PORT Adelaide earned bragging rights in the 2025 SANFL Under 16 Showcase Game, as part of the weekend’s Gather Round festivities. The Power’s Next Generation Academy (NGA) side held on to beat the Crows Academies outfit by five points in a high-paced shootout at Tanunda Recreation Park.

South Australia’s top Under 16 talent converged for what was a curtain-raiser to the State Game between the SANFL and VFL. The Crows were on top in the first half but struggled to take their chances with a 6.10 scoreline, before the Power stormed ahead with seven straight majors in the third quarter.

A late three-goal surge from Adelaide threatened to turn the ledger in a thrilling finish, but Port held on to come away 14.6 (90) to 12.13 (85) victors. Under the heat in Tanunda, quarter lengths were shortened from 23 minutes to 20 after half time, which may have cut short Adelaide’s momentum in hindsight.

Port Adelaide was represented by players from Norwood, South Adelaide, West Adelaide, and Woodville-West Torrens, while those from Central District, Glenelg, North Adelaide and Sturt donned the Crows’ tricolours. The game was essentially a trial for the SA Under 16 National Championships squad.

ADELAIDE NGA 3.6 | 6.10 | 7.11 | 12.13 (85)
PORT ADELAIDE NGA 4.1 | 5.4 | 12.4 | 14.6 (90)

GOALS:
Adelaide: B. Whimpress 3, J. Jarrad 2, J. Evitts, T. Garrett, A. Simpson, F. Spanagel, C. Tamas, H. Tamblyn, H. Webb
Port Adelaide: H. Bonney-Tucker 3, O. Couzner 2, H. Thyer 2, C. Allen, L. Andriani, K. Ivins, C. Jones, H. Scholes, O. South, W. Trengove

RMC BEST:
Adelaide: T. Garrett, H. Chapman, H. Semmler, B. Whimpress, C. Gallasch
Port Adelaide: L. Andriani, T. Sampson, K. Ivins, H. Bonney-Tucker, W. Trengove

CROWS ACADEMIES:

#4 Jack Evitts (Glenelg)
Wing | 175cm | 18/08/2009

Operating off a wing for the Crows, Evitts had serious moments of class with his disposal by hand and foot. He started out with a slick defensive 50 exit kick on the move and dished off a no-look handball later in the first quarter. The Glenelg prospect also snuck forward to good effect, slotting a goal on the run in term two and setting one up for Harry Tamblyn in the final quarter.

#6 Carter Gallasch (Sturt)
Forward | 177cm | 18/01/2009

Gallasch was one of the most lively and effective forwards afield, with many of the Crows’ attacks going through him. He would often get separation to his opponent to win possession hitting up to the top of forward 50, displaying speed and a strong set of hands. He swooped on ground balls but was also solid in the air, with only his end product lacking having kicked several minor scores.

#13 Taj Garrett (Sturt)
Defender/Midfielder | 183cm | 05/01/2009

Arguably the best player afield in a losing side, Garrett showed why he was picked to represent SA’s Under 16s as a bottom-ager last year. The smooth moving Sturt prospect started in defence before a shift into midfield, where his darting turn of speed and ability to break the lines shone through. Garrett ventured on forays with several running bounces and proved strong overhead, taking the ball one-touch before setting off. His dynamic style matched the urgency required as Adelaide fell behind, and he slotted a classy goal on the run during term two. One to watch.

#15 Archie Simpson (North Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 30/03/2009

A rotating midfielder who seemed to impact there more as the day wore on, Simpson first caught the eye inside 50. He presented on a charging lead and later swooped to snap a goal in the opening quarter before getting to work on-ball. Simpson was strong over the pill and showcased good power to absorb contact, proving a reliable feeder by hand around the contest.

#22 Ollie Glover (Sturt)
Midfielder | 189cm | 11/02/2009

One of the taller midfielders around the action, Glover showed signs of composure and skill when exiting the contest. He moved quite well for a 189cm player and was efficient by hand, knowing where the space was and how to time his releases. He assisted Garrett that way from a forward 50 stoppage and later used his size to break forward from the centre as Adelaide stormed home hard.

#24 Brayden Whimpress (Central District)
Key Forward | 194cm | 14/04/2009

Spearheading his side with an equal game-high three goals, Whimpress’ only scoreless quarter was the third – when Port Adelaide ran rampant. He bagged the first goal of the game with a good bit of bodywork to mark before playing on with an accurate snap. Whimpress’ one-on-one craft continued to impress as he competed hard for each ball that came his way inside 50, and converted his chances. He also worked hard to present as a viable connection piece up the ground.

