SOUTH Australia took out its trial match against a combined Giants and Swans Academy side on Sunday, notching a comfortable 34-point win at Thebarton Oval.

Both sides were without their national academy stars and struggled a touch in front of goal, but had prospects stake their claims ahead of the Under 18 National Championships.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.5 | 4.9 | 7.11 | 11.14 (80)
GIANTS/SWANS 0.2 | 2.2 | 3.7 | 6.10 (46)

GOALS:

South Australia: P. Toole 2, J. Dignan 2, K. Herbert, P. Hargrave, T. Luck, L. Fawcett, P. Weckert, C. Fairall, L. Rawlinson
Giants/Swans: M. Rider 2, J. Lugsdin, T. Moraschi, T. Gander, C. McCormack

RMC BEST:

South Australia: W. McCabe, L. Fawcett, D. Gladigau, S. Wauer, P. Toole
Giants/Swans: I. Kirk, D. Gauci, M. Rider, T. Gander, J. Delana

SCOUTING NOTES

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#3 Callum Fairall (Woodville-West Torrens)
27/08/2005 | 188cm | Midfielder/Defender

Starting in defence before shifting through midfield, Fairall was busy throughout the game with plenty of clever touches in tight spots. He held his balance and nerve under pressure, even slotting a goal in the third quarter to round out a solid overall outing from the Eagles top-ager.

#4 Patrick Toole (Woodville-West Torrens)
05/04/2005 | 183cm | Forward

One of just two multiple goal kickers for the Crowaters, Toole looked lively in attack where he arguably does his best work. The Eagles prospect showcased nice poise and evasive skills to twist and turn his way to space, while also finishing nicely on instinct. Both of his majors came via snaps, with his set shot attempts proving less fruitful.

#5 Kade Herbert (Woodville-West Torrens)
03/04/2006 | 183cm | Midfielder/Forward

There was a half-dozen bottom-aged players afield for South Australia, and Herbert was one whose performance would have pleased his coaches. Yet another Eagles product, he rotated forward from midfield and looked sharp when wheeling onto his favoured left side. He did a couple of nice things inside 50, assisting Fairall’s goal by hand and selling some candy before converting one himself.

#6 Seb Wauer (Central District)
15/01/2005 | 185cm | Midfielder

Operating on both sides of midfield, Wauer was a productive runner between the arcs and made an impact with some of his delivery inside 50. The Central District top-ager was composed in those instances, lowering his eyes and darting passes through small pockets of space to give his teammates scoring opportunities.

#9 Bodie Ryan (Glenelg)
20/04/2005 | 188cm | Defender

Playing up to his family name in defence, Ryan went about doing his usual work behind the ball with shrewd intercepts and rebound quality. He fared typically well overhead and also mopped up at ground level, before driving forward on the attack. He’s very similar in style to 2022 Collingwood draftee and cousin, Jakob Ryan.

#15 Declan Gladigau (Sturt)
24/08/2005 | 181cm | Wing

Arguably the most productive outside runner afield, Gladigau worked both ways to accumulate possessions and help South Australia gain some fluency in transition. While capable of releasing others in handball chains, the Sturt prospect looked best when jetting off on the overlap and unleashing long kicks – though, he could look to lower his eyes more often.

#22 Will McCabe (Central District)
29/09/2005 | 197cm | Key Defender

Comfortably the best afield and most draftable talent for either side, McCabe showcased his incredible athleticism and intercept ability down back. He launched for a series of high marks, clunking them cleanly to show clear improvement in that area. The Hawthorn father-son candidate was also dynamic across the ground, taking off at speed and spinning out of trouble before delivering long kicks down the line. He’s firming as a first round talent and has potential as a swingman.

#36 Tom Luck (Woodville-West Torrens)
06/04/2006 | 195cm | Ruck/Forward

Luck was yet another Eagles player to impress, rotating between the ruck and forward line. He took a huge speccy in the first quarter and went on to have a greater aerial influence when rucking, particularly in term three where he clunked a couple of long kick-outs. The bottom-ager also booted a goal and will have to develop his forward craft given he’s currently a touch undersized to be a genuine ruck at the next level.

#37 Liam Fawcett (Central District)
22/04/2005 | 198cm | Key Forward

Fawcett was one of South Australia’s many aerial threats in attack, building on his strong SANFL U18s form to produce another promising performance. He was difficult to stop on the lead and extended nicely at the ball to take many marks, but lacked the same assuredness in his set shots. Fawcett snapped a single goal, missing several kicks over the mark in the meantime.

#41 Patrick Weckert (Woodville-West Torrens)
23/01/2005 | 191cm | Tall Forward

One of the few players afield with senior experience, Weckert teamed up with Fawcett to give the Giants/Swans defenders headaches up forward. He launched at the ball nicely and looked to take marks at the highest point, even working up to the wing and being rewarded with a second term goal for his strong first half.

GIANTS/SWANS ACADEMIES:

#4 Josaia Delana (Giants Academy)
01/07/2006 | 174cm | Small Forward

A lively small, Delana worked high up the ground from half-forward and looked to drive the ball into attack. He shrugged tackles and competed well at ground level, zipping away from congestion before darting passes inside 50. The bottom-ager has some nice tricks.

#23 Daniel Gauci (Giants Academy)
23/02/2005 | 177cm | Midfielder

One of the Rams’ midfield mainstays, Gauci took little time to work into the contest and get his hands on the ball. The Giants Academy accumulator mopped up stoppage spills and looked to drive his legs to the outside, while also waxing nicely by hand with teammates to find clean exits.

#25 Indhi Kirk (Swans Academy)
31/08/2004 | 181cm | Midfielder

The Rams’ midfield was not massively blessed with height but there were enough contested ball winners to allow Kirk to do his best work. Nonetheless, he won plenty of his own ball and was neat in the short range, even feeding others onto the outside. He looked best as the receiver though, where he could properly assess his options and hit targets sharply out of congestion.

#26 Christian Webster (Swans Academy)
16/07/2004 | 193cm | Tall Defender

More of an attacking defender at 193cm, Webster could have better kept his head on a swivel but thrived with ball in hand. He took plenty of kick-ins and was relatively comfortable running the ball out of the backline. Unfortunately, the over-ager’s day ended a few minutes early, as he was helped off in the final term after hurting his ankle in a contest.

#41 Tye Gander (Swans Academy)
04/04/2004 | 192cm | Tall Forward

Utilised as a forward, Gander showcased his marking prowess with spring-heeled leaps and strong hands. He missed a couple of chances in the third term but went on to snare a goal in the fourth, finishing beautifully in the same motion as he clunked a strong grab. The 192cm over-ager has a bit about him.

#44 Charlie McCormack (Giants Academy)
02/04/2005 | 198cm | Key Forward

Another tall who showed promising signs, McCormack impressed with his improving ability to present high on the lead. The top-ager looked more balanced and though he remains a raw prospect, didn’t make too many mistakes once the ball came his way. He was rewarded with a late goal after his attempts to create for others.