GLENELG forward Ashton Moir made his SANFL Reserves debut over the weekend, bursting onto the scene with four goals in the senior grade. The highly touted draft prospect, arguably South Australia’s best this year, showcased plenty of his top traits as the Bays kicked away to a 22-point home win on Monday evening.

We put Moir’s performance under the Player Focus microscope this week.

>> 2023 South Australia U18 squad

Glenelg, South AustraliaForward

Ashton Moir

Height: 187cm

Weight: 85kg

DOB: 15-04-2005

FROM THE COACH

“Ashton is a highly talented footballer who also possesses elite athletic traits. He is in the AFL National Academy and has also completed a full preseason with Glenelg’s senior program.

“Ash got to experience the AFL U18 National Championships last year as an U17 player in our last two games, playing as a medium forward.

“He is a very focused and motivated young man who will most likely play multiple senior SANFL games for Glenelg, testing himself against men and proven SANFL defenders.”

> South Australia U18 coach Tony Bamford via SANFL

PLAYER FOCUS

2023 SANFL Reserves Round 3
Glenelg 15.10 (100) def. Woodville-West Torrens 12.6 (78)

#40 Ashton Moir (Glenelg)
Stats: 13 disposals (8 kicks, 5 handballs), 6 marks, 2 clearances, 4 goals, 3 behinds

FIRST QUARTER

Starting out in the exclusive forward post he would occupy for the entire game, Moir took little time to get on the board in his senior debut. Leading across attacking 50, he reeled in a one-handed mark with class before slotting the 40-metre set shot – choosing to do so with his right foot.

Moir tended to set up on the edge of Glenelg’s attacking arc when Woodville-West Torrens possessed the ball, but was sure to stream inside 50 once his side forced a turnover. After his promising early moment, the teenager registered only one more disposal for the term, handballing over his shoulder after recovering a dropped mark.

It was evident that Moir was much more comfortable aerially than at ground level and had the speed to work over his opponent on the lead. Holding onto his overhead marks would be the next step to ensuring he took toll. Overall, a steady start featuring a confidence-boosting goal.

SECOND QUARTER

Moir added to his scoring tally in term two; missing a left-foot snap from the pocket, but putting away a gift of a goal right in front of the big sticks. He led at the kicker nicely without much reward, but also continued to have trouble clunking his marks when contact arrived. His positioning and leap were no issue, just his hands.

Another 26 minutes of action saw Moir add two kicks – both scoring shots – a mark, a goal and a behind to his half time tally, but the best was yet to come for the top South Australian prospect in a contest that was evenly poised.

THIRD QUARTER

The third quarter was where Moir began to play with a swagger more indicative of his talent, building nicely off a strong early mark on the lead. Hitting up at the kicker, he took the ball cleanly out in front and wasn’t dettered by a second opponent approaching from the side. His 45-metre set shot fell short, but Moir was in the game.

It took another couple of attempts for the teenager to notch his third goal, taking two more grabs on the lead and making good of his second kick over the mark. It’s still a marvel to think he can do so as fluently as he does off either foot, depending on the angle.

Moir made the most of his deep forward post in term three, playing largely to his strengths to lead, mark and score off only a few opportunities. He could perhaps have impacted more defensively and at ground level, but is clearly impactful when exploiting his best traits inside 50.

FOURTH QUARTER

It was a case of more of the same for Moir in the fourth quarter, which ended up being his most prolific period for the match. He also produced his best highlight from Monday’s reel, rising for a ripping pack mark off the centre break and putting Glenelg in front with a right-footed set shot from 35 out.

The goal capped off a busy opening 10 minutes for Moir, who got involved in an earlier scoring chain with improved ground level impotence, but also missed a snap from the top of the goalsquare. There were no scores in the final seven minutes and Moir was quiet in that time, but the damage was done as the Bays kicked away to victory.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Splitting the big sticks in all four quarters on debut in a senior grade is no mean feat, and that’s exactly what Moir managed to do. He seemed to grow in confidence in the second half, playing less like a junior amongst men and more like an outstanding draft prospect deserving of senior opportunities – as he is.

Though there are some clear areas of improvement, Moir got to showcase his strengths with speed off the mark, spring-heeled leaps, a couple of handy clunks, and set shot conversions off either foot. That’s his game as a medium forward, and the best part is that he can add plenty more weapons to his arsenal.

>> WAFL Player Focus: Koltyn Tholstrup