#25 Harvey Chapman (Sturt)
Key Defender | 194cm | 10/08/2009

Leading the Crows as a pillar in defence, Chapman seemed to snaffle up everything that came his way. He enjoyed a good battle with Owen Couzner in the first half and read the play remarkably well to rack up several intercept marks. Whether deep in defence or on a high line up the field, Chapman was able to impact aerially with expert positioning, before helping his side rebound with attacking options by foot. He shapes as a similar prospect to 2023 state U18 captain Will Patton.

#27 Hugo Semmler (Central District)
Ruck/Key Forward | 195cm | 01/09/2009

The Crows’ frontline ruck and tallest player, Semmler also showed promise as a mobile forward. He positioned well behind the ball to take a couple of intercept marks in the attacking half, while also using his speed to present at kickers and apply pressure to the opposition. Semmler’s skills were quite neat one of his best plays came in the final quarter, as he roved a stoppage before fending off an opponent and dishing the ball off. The play sparked an end-to-end transition for Adelaide.

PORT ADELAIDE NGA:

#3 Will Trengove (Woodville-West Torrens)
Midfielder | 170cm | 15/03/2009

A powerful small midfielder, Trengove could often be seen driving his legs away from the contest after burrowing in to win possession. He seemed to get better and more expansive as the game wore on, generating more run in the second half and slotting a goal on the move during term three. He also had a chance to score in the second quarter but put his free kick wide.

#4 Laurence Andriani (West Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 19/08/2009

You’d be forgiven for thinking there were clones of Andriani in each third of the field, such was his ability to cover ground on Saturday. The diminutive midfielder showcased serious running power to accumulate possessions like no other, playing in constant motion. He proved he could shark the ball at stoppage but spread hard to compound his impact. Andriani’s size meant his disposal was sometimes impacted by physical pressure, but he timed his run well to dribble a goal at the start of term three. He was seemingly everywhere during the second and third quarters.

#8 Hensley Bonney-Tucker (Woodville-West Torrens)
Forward | 180cm | 26/04/2009

Bonney-Tucker came to life in the third quarter, booting two of his three majors to coincide with Port Adelaide’s decisive run of six-straight. He seemed able to play taller than his 180cm standing, showcasing dynamic movement and a strong set of hands overhead. The Eagles prospect struck his set shots sweetly in term three, but bagged his first major in open play during the previous quarter. That score came on the end of a crafty bit of combination play with Oli South.

#13 Kai Ivins (Norwood)
Midfielder | 183cm | 14/09/2009

A relative mainstay in the heavily rotated Port Adelaide engine room, Ivins constantly worked into good positions to receive the ball and launch attacks – whether out of the stoppage or in open play. The smooth mover always did enough to evade would-be tacklers with a burst of speed, jetting into dangerous positions through the corridor to deliver the ball inside 50. His best bit of work was a goal in term one, where he swooped on a loose ball in the pocket and quickly snapped it home.

#14 Oli South (South Adelaide)
Wing/Forward | 183cm | 06/07/2009

South showed class in more ways than one on Saturday, including a moment of sportsmanship where he helped carry opponent Harrison Webb as he limped off the field. He often lined up on the wing but also impacted in the front half, including in an agile bit of play to set up Bonney-Tucker’s first goal. He hit the scoreboard himself in the final quarter with a nice snap around the body.

#16 Cooper Allen (Norwood)
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 30/06/2009

Allen made a bright start, impacting around the contest with a couple of clearances having taken the ball cleanly off taps. A taller presence at stoppage, his handling and dynamic movement translated to success inside 50 as he snapped a goal on the turn in the final quarter. He was also capable of taking marks on the lead and combined well with Ivins to give Port some early field position.

#18 Owen Couzner (Norwood)
Forward | 187cm | 04/06/2009

Couzner operated as a tall marking forward who could also impact at ground level, having opposition captain Harvey Chapman line up on him. He gave him trouble with his speed, presenting well on the lead and looking dangerous when the ball hit the deck as the more mobile player. Couzner slotted set shot goals in the first and third quarters before a brief move to defence.

#24 Tate Sampson (Woodville-West Torrens)
Ruck | 196cm | 29/08/2009

Co-captaining Port Adelaide alongside classy kicker Dean Hatedakis, Sampson was his side’s best tall asset. He showcased a spring-heeled leap in the ruck and did well to turn his body while aerial in an attempt to guide his hits down to advantage. A lean type at 196cm, Sampson also followed up well, including with a holding-the-ball tackle to start term two, among his strong defensive efforts.