarty – and Andrew McPherson to return from injury it looks like the SA team are starting to gel on their run into the Championships.

South Australia kick off their Under 18 championships campaign on the 10th of June at Domain Stadium against Western Australia.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA    3.0    8.1     11.2     19.3 (117)
NORTH ADELAIDE       4.4    6.5       8.7       10.7 (67)

BEST:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Rowe, Coleman-Jones, Petty, Houlahan, McCarthy, Schmusch
NORTH ADELAIDE: Sweet, Minervini, De Leonardis, Woodcock, Wohling

GOALS:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Coleman-Jones 4, Houlahan 4, Rowe 4, Lukosius 3, Hately, Schmusch
NORTH ADELAIDE: Minervini 2, McInerney, De Leonardis, Lloyd, Helyar, Wohling, Slade, Denham, Oborn