TEAM Blue took the chocolates in Sunday’s annual SANFL Under 17 Futures match, played as a curtain-raiser to the Reserves Grand Final at Adelaide Oval. The exhibition game showcased some of South Australia’s best 2008 and 2009-born prospects, primed for the next two AFL drafts.

An entertaining opening quarter yielded the most scoring, with Team Blue taking the lead and never looking back. They kicked away with three goals to one in term two as Team Yellow’s inaccuracy saw them struggle to bridge the gap thereafter. In the end, the Blue side rode out a 13-point win.

TEAM BLUE 4.4 | 7.7 | 8.7 | 9.7 (61)
TEAM YELLOW 3.2 | 4.4 | 5.9 | 6.12 (48)

GOALS:
Blue: B. Karpany 2, H. Semmler 2, J. McNicol, A. White, C. Moss, B. Beaven, H. Chapman
Yellow: K. Shortridge 2, L. Andriani, H. Pearce, R. Davies, E. Herbert

BEST:
Blue: J. McNicol, K. Edwards, A. White, H. Semmler, J. Eime
Yellow: E. Herbert, D. Hatedakis, H. Pearce, I. Wilkinson, K. Shortridge

TEAM BLUE:

#5 Jack Eime (Central District)
Defender/Midfielder | 2008

Eime was Team Blue’s primary playmaker from defence in the first half, sparking attacks from the restarts and advancing high up the ground. He facilitated plenty of fast transitional play, backing his pace to carry the ball along the wing and launch inside 50. The speedster was then thrust into midfield after the main break, and while his daring runs dried up, he helped his side see out the win.

#7 Jacob McNicol (Glenelg)
Midfielder/Forward | 2008

Named best on ground for Team Blue, McNicol caused constant headaches for the opposition. The classy left-footer made countless threatening runs in the attacking half, peeling forward to receive and drive his legs into launch zones. His fancy footwork and sharp skills were key features throughout the day, first in midfield and eventually up forward. McNicol drilled home a running goal in the opening quarter and had opportunities thereafter, also setting up others along the way.

#9 Hudson Boal (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Defender | 2009

Along with McNicol and Kodah Edwards, Boal helped drive Team Blue’s first half midfield advantage. His turn of foot helped break open the clinches as rain fell intermittently at Adelaide Oval. Boal was clean below his knees and accumulated at the contest, using his quick feet to drive out of traffic or set others into space. He made his impact early to set up the result.

#17 Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Defender | 2008

One of the most prolific players afield, Edwards racked up possessions throughout the day. The Team Blue captain started in midfield where his toughness and clean extraction work set a strong tone. He dropped back to support the defence as an outlet option and interceptor, before eventually playing down back in the second half. There, Edwards rebounded with impetus from the restarts and continued to accumulate. His competitive style also suited that secondary role.

#21 Jack Leys (Woodville-West Torrens)
Wing/Midfielder | 2008

Leys is one for Richmond fans to monitor as a father-son prospect for next year – his father Brian played 110 games for the Tigers. The evasive Eagles wingman took ground on the outside and delivered on the move, looking equal parts poised and polished. He was shifted to the inside after half time and continued to be an effective receiver, carrying the ball forward and hitting targets.

#27 Angus White (South Adelaide)
Forward/Midfielder | 2008

White started brightly, exhibiting his patented power with a bursting snap goal in the opening quarter – Team Blue’s first for the match. Along with Charlie Moss, he provided connection up the ground but looked most dangerous around the big sticks before shifting into midfield. There, he continued to be a threat through the corridor and won his own ball with strength at the contest.

#29 Charlie Moss (Central District)
Forward/Defender | 2008

Moss was utilised at both ends of the ground on Sunday, starting up forward before being swung to defence. He connected the lines by working up the ground and helping drive the ball inside 50. Moss got on the end of one attack to hit the scoreboard in term one, and then became the player to set up from kick-ins. He generally used the ball safely to craft effective restarts.

#53 Hugo Semmler (Central District)
Key Forward/Ruck | 2009

Semmler brought his usual competitiveness and aerial prowess to the contest, stamping his claim as one of South Australia’s top 2009-born talls. He booted two goals in the first half and eventually spent more time rucking, where his follow-up work was impressive for a player his size. The state Under 16 MVP applied physicality and stood up in packs to bring Team Blue’s smalls into the game. His day ended early in term four as he went down clutching his lower leg after being smothered.

TEAM YELLOW:

#4 Laurence Andriani (West Adelaide)
Midfielder/Wing | 2009

Andriani was his productive best on Sunday, accumulating possessions through sheer work rate and will. He linked up well with teammates, playing in constant motion to hit short passes and follow up his initial acts. The Westies Under 16 premiership player added fluency to Team Yellow’s ball movement, running riot on both sides of midfield. He showed an ability to fold in on the contest or hold width, and slotted a set shot goal in the final quarter after receiving a 25m penalty.

#8 Kody Shortridge (South Adelaide)
Forward/Wing | 2008

Shortridge made his mark early with two opening quarter goals. He first popped up with a gutsy overhead mark to slot his opening goal, before steadying nicely on the run for number two. Shortridge’s smarts lended to his dangerous movement, seeing him give Team Yellow good looks heading inside 50. He ended up shifting up to the wing after half time where he continued to set up scoring opportunities with darting foot skills, vision, and sound decision making.

#10 Dean Hatedakis (West Adelaide)
Defender/Midfielder | 2009

Another influential Under 16 talent for Team Yellow, Hatedakis provided terrific rebound out of defence before injecting run to the midfield battle. He combined well with West Adelaide teammate Andriani to surge through the corridor with strong attacking instincts. Hatedakis was also prepared to do the tough stuff defensively before flicking the switch to take the game to Team Blue.

#16 Taj Garrett (Sturt)
Wing/Midfielder | 2009

One of four Under 16 All Australians out there, Garrett was prolific as always on either side of midfield. His ability to cover ground on the outside allowed him to support Team Yellow’s transitions out of defence, while also weighting his kicks heading inside forward 50. Garrett, who recently won an Under 18 flag with Sturt, also proved he could get it done on the inside in a well-rounded game.

#30 Jack Gordon (Central District)
Defender | 2008

Gordon was particularly prominent in the first half, acting as Team Yellow’s general down back. He distributed the ball nicely by foot and got into good spots to intercept on the edge of defensive 50. The Centrals prospect played with authority and was his side’s main avenue out of the last line, proving ample preparation for the upcoming National Futures game on AFL Grand Final day.

#32 Archie Van Dyk (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Defender | 2008

The Team Yellow captain was a consistent presence throughout the day, first in midfield before switching to defence. Van Dyk’s best early moments were back-to-back intercept marks at half-forward, with his aerial ability coming to the fore. Those vice-like hands were also useful among the midfield battle, where Van Dyk extracted and distributed the ball cleanly. He tended to blaze away a little more by foot, but showed great vision and awareness when going by hand.

#54 Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
Ruck/Key Forward | 2008

Arguably best afield for the losing side, Herbert was like a fourth midfielder at times for Team Yellow. He dominated in the ruck and tracked forward well to compound his follow-up work. Herbert’s clean handling and polished foot skills were impressive for a player his size, traits which will make him a leading ruck prospect next year. He ran out the game up forward as a centrepiece deep inside 50, slotting a set shot goal in the third quarter after a long kick fell into his lap.