CENTRAL District put a full-strength Under 18s side out on the park and duly delivered the four points in the inaugural round of the AAMI Talent League on Saturday. The Dogs team – which included a National Academy member and a further five players who have made their League debuts – demolished Glenelg in a 9.13 (67) to 0.0 (0) Round 1 result.

Given the quality on the part, the Bulldogs were heavy favourites coming into the match, and while inaccuracy through the first half might have delayed the eventual result, Central District got back on track with 7.6 in the second half to bulldoze their way to the 67-point victory.

Giving their young guns a chance to trial ahead of the League preseason, National Academy member Miyu Endersby – who has notched up 25 senior games across her first two eligible seasons – was somewhat of a surprise inclusion at the level, and she duly stepped up through the ruck. The Crows Academy member had 24 hitouts and kicked a goal from 10 disposals, five marks, three tackles and five inside 50s.

Fellow top-ager Tara Lord – who represented the Croweaters in the first game of the national championships last year – also had some chances on goal, but finished with three behinds from 11 touches. She clunked two contested marks from three grabs, and laid four tackles.

However the standout from the 2008-born stars was Demi Holloway, who further staked her claim for a Round 1 spot after 25 disposals, eight tackles, three clearances, five inside 50s and two goals. She worked well with bottom-age jet Charlotte Maurits, as the left-footer and double bottom-age Academy member Izabella Nisbet combined for 10 clearances from 47 disposals, eight marks and seven inside 50s.

Among the seven individual goalkickers from nine majors were top-age small Jyearah Newchurch – who also got her chance as a bottom-ager at the national championships last year – and former Giants Academy member and UTS Bats Best and Fairest winner Aoife Berry, who has opted to head to the City of Churches to begin her over-age season. Berry also had four clearances, three inside 50s and laid nine tackles in the win.

It was a tough result for a Glenelg side that had no League experienced players on the park, though there were promising signs from highly-touted bottom-ager Tori Evans. The country talent who has relocated to play higher level football, had an equal team-high 15 touches, as well as three marks, four tackles and six rebound 50s out of defence.

Maya Vonarx (15 disposals, three marks – one contested – five tackles, four clearances and two inside 50s) tried hard around the ball. Shanika Roberts-Yard (10 disposals, three marks and four tackles) and Lily Jinks (12 disposals, four tackles, two hitouts, three clearances, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s) were also amongst the Bays’ best.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

South Adelaide also flexed its muscles during a dominant eight-goal win over North Adelaide, getting up at Magain Stadium, 7.11 (53) to 0.5 (5). It was a grinding start with just a goal per quarter for the Panthers, before South opened the floodgates with four in the last quarter. Three of them came in the second half of the term, with Molly Jenkins and Jaidee-Lee Shortridge slotting all four from the quarter and combining for five each from the match.

Shortridge (17 disposals, five tackles, two inside 50s and three goals) starred throughout hte contest, while Demi-Lee Braun (22 disposals, two marks, three clearances, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s) kicked three behinds and Madison Brown (23 disposals, 11 tackles, eight clearances and five inside 50s) was enormous around the contest). Bridie Lukich (20 disposals, three marks, five tackles, three clearances, three inside 50s and two rebounds 50s) was very good for the Roosters, as was midfielder Neve Horvat (12 disposals, 10 tackles and seven clearances).

The match of the round from a neutral perspective was Norwood’s six-point thriller over Woodville-West Torrens. The Redlegs trailed by a goal at quarter time in a topsy turvy clash at The Parade, but kicked the only two majors of the final term to secure the tight victory, 6.8 (44) to 5.8 (38).

Mia Wood was fantastic for the home side, collecting 19 disposals, three marks – two contested – two tackles, four clearances, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s, while Ella Anderson booted an important fourth quarter goal and ended up with 15 disposals, three marks, three tackles, four clearances and four rebound 50s. Taylah Pearson kicked two goals and laid seven tackles with six hitouts. For the Eagles, top-age ruck Lucy Farnsworth did her League debut chances no harm with 26 hitouts and six clearances from 19 disposals, while Ruby Matthews (18 disposals, six clearances) also impressed.

In the opening game of the round, West Adelaide kept Sturt to just one major for the match in a 25-point victory. The Bloods booted three goals in the opening quarter, before just three more for the match were kicked after that. In the end, the home side recorded a comfortable 5.2 (32) to 1.1 (7) win.

Scarlett Blethyn lead the way with two majors from 13 disposals, two marks and two inside 50s, while Mercy Walsh (16 disposals, six clearances) and Zara Downes (14 disposals, seven clearances) took control around the stoppages. Sturt skipper Emily Duthy tried hard with a whopping 14 tackles from 19 disposals and six clearances. She brought the heat with Zina Hunt and Aaliyah Fox who both laid 10 tackles in the loss.