CENTRAL District has advanced to the SANFL Under 18s Grand Final after defeating minor premier, Glenelg by 20 points in Saturday’s qualifying semi-final at Stratarama Stadium. In the elimination bout, Woodville-West Torrens pipped Sturt by three points to set up a preliminary final against the Bays.

We took note of how each South Australian Under 18 state representative and draft combine invitee fared across the two fixtures in the latest edition of Scouting Notes, along with a few others.

Sturt 13.2 (80) def. Woodville-West Torrens 12.11 (83)

STURT:

#36 Harley Barker
Wing | 187cm | 02/05/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals

Barker showcased some of his patented traits out on the wing, offering plenty of drive and gaining metres prolifically. The bottom-ager was not afraid to take the game on with a bit of dash and flair, baulking opponents and bursting forward on the outside. He made a good knack of getting free over the back and nabbed goals in the second and third quarters that way, proving particularly effective with his hard transitional running in the attacking phase.

#54 Sam Waltham
Key Forward | 194cm | 05/01/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 4 goals

Waltham proved that even if it’s not your day, it can be your moment with three final quarter goals to very nearly drag his side over the line. The Sturt skipper got on the board early in term one but was subdued thereafter, before slotting three crucial set shots to keep the Double Blues in touch. While state Under 18 defender Tate Delmenico did a good job at shutting him down, Waltham would not be denied with his strong presence inside 50 drawing free kicks for two of his game-high four majors. His final goal even put Sturt in the lead momentarily.

#62 Alex Dodson
Ruck/Forward | 203cm | 15/06/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 21 hitouts, 7 clearances

A real bolter in the draft space, Dodson took some time to showcase his best form on Saturday but did some nice things in the ruck. His ability to cover ground is exceptional, and the 203cm prospect was keen to engage in the ruck contest while also taking up good spots behind the ball. Dodson’s skills and efficiency lifted after a couple of costly errors in the defensive half during term two, though he had little trouble getting his hands on the ball throughout the game.

#64 Jacob Molier
Ruck/Forward | 201cm | 11/10/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 marks, 9 hitouts

Molier proved ample fold for Dodson in the ruck and showed flashes of the potential that earned him a state draft combine. The raw and mobile 201cm key position talent bagged an early goal and had his chances to be the hero late in the piece, but put a pair of set shots out on the full. Regardless, his touch at the centre bounces was promising at times, improvising well and switching up between big hits or deft touches to advantage.

Others:

Oscar Merrett was a powerful presence in midfield, often bursting his way forward and giving his all. He ended up with 19 disposals and five clearances to go with two terrific opening quarter goals. Felix Katsaros’ six marks and seven rebound 50s were enormous down back, as he absorbed plenty of pressure and repelled it by foot. Blake Thredgold (13 disposals, five marks) was also handy fold in defence, while SA Futures program members Noah Roberts-Thomson (19 and seven) and Louis Kellaway (16 and four) were solid.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#21 Rome Burgoyne
Defender/Midfielder | 182cm | 29/08/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s

Burgoyne provided his typically calm ball use throughout the game, waltzing up the ground from his primary post in defence. Once he had advanced the field, he held firm and helped the Eagles lock the ball in their front half. Burgoyne was adept at finding space and hitting targets in slow play, effectively setting up the game by foot. The Port Adelaide father-son prospect also rotated through midfield and produced touches of flair with a nice spin and fend-off in the final quarter.

#22 Jett Hasting
Midfielder/Defender | 182cm | 22/05/2006

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 6 clearances

Part of a robust Eagles engine room, Hasting was right up there among his side’s top ball winners. He competed fiercely on the inside, hitting opponents hard both with and without the ball. To compliment his clearance work, Hasting also tracked back behind the ball and was able to repel Sturt attacks when positioned a kick off the play.

