GLENELG flexed its class against Norwood at home on Saturday afternoon, showcasing great offensive output to win by 45 points.

The ladder read first against last but it didn’t feel that way as the Redlegs got off to a flyer with the first three goals, before Glenelg kicked away late in the second quarter to create a buffer too large to overcome.

Both sides boasted State Academy draft prospects who were able to impact across the ground. We noted which of them performed best in the Round 14 hitout.

GLENELG:

#1 Charlie McAuliffe
Forward | 176cm | 05/05/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 4 goals

The small forward imposed himself with his instinct at ground level, creating nightmares for his direct opponents. McAuliffe had two goals at the first break, utilising his speed to get first hands on the footy at the drop of the ball inside 50, but was also productive up the ground to assist in transition, lacing out some neat kicks inside 50. He was able to attack every ball that came in the forward half, taking some nice marks, laying some strong tackles, and converting set shots. His proactiveness kept him in the game when he was unable to score in the second half, able to capitalise on every opportunity.

#4 Lucas Camporeale
Wing | 185cm | 21/07/2006

Stats: 31 disposals, 7 tackles, 7 inside 50s

Work rate out of the defensive half was where Camporeale excelled, and he was able to turn the tide early with his instinctive decision-making by hand and ability to lower his eyes moving the ball inside the forward half. Often working in tandem with his brother, the connectivity through the corridor was predictable but effective in breaking down Norwood’s defensive structure, with most touches creating space further afield. In the back half of the contest, he was able to impact with a few defensive pressure acts, never too far away from impacting a contest.

#6 Kobe Gibson
Forward | 177cm | 09/07/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 goals

Gibson’s leading presence and speed at the drop of the ball inside 50 was critical in breaking the game open late in the second quarter for the Tigers. His work rate found him in uncontested areas inside 50 and when opportunities presented, Gibson was clinical, making no mistake in nailing his shots at goal, 100 per cent in front of the sticks. He was agile and productive further up the ground in transition and created space inside 50 with his off-ball efforts.

#11 Ben Camporeale
Midfield | 186cm | 21/07/2006

Stats: 38 disposals, 10 clearances, 8 inside 50s

Stoppage to stoppage, Camporeale was providing a physical presence, able to extract the footy in one-on-one contests and force the ball forward through a quick handball or short kick to an outside runner. His level of class was elevated through his ability to make instinctive decisions, spinning out of traffic at a moment’s notice, or manoeuvring his body around a contest to restrict a tackler. His kicking was refined moving through the corridor, but at times went long and deep inside 50 to big contests where the opportunity was there to lower the eyes.

#17 Harrison Ramm
Defender | 199cm | 05/12/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 13 hitouts

Ramm maximised his height and strength difference around the contest, working up the ground to take a contested mark down the line and dispose of it cleanly. In the defensive half, Ramm was able to help relieve Norwood’s pressure and in his ruck contests his taps were clinical and to advantage of the powerful midfield running beneath him.

Others:

Riley Shepherdson was productive for the Tigers, having an almost day with his athletic marking around the ground, but provided a strong leading presence all day and impacting at ground level. Oliver Betterman complimented the midfield with his poise in transition, creating space on the outside of contests, and generating the final kick or handball in an offensive chain.

NORWOOD:

#7 Ned Bowman
Forward | 186cm | 12/09/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s

Bowman had a game of moments, but his productivity without the footy went unrewarded at times. His transition running was powerful, showcasing moments of evasiveness forward of centre, prioritising offensive movement with ball in hand. During his periods inside 50 Bowman presented well as a marking option, and around the loose ball contests, tackled hard and impacted with pressure acts.

#12 Jack Michalanney
Defender | 187cm | 20/04/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 4 rebound 50s

The father-son prospect had moments across the ground, starting at halfback with quarters in the midfield mix. Off halfback, he was able to impact with a few intercept marks and was a swift user of the footy by hand to start transition movement out of the defensive half. Moving into the middle, Michalanney was agile at the stoppages, committed to his explosive movement to progress the ball forward. His delivery by foot inside 50 was effective and when his kicks were wayward, he chased them up and was consistently looking to impact and cause a stoppage.

#13 Will Prescott
Forward | 180cm | 26/03/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 5 goals

Prescott’s impact per possession kept the Redlegs in the contest early, with seven scoring shots from 12 disposals. His dare to attack the contest and bring down a strong mark was prevalent in the second as he had back-to-back goals. At ground level Prescott was alert and impacted with his speed, extracting the loose ball and quickly punishing scrappy defensive structures. His physicality made him a tough matchup throughout the contest and at times he was able to create separation to take easier uncontested marks.

Others:

Eamonn Cronin stood up for the Redlegs with his efficiency in front of goal, kicking the first of the day with a nice snap and using his body well to bring down some tough marks inside 50. Kristian Gould elevated Norwood’s pressure levels in the forward half, producing a plethora of second-effort moments and impacting with his delivery inside 50 alongside his efforts.

AROUND THE GROUNDS:

Woodville-West Torrens had a big second half to secure a 20-point victory over Sturt on Saturday afternoon.

Jett Hasting led the disposal count with 32, impacting with his movement out of the defensive half with eight rebound 50s, whilst tough intercept defender, Tate Delmenico, impacted with 12 marks in defensive 50.

Louis Kellaway was a workhorse around the contest with 31 disposals and 10 clearances, whilst Sam Waltham led the scorers with two goals for Sturt.

West Adelaide held off a fast-finishing Central Districts to secure their third win of the season, winners by seven points.

Sam Burbridge finished with 28 disposals, strong with his pressure across the ground. Up forward it was Lucas White finishing with three goals in a big win for the Bloods.

Ryan Lane-Ellis led the way for the Bulldogs in the middle, with eight clearances from 28 disposals in the Bulldogs loss.

North Adelaide was too strong for South Adelaide, winners by 69 points in the final of the game of the round.

Sam Cumming was emphatic for the Roosters, with 30 disposals and two goals to finish the day. Up forward Joel Bettess kicked a goal every second touch, with four goals from eight disposals.

Ben Dittmar was also super efficient with three goals from four disposals, while fellow forward Jake Agnew finished with 17 disposals and two goals.