SOUTH Australia’s Under 18 side got its trial period underway on a winning note, defeating the SA Under 20s by 23 points in Saturday’s annual SANFL Talent Clash. Leading at every break, the more junior outfit was only outscored in term four – by a single point – before saluting at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

The Croweaters were without the likes of vice-captain Dougie Cochrane (knee) and Gabriel Patterson (shoulder), but still rotated a total of 28 players throughout the match. They will suit up again next week for another annual tradition, taking on the combined Giants and Swans academies on home turf.

We took note of the Under 18s’ top prospects and performers.

SA U18 3.3 | 7.5 | 9.11 | 13.13 (91)
SA U20 1.0 | 4.1 | 6.5 | 10.8 (68)

GOALS:
SA U18: L. Pitt 3, J. Slattery 3, L. Andriani, C. Bradford, K. Edwards, E. Herbert, K. Ivins, B. Karpany, J. McNicol
SA U20: L. Candy 2, S. Waltham 2, R. Borlace, C. Dickeson, P. Hargrave, R. Lane-Ellis, H. Payze, B. Sanders

BEST:
SA U18: M. Harris, C. Florance, J. Leys, J. Eime, L. Pitt, E. Herbert
SA U20: J. Kelly, S. Waltham, R. Lane-Ellis, J. Noack, J. Cook, L. Candy

MVPs:
SA U18: Mitch Harris (Woodville-West Torrens)
SA U20: Jim Kelly (Norwood)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA U18:

#4 Jacob McNicol (Glenelg)
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 28/06/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

McNicol ran riot throughout the day, racking up 19 uncontested possessions and consistently putting speed on the ball. He thrived as the second receiver at stoppage, streaming past teammates to collect on the move and drive his legs forward. The in-form Glenelg prospect is usually a pinpoint kick on his favoured left side, although fell a little short with some passes at full tilt or under pressure. Still, his ability to accumulate was impressive, as was his evasive technique. McNicol had a few shots on goal and slotted his only major via a set shot in the final quarter.

#6 Jake Eime (Central District)
Defender | 183cm | 29/07/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Another player full of run and energy, Eime was the main catalyst for South Australia’s ball movement out of defence. The Central District speedster often positioned well at the fall of the ball to either mop it up or receive in space, taking each opportunity to accelerate away. With that counterattacking method, Eime not only cleared his lines quickly but also got involved in chains of possession high up the ground. He went by foot 19 times and relied heavily on his right side, even if squeezed by pressure. Another feature of Eime’s game was his willingness to compete overhead, showing good spring and reeling in a gutsy intercept mark in front of a pack in term one.

#11 Jack Leys (Woodville-West Torrens)
Wing | 183cm | 11/05/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks, 9 tackles

Leys carried on his strong form with an ideal wingman’s performance. The Richmond father-son prospect tracked deep into defence and was a constant threat between the arcs, repeatedly driving his legs before looking for teammates. Leys rode contact well but was often able to escape congestion untouched, credit to his clean handling and sharp turn of foot. He also got the job done in a contested sense, showing hardness to tackle and strip the ball from his opponents.

#14 Cain Florance (South Adelaide)
Small Forward | 177cm | 13/03/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s

The recently crowned state vice-captain was his side’s most frequent and dangerous connection piece heading inside 50. Florance would often work up the corridor or across half-forward, turning back towards goal and utilising his foot skills to keep the attacking chain flowing. He was keen to move things quickly and while effective on the outside, had enough nous to navigate tight traffic. Florance’s clean hands, shrewd decision making and agility were all on show in such instances, particularly as he ventured up to provide support around the centre stoppages.

#15 Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 184cm | 25/07/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 9 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 goal

Prominent as always in midfield, no one prised more centre clearances than Edwards’ four. The state captain roved cleanly and was prepared to scrap for possession at ground level, even if that meant locking up opponents who beat him to the punch. Edwards also showed an ability to spread and find uncontested possessions around the ground, where his punchy foot skills began to take over. He opened the day’s scoring from a forward 50 stoppage free kick with only two minutes on the clock.

#28 Kale Matthews-Hampton (Sturt)
Defender | 188cm | 19/05/2008

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

The stats don’t necessarily do justice to Matthews-Hampton’s impact, as he looked increasingly dangerous across half-back. He provided aggressive overlap run as usual, while becoming an option as South Australia looked to shift the ball out of defensive 50. That kind of play made him a threat in transition, taking possession in spots where he could drive his legs and launch by foot. He showed good composure to pick out his passes and did just enough aerially to split one-on-one contests. That defensive desperation also translated to crucial smothers and keen pressure acts.

#34 Jack Slattery (Woodville-West Torrens)
Tall Forward | 192cm | 27/09/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals

One of two over-age talls in the squad, Slattery produced six scoring shots for an equal game-high three majors. The Eagles prospect converted over the mark and in open play, looking most lively when able to move and leap into the aerial ball. Slattery’s quick reactions and ability to get involved in open play saw him rack up the opportunities – not just as a mobile marking target.

#38 Mitchell Harris (Woodville-West Torrens)
Key Defender | 196cm | 01/07/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles

Harris was named best afield for the Croweaters, standing above the rest with his aerial prowess. The marking maestro was unstoppable when allowed to set and leap at the ball, attacking it like a forward at times to intercept prolifically. Harris’ bucket-like hands meant he never fumbled at full extension overhead, even when competing one-on-two. His competitive streak was evidenced by the bravery to fly at the ball, along with strong tackle efforts to compliment his aerial game.

#39 Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
Ruck/Key Forward | 201cm | 01/11/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 22 hitouts, 8 clearances, 1 goal

Made to start up forward among SA’s slew of tall targets, Herbert was inevitable once he eventually rolled through the ruck. He racked up eight clearances, helping himself by grabbing the ball and either dishing off or throwing it on his boot. Herbert just as easily accessed the hitouts with his mix of craft and agility. He then doubled as a marking option down the line and showed incredible mobility in open play, keeping his hands free and comfortably negotiating traffic. A star.

#41 Jobe Janeway (Glenelg)
Ruck | 206cm | 04/01/2008

Stats: 7 disposals, 4 tackles, 10 hitouts

Assuming the starting ruck role, Janeway used his size to advantage and showed glimpses of his upside throughout the day. He clunked a terrific one-on-two mark down the line in the second term and was otherwise ridiculously clean below his knees, hardly ever fumbling on the move. From there, Janeway capable dished the ball out and even dropped back to defence to help ice the game.

#43 Lincoln Pitt (West Adelaide)
Key Forward | 200cm | 19/12/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals

South Australia’s second over-age tall, Pitt has proven himself in every key position post this season. He was utilised as a forward on Saturday, reeling in three contested marks and booting as many goals. The West Adelaide prospect was prominent in the first half, clunking everything that came his way and using his strong frame to win one-on-one duels. Not only did he score from conventional set shots, but was also capable of getting snap shots on target.

Absent: Dougie Cochrane (knee), Jack Nelson (calf), Gabriel Patterson (shoulder), Archie Van Dyk (back)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA U20:

Norwood’s Jim Kelly was named best afield for the more senior outfit, collecting 20 disposals and eight marks. Tall swingman Sam Waltham was prominent at either end of the ground, clunking many of his 10 marks down back before swinging forward and booting two goals. Noah Daw was also solid down back, collecting 10 marks among his 25 touches.

Industrious Eagle Jack Cook (25 disposals, seven marks) was busy as usual, while Tim Alver provided a blend of grunt and run with his 22 touches and six clearances. Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (18 disposals, nine marks) was another key contributor with his sharp foot skills in the back half, while Sam Ainsworth (