#23 Harry Dodd
Midfielder/Defender | 184cm | 05/02/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s

Dodd was yet another Eagles midfielder who held his own in the middle and did the job in his side’s back half. He rose for a couple of terrific intercept marks, most notably in the first and third quarters, putting his body on the line and utilising his solid frame to win the ball in flight. When running on-ball, he scrapped away and looked to break through tackles by force.

#24 Kade Herbert
Midfielder/Forward | 184cm | 03/04/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Returning for just his third Under 18s game of the season, Herbert showed arguably the most urgency of any Eagles midfielder when it came to taking ground. Not blessed with natural pace, he drove his legs whenever possible and looked to break into space with short explosive spurts. He was prolific in the first half before spending more time forward in the second, where he attempted to connect the lines and generate momentum for his side. Herbert’s fundamentals – hard running, clean hands, and decision making – held him in good stead along with the additional elements.

#26 Logan Hughes
Tall Forward | 192cm | 21/05/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

A mobile tall forward, Hughes proved to be a useful link player in Woodville-West Torrens’ attacking forays. The bottom-ager showed good dexterity to make use of whatever delivery came his way as he hit up at the ball and fed runners to continue the chain. He started out with a wonderful goal in the opening term, positioning front-and-centre at the contest before crumbing and snapping the ball home with sheer class.

#28 Tate Delmenico
Tall Defender | 190cm | 05/12/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles

Delmenico’s stats may not jump off the page but he played a selfless team role in attempting to shut down Sturt’s tall forwards – primarily Waltham. He conceded a considerable amount of height in doing so but held his own physically and chimed in with a couple of strong defensive marks. Already up against it, he was unlucky to concede a late free kick for one of Waltham’s three final quarter goals, and can hang his hat on having given his all.

#30 Charlie West
Key Forward/Ruck | 195cm | 01/02/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s

West earned a national draft combine and showed why with a dynamic game on Saturday. The key forward couldn’t quite scrounge a goal but hit up strongly at the ball and held his own in physical battles. That included his work as a secondary ruck, battling against taller opponents. Among West’s best moments was a contested mark on the three-quarter time siren, and his pinpoint forward 50 delivery to assist Griffyn Hansen’s final term goal.

Others:

Jack Cook starred in midfield with 25 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances and a goal. His all-round influence was defiant of his bottom-age status. Another of the Eagles’ standouts was forward Jack Gray, who booted four goals from seven disposals as a reliable target inside 50.

Glenelg 9.5 (59) def. by Central District 12.7 (79)

GLENELG:

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 goals

In a rare outing without twin brother Ben by his side, Lucas Camporeale led Glenelg’s disposal count. He got an extended run through the middle and looked to stay active at stoppages, where he looked most effective as a first receiver, or second possession winner. The Carlton father-son prospect timed his runs well and was able to accelerate into space to use his raking left-foot kick. He was among the players who helped the Bays turn things around in term two, booting a pair of classy goals on his favoured side and showing nice balance in traffic.

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

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 tackles, 21 hitouts

Ramm’s stats don’t tell the full story of the monster shift he put in against Central District’s array of tall forwards. He was under the pump, particularly in the early stages, and had to scrap hard to split contests or deny the Bulldogs scores. Ramm also chopped out in the ruck and utilised his aerial range to win a respectable 21 hitouts. That same nous overhead saw him take a terrific intercept mark in the third quarter where he attacked the ball and juggled it in from front position.

#20 Thomas McKay
Tall Forward | 191cm | 27/10/2006

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 goal

It was a day of almosts for McKay, who has showcased his raw talent throughout the season. While utilised as a backman at state level, he has split his time up forward for the Bays and did so again on Saturday. The state draft combine invitee had limited opportunities in the opening quarter but began to show his spring and athleticism thereafter. He reeled in a bouncing ball for his only goal of the day in term two, finishing nicely on the run.

