Around the Grounds: Twin father-son guns make senior debuts
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CARLTON father-son prospects Ben and Lucas Camporeale turned out for their SANFL Reserves debuts on Sunday in typically prolific fashion. The sons of 233-game Blue Scott helped Glenelg hold on for a two-point win over Sturt at Unley Oval in their maiden senior berths.
Ben, who was recently named South Australia’s Under 18 MVP, notched 22 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances in the victory. Lucas was right behind on 19 touches and seven marks, with the twins combining typically well on either side of the Bays’ midfield.
Their senior exposure comes on the back of outstanding junior form. Both players returned with a bang from the National Championships, averaging 35 (Ben) and 29 (Lucas) disposals respectively in their first two games back in Glenelg’s Under 18 side. The promotion was almost inevitable.
Both players have been tracked closely by Carlton in the lead-up to this year’s draft, with the Blues well equipped to match bids for the budding brothers. Ben – an inside midfielder – is considered a chance to be taken in the first two rounds, while Lucas – a wingman – is a late-draft prospect.
Elsewhere in the SANFL Reserves, Central District pair Dyson Sharp (20 disposals, seven tackles) and Charlie Nicholls (nine disposals, one goal) helped the Bulldogs score an upset win over ladder leader, Norwood. The result means Centrals remain in the finals hunt.
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Sharp is an esteemed bottom-ager who has translated his junior form to consistent output up the grades. The midfielder took out last year’s Kevin Sheehan Medal as the Under 16 national carnival MVP. Nicholls, who played his third Reserves game, is a mobile key forward in draft contention.
After making his debut back in Round 7, South Adelaide midfielder-forward Benny Barrett was lively in the Panthers’ crucial win over North Adelaide. The diminutive prospect, part of Port Adelaide’s NGA, picked up 23 disposals, seven tackles and a goal as his side continues its pursuit for fifth spot.
South Adelaide also extended its exposure of star juniors in the top flight. State Under 18 captain Sid Draper was again outstanding in the Panthers’ midfield, posting 23 disposals and five clearances. He showcased his game-winning qualities with a brilliant goal in the back-end of the third quarter.
In the same game, teammate Phoenix Hargrave (15 disposals, three clearances) also got a run through the middle. He made his League debut last week. Port Adelaide father-son prospect Rome Burgoyne (eight disposals, three marks) continued his stint with the Magpies, who went down by 15 points.
Adelaide son of a gun Tyler Welsh made his sixth senior appearance for the Crows in the meantime. The bustling forward hit the scoreboard for the third straight game, bagging a personal best two majors from seven disposals and two marks as his side defeated North Adelaide.
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The race for top spot in the SANFL Under 18s remains wide open with only three rounds left to play. Despite going down by nine points to third-placed Sturt, Glenelg remains in the box seat to take out the minor premiership with a one-game gap to the Double Blues and Central District.
Sturt’s bounceback win was fronted by Oscar Merrett, who gathered 28 disposals, eight clearances and a goal. State representatives Ned Atkinson (16 disposals, two goals) and Alex Dodson (18 hitouts, one goal) were solid, while Glenelg’s Oliver Betterman led all comers with 30 touches and seven tackles.
Central District joined Sturt back on the winners list with a 33-point victory over the last-placed Norwood – only a week removed from its defeat to former cellar dweller, West Adelaide. The Bulldogs are firmly in the race for top spot, only a game behind Glenelg and level with Sturt in second.
Talls Aidan Schubert (three goals) and Tallan Rosenzweig (two) spearheaded the victory, while Beau Ryan (26 disposals, 10 marks, two goals) was filled his boots. Ryan Lane-Ellis also had a game-high 26 touches and Under 16 star Douglas Cochrane showed his wares with five marks.
Norwood defender Noah Daw was among his side’s best players after collecting 22 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s. The tall bottom-age talent was part of South Australia’s Under 18 squad but missed out on representative honours due to an untimely collarbone break.
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Woodville-West Torrens’ defence held firm in a 65-point thumping of West Adelaide, keeping the Eagles in touch with the top four. Jett Hasting and Jevan Phillipou both racked up 36 disposals, while Zac Schwarz had 32 to go with 11 clearances in the win.
State squad members like versatile tall Charlie West (26 disposals), and defenders Harry Dodd (25) and Tate Delmenico (20, nine marks) also filled their boots, and Jack Gray cashed in with five goals. Meanwhile, Ayden Hodgson and Samuel Burbridge were again at the forefront for Westies.
The Eagles are currently chasing North Adelaide for the last finals spot, but the Roosters remain ahead after a 51-point win over South Adelaide. The Panthers’ premiership defence is now officially over having fallen to their 11th loss for the season, languishing in sixth spot.
Oliver Francou had a day out with 29 touches, nine tackles and two goals. Samuel Cumming (25 disposals) was also terrific for the victors alongside Port Adelaide father-son hopeful Louie Montgomery (22), with the pair combining for 16 tackles.
South Adelaide was served well by Cohen Shortridge, who stuffed the stats sheet with 23 disposals, 15 tackles, eight clearances and a goal. Captain Jacob Sheean was serviceable for 20 disposals and nine rebound 50s, while state teammate Ryan Borlace amassed 31 hitouts in the ruck.