FOR the second week running, South Adelaide has defeated West Adelaide in the SANFL Under 18s competition. The Panthers backed up with an even more comprehensive 53-point win in Saturday’s reverse leg at Hisense Arena kicking away with five goals to one in the third quarter.

After an inaccurate display from both sides, the final score read 12.15 (87) to 4.10 (34) in favour of the visitors. There were eight South Australian Under 18 squad members afield, and we noted each of their performances before taking a look around the grounds.

>> Full Squad: South Australia Under 18s

SCOUTING NOTES

West Adelaide:

#33 Will Patton
DEF | 192cm | 79kg | 04/01/2005

Leading all comers with 29 disposals (24 kicks) and 10 rebound 50s, Patton put in another huge shift across the besieged Westies back line. The National Academy member plays small on the attack and tall in his defensive actions, generating rebound run but also rising to intercept with marks and spoils. He used his raking left-foot kick to advantage at the kick-ins, though would sometimes go short and run hard to demand the ball back. While normally efficient by foot and largely effective with his uncontested possessions, he was forced to rush at times on Saturday.

#35 Jack Oates
DEF | 197cm | 85kg | 19/06/2005

Among West Adelaide’s trio of tall defenders, Oates again racked up the numbers with 20 disposals, five marks and five rebound 50s. He seems a slightly more raw prospect though, being beaten on occasion one-on-one and proving a little less polished than the likes of Patton. Still, Oates was a key rebounder and looked more effective when attacking from defence, either taking the kick-ins or quickly moving the ball on in general play.

#40 Oscar Talbot
DEF | 195cm | 85kg | 28/09/2005

Though he found less of the ball overall, Oates clunked an equal game-high 11 marks and was one of Westies’ more reliable defenders. The top-ager’s safe hands saw him clunk several intercepts and he was generally in good positions to do so, but also benefited from being the target of a set play from the kick-ins. Patton in particular sought him out with long launches from the last line, and Talbot tended to snap up what came his way. Marking prowess aside, Talbot was another West Adelaide defender who mostly went by foot, and he delivered a nice stiff-arm on Sid Draper in the first term.

South Adelaide:

#3 Sid Draper
MID/FWD | 180cm | 72kg | 05/07/2006

One of eight bottom-agers in the state squad, Draper again proved he is more than up to the level as one of the Panthers’ key pieces on Saturday. He started forward but rotated through midfield, booting two goals from 19 disposals. Draper’s speed and agility were on show in short bursts and while his radar was off at times, he produced some eye-catching and effective plays on the attack. He also marked the ball well overhead and wasn’t afraid to absorb contact in different facets of play.

#10 Jack Delean
FWD | 181cm | 75kg | 15/04/2005

The first of South Adelaide’s multiple goalkickers on Saturday, Delean finished with 2.2 from 16 disposals roaming both high and deep forward. The crafty small knows how to draw free kicks inside 50 and did so for his two behinds, but converted better on his third set shot after the three-quarter time siren after playing on for his first major. Delean teased his speed and leap without any groundbreaking moments in either regard, but was most dangerous when able to make opponents look silly via one-on-one situations in space.

#12 Phoenix Hargrave
MID | 181cm | 83kg | 15/09/2006

Solid is probably the most apt word to describe Hargrave’s performance on Saturday, and perhaps his overall game. He notched up another 20 disposals in South Adelaide’s engine room and used his robust frame at the contest, scrapping away at ground balls. The midfielder was another who marked well overhead and was strong beyond his bottom-age status.

#23 Tom Wheaton
MID | 190cm | 82kg | 14/11/2005

Another of South Adelaide’s solid ball winners, Wheaton managed 22 disposals, eight marks and a goal from midfield. Though his physical attributes would hint at a lot of inside accumulation, Wheaton found plenty of possessions in kick-mark passages around the ground and was a generally neat user. He didn’t have quite enough explosive speed to effectively wheel away from the contest, but tried his luck and nearly snapped a goal that way. The top-ager eventually snared a six-pointer in the third quarter, kicking truly over the mark.

#40 Taylor Goad
RUCK | 205cm | 90kg | 28/04/2005

Goad was arguably the most impressive tall afield and continues to attract interest as a genuine draft prospect. Reading the ball well in flight, four of Goad’s five marks were contested and he wasn’t fazed by being outnumbered at times, leaning on his sheer size and reach to win nearly every ball he went up for. He won a game-high 19 hitouts and even hit the scoreboard with a set shot conversion in the first term, but can look to better direct his taps as he develops his ruck craft. Not many mobile and capable 205cm talents come along though, and Goad appears to be one.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Woodville-West Torrens overtook North Adelaide in the top four, after a 30-point home win to open Round 6. The Eagles led at every break and kept North to a goal or less in each quarter, taking the premiership points 7.14 (56) to 3.8 (26).

Callum Fairall and Brody Mair led all comers with 28 disposals apiece, while ruck Tom Luck had 23 to go with seven marks and 19 hitouts, as Kade Herbert (20 disposals, two goals) continued his strong form. Kane McAuliffe snared 1.2 from 21 touches for the Roosters.

Sturt exacted revenge in its second-consecutive match against Central District, beating the Bulldogs by three points on the road. Inaccuracy almost cost the Double Blues, who held on to win 6.15 (51) to 7.6 (48) and drew level on points with their ladder leading opponents.

State Under 18 squad members Loch Rawlinson (30 disposals) and Declan Gladigau (20) were among Sturt’s six individual goal kickers, with the former leading all comers alongside Centrals’ William O’Brien. Will McCabe (22 disposals) was one of many Bulldogs to post strong numbers in the loss.

Glenelg is level atop the SANFL Under 18s ladder after beating Norwood by 46 points in Saturday’s final game. The Bays kicked away with seven goals to two after half time, possessing too much firepower for the Redlegs in the 11.14 (80) to 5.4 (34) victory.

Bottom-aged Carlton father-son candidate Lucas Camporeale racked up 39 touches and 10 marks for the Bays, while twin Ben had it 25 times and Zac Earl kicked a game-high three goals. The Jacobs – Jones and Newton were Norwood’s top ball winners.