POTENTIAL top ten draft pick Riley Thilthorpe will return to the West Adelaide league side for their Round 12 South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Friday night clash with South Adelaide. The athletic big man has been named at full forward, after spending a fortnight on the sidelines with a minor groin injury. Thilthorpe could be joined in the senior side by fellow draft hopeful and Roxby Downs product Bailey Chamberlain, who earned a spot on the extended bench. The prolific midfielder has progressed through the SANFL ranks this season, performing well for West Adelaide’s under-18s and impressing at reserves level more recently.

Bottom-aged sensation Jason Horne has retained his spot in South Adelaide’s senior side as they look to consolidate their place inside the top four. The Panthers will also welcome back impressive key defender Tom Highmore, who returns from an ankle injury. The Canberra product proved a revelation down back for the Noarlunga side prior to his injury setback, and was rewarded with a national combine invite.

A couple of versatile draft hopefuls will go head-to-head when the Bloods and Panthers reserves sides lock horns on Friday evening. West’s Jye Sinderberry makes the step up from under-18s level, while South welcome back Zac Dumesny from an ankle complaint. Panthers wingman Phoenix Spicer and defender Harry Spacie will also front-up for the reserves, having both performed well since joining the ranks.

At under-18s level, Edward van den Berg will once again lead the Bloods under-18s, alongside talented bottom-agers Luke Young and Cade Kennedy. Draft bolter Brayden Cook has been named on the wing, Max Clifton and Arlo Draper in the centre, SA Academy member Nick Kraemer at centre-half-forward and Liam Hamilton on the forward flank for the blue and white.

Norwood defender Daniel Fairbrother will once again assume his defensive-50 role for the Redlegs when they take on eastern suburbs rivals Sturt under the Coopers Stadium lights. However Double Blues defender and potential Adelaide academy selection James Borlase will miss the clash due to school football commitments with Prince Alfred College. Nineteen-year-old Oliver Grivell will line up at full-forward for Sturt.

Norwood duo Jack Saunders and Michael Cavallaro will play reserves again, after both proving a class above under-18s level earlier in the season. Speedy backman Lachlan Falco has also been elevated to the Redleges reserves. Double Blues key forward Tom Emmett will also front-up for the seconds and be expected to provide a presence in attack.

All eyes will be on the midfield battle at under-18s level when the competitions two top sides meet. Close mates Tom Powell (Sturt) and Henry Nelligan (Norwood) could go head-to-head in what would be a tantalising duel, with the duo being amongst the states most prolific onballers. Crucially, Powell and Nelligan have also shown glimpses of their talent up forward. Sturt’s Mani Liddy and Norwood bottom-ager Cooper Murley will also do battle in the centre when the two clubs lock horns. Norwood will also be bolstered by the return of Ben Ianniello after he spent several weeks in the reserves.

The Eagles are now well and truly premiership favourites after the league side knocked off second placed North Adelaide last round. Power academy prospect Lachie Jones played a major role in the victory, providing toughness and athleticism down back in tandem with Tassie product Rhyan Mansell. Skilful utility Caleb Poulter has been eyeing off a league debut in the back half of the season, but has been made to bide his time in the reserves. The Bays reserves suffered a disappointing loss to West Adelaide at home last round, but likely Crows father-son Luke Edwards and diminutive midfielder/small forward Cooper Horsnell were amongst the side’s better players.

Eagles bigmen Henry Smith (centre-half-forward) and Zac Phillips (ruckman) could cause significant issues for the Bays as they alternate from roles up forward and on the ball. Reliable midfielder Max Lister has provided excellent support to Power father-son prospects Taj Schofield and Jase Burgoyne and will be hoping to make things difficult for Bays midfielders Kye Dean and Hagan Wright, who will both spend time in the middle.

North Adelaide will switch key defenders for their clash with Central Districts. Dyson Hilder is set to replace Karl Finlay in the Roosters league side. Unfortunately, Bulldogs forward Corey Durdin will spend the remainder of the season on the sidelines after he re-injured his hamstring early in the ‘Dogs win over Norwood last round. Victorian Jack Toner has been named on the interchange for Central Districts.

Central Districts forward Lachlan Grubb will line up in the reserves alongside NT import Brodie Lake. The Bulldogs under-18s will start as underdogs against a strong Roosters core led by forward Leo Coates and inside midfielders James Willis and Matthew Borg. Tariek Newchurch has been named in his customary forward pocket role, with Lam Simon selected at centre-half-back alongside the skilful Blayne O’Loughlin. Impressive 16-year-old Austin McDonald will be relied upon to do much of the heavy lifting in the midfield for Centrals, despite his inferior age.

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FIXTURES

League:

West Adelaide vs. South Adelaide | Friday September 11, 7:20pm @ Hisense Stadium
Norwood vs. Sturt | Friday September 11, 7:40pm @ Coopers Stadium
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Glenelg | Saturday September 12, 1:45pm @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval
North Adelaide vs. Central Districts | Sunday September 12, 2:10pm @ Prospect Oval

Reserves:

West Adelaide vs. South Adelaide | Friday September 11, 4:50pm @ Hisense Stadium
Norwood vs. Sturt | Friday September 11, 5pm @ Coopers Stadium
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Glenelg | Saturday September 12, 11:10am @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval
North Adelaide vs. Central Districts | Sunday September 12, 11:30am @ Prospect Oval

Under-18s:

Central Districts vs. North Adelaide | Saturday September 12, 11:30am @ X Convenience Oval
Sturt vs. Norwood | Saturday September 12, 11:30am @ Peter Motley Oval
South Adelaide vs. West Adelaide | Saturday September 12, 11:30am @ Flinders University Stadium
Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens | Saturday September 12, 11:30am @ ACH Group Stadium