Others:

Kallan Bevan won a game-high seven clearances to make his mark through midfield, while Archer Rouvray’s second quarter efforts were integral to turning the game around. He finished with a goal from 15 touches and five marks. Oliver Betterman (17 disposals) was another productive ball mover through the middle, while Max Disbury (six rebound 50s) helped move the ball out of defensive 50. Elsewhere, Charlie McAuliffe (two goals) was typically busy in attack, and Reed Francis-Nia Nia (24 hitouts, four clearances) impacted in the ruck.

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#11 Ryan Lane-Ellis
Midfielder/Defender | 177cm | 22/12/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 clearances

It was a relatively quiet day for Lane-Ellis by his usual standards, though he made sure to impact with each possession. Starting in midfield, he looked to drive his legs or step laterally to find exits from the stoppages, with varying success. His ability to overlap and drive forward on the outside was effective, with Lane-Ellis breaking the lines and unleashing long kicks when possible.

#16 Joshua Reichelt
Defender | 180cm | 18/06/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Reichelt provided much of his usual dash and dare off half-back, taking the game on with his speed and getting good length on his kicks. He did well to hang off the back of contests and time his runs to receive overlap possessions, before breaking away and adding his touches of flair to the game. The bottom-ager also chimed in with a couple of relieving intercept marks.

#18 Tom Cochrane
Forward | 181cm | 27/01/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Central Districts’ lone state draft combine invitee this year, Cochrane very nearly produced a couple of terrific moments in the attacking half. He was an effective link player, often taking possession on the forward flank and wheeling towards goal. He showed power and strength to bustle his way into dangerous areas and notched two minor scores – one being a dribbler which turned too sharply.

#30 Tallan Rosenzweig
Key Forward | 197cm | 08/09/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

One of Central District’s attacking pillars, Rosenzweig drew plenty of attention as he looked to get busy both up the ground and close to goal. He was in the thick of things as his side built a formidable early lead, proving a tram player to shepherd for Charlie Nicholls, who booted the game’s opening goal. Rosenzweig got on the board himself when Ramm was off with the blood rule, taking advantage with a big contested mark. He then added a second goal in term four to kick away to a game-high lead.

#32 Matthew LeRay
Midfielder | 189cm | 22/02/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal

Comfortably Centrals’ top disposal winner with 28 – 10 more than the next best Bulldog – LeRay imposed himself as a dynamic and physical midfield presence. The bottom-ager showed a good knack for spinning out of tight spots and used his big frame to have a say at stoppages. He also worked into dangerous launch zones and helped his side connect inside 50, most notably with a goal on the run in term two where he snuck into space untracked.

#37 Charlie Nicholls
Key Forward | 197cm | 08/06/2006

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals

Nicholls started like a house on fire, producing all of his best work in the opening quarter. The mobile tall forward roamed up the ground and was far too good for several opponents as he booted three goals in the opening 17 minutes. Nicholls showcased his turn of speed to run onto the ball over the back before cutting inside to snap the opening major. He then took a pair of contested marks for his next two goals and also gave one off to Aidan Schubert. His output waned thereafter, though he helped set up the result with his prolific first 25 minutes.

#39 Aidan Schubert
Key Forward/Ruck | 195cm | 21/12/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

Schubert provided a chop-out in the ruck and drew some attention away from Centrals’ top-age tall forwards to get on the scoresheet himself. The bottom-ager scored in the first and third quarters, with his second major coming from a measured set shot. He covered ground well and flew at the ball nicely, while also proving nimble enough to follow up at ground level or grab and clear the ball.

Others:

With Centrals’ tall forwards thriving, Isiah Nettle also settled in for two goals. Primary ruckman James Noack had a say with six marks and 20 hitouts, leaping at the ball confidently. The likes of Brodie Wills (18 disposals, four clearances) and Mitchell McDonald (16 and three) also got stuck in through the middle, while Riley McDonald ended with a goal from 16 touches and five marks.

PRELIMINARY FINAL FIXTURE:

Glenelg vs. Woodville-West Torrens
Saturday September 7, 2:10pm @ Stratarama Stadium

Grand Finalist: Central District