STURT has maintained its perfect start to the AAMI Talent League season after proving too good for North Adelaide in Round 3. The Double Blues led at every break in the 35-point victory at Thomas Farms Oval, as several state squad members continued to make an impression on the competition. We took note of some of the top prospects and performers from either side.

STURT 3.3 | 8.3 | 11.7 | 13.9 (87)
NORTH ADELAIDE 2.2 | 5.7 | 6.8 | 7.10 (52)

GOALS:
Sturt: N. Mitchell 3, B. Beaven 2, R. Davies 2, K. Matthews-Hampton 2, J. Nelson, E. Schultze, J. White, I. Wilkinson
North Adelaide: M. Wareing 3, B. Amos, K. Collins, A. Simpson, A. Zerella

RMC BEST:
Sturt: J. Nelson, W. Ekberg, K. Matthews-Hampton, B. Barnard, T. Garrett
North Adelaide: E. Herbert, H. Tamblyn, Z. Young, M. Crosby, A. Simpson

STURT:

#6 Will Ekberg
Midfielder | 177cm | 05/02/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 8 clearances, 6 inside 50s

While Sturt boasted a bit of added size in the on-ball department, Ekberg added a handy point of difference with his roving ability. He showed great smarts to anticipate the drop of the ball and sharked plenty of clearances on the move, proving difficult to tie down with his core strength and agility. Ekberg was polished by hand and on top of leading his side for clearances, spread forward well to get involved in chains which ended in scoring chances.

#20 Ben Barnard
Defender | 182cm | 26/03/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 5 inside 50s

Barnard started like a house on fire, mopping up everything across Sturt’s backline and getting his side going on the rebound. His high positioning and shrewd reading of the play lended to several intercepts, where he could quickly flick the switch into attack mode by hitting targets off either foot. The Northern Territory native showed finesse with his ability to screw kicks around his body, facilitating Sturt’s transitional play through quick thinking and improvisation.

#22 Taj Garrett
Wing | 183cm | 05/01/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 10 marks, 5 inside 50s

As is usually the case, Garrett was a key transitional avenue for Sturt as he connected the lines in his customary wing role. The bottom-ager showed an ability to get dangerous on the way forward, but was just as willing to drop back and help the Double Blues move out of defence. Garrett went by foot with 15 of his 16 disposals and was perhaps undone by pressure on his kick, albeit driving the ball long into dangerous areas. His work rate and ability to hold width are terrific.

#25 Jack Nelson
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 29/09/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 clearances, 10 inside 50s, 1 goal

Nelson has made an outstanding start to the season and that continued on Friday. The smooth moving midfielder started forward but joined in at stoppages and was incredibly clean when moving through traffic. His ability to collect ground balls and step into space was equal measures eye-catching and effective, with Nelson hardly ever looking rushed in possession. That poise and lateral movement was complimented by a knack for drifting into space forward of the ball, which allowed him to hit the scoreboard for a third week running. He was also made to ride a few heavy bumps, but popped back up each time in what was another well-rounded performance.

#35 Kale Matthews-Hampton
Midfielder | 187cm | 19/05/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals

Having made his name down back, Matthews-Hampton ran through Sturt’s midfield on Friday as he stakes his draft claim in 2026. The dual-sports athlete wasn’t necessarily a first possession winner, but patrolled the centre of the ground and showed dash to surge the ball forward as he often would off half-back. Matthews-Hampton read the play well to act on either intercept or overlap opportunities, although had an up-and-down kicking day. On one hand, he slammed through two terrific long-range goals, while on the other he miscued a few passes on the run or under pressure.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#1 Ethan Herbert
Ruck | 199cm | 01/11/2008

Stats: 31 disposals, 34 hitouts, 12 clearances, 10 inside 50s

There is arguably very little left for Herbert to prove at this level having once again produced monster numbers across the board. His quadruple-double stat line was indicative of a dominant all-round display, whereby the 199cm talent imposed himself with strong bodywork and mobile play around the ground. He showed a knack for grabbing the ball from the ruck and dishing off, but also looked to direct his taps having gained clear access to the ball. Herbert’s movement and follow-up work were equally fluent, while he was a strong option on long kicks down the line. Perhaps impacting more on his forward rotation will help him make the step to senior footy.

#13 Archie Simpson
Forward/Wing | 182cm | 30/03/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

There is no denying Simpson’s flair, but adding substance is just as important. The bottom-ager has done that in impactful spurts this season, providing a spark when his side is down. After North conceded a run of six straight goals in term two, it was Simpson’s energy and run which helped drag the Roosters back into the contest. He worked up the ground and broke the game open with his speed on the way back, while also creating scoring chances via creative kicks. Simpson can border on erratic at times, but proved to be a valuable connection piece as he shifted up to the wing. Plenty of North’s attacks went through him, and he had several attempts on goal himself.

#24 Harry Tamblyn
Defender | 178cm | 17/12/2009

Stats: 37 disposals, 9 marks, 10 rebound 50s

With Sam Tassone out of the side, Tamblyn took it upon himself to be North’s main avenue out of defence. He went to work as a distributional asset, using his left foot on the rebound in a high-volume outing. The bottom-ager matched up on Sturt’s dangerous rotating mids – like Nelson and Matthews-Hampton – and punched above his weight to rise for several defensive 50 marks. While he found trouble at times, Tamblyn looked dangerous when pressing up high and streaming through stoppages to launch the ball inside forward 50. Going direct proved most effective.

#26 Zackariah Young (Port Adelaide NGA)
Midfielder | 180cm | 30/04/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 12 tackles, 8 clearances

Entrusted with near-permanent midfield minutes, Young produced easily his best performance of the season so far. The Port Adelaide NGA prospect brought hardness and defensive intent to the contest, laying a game-high 12 tackles – including several brutal hits. Young ragdolled opponents and took every opportunity to apply physicality, while never being beaten twice when the ball was in dispute. His handling was clean and he competed well overhead, but was a little scrappy when going by foot, often delivering the ball flat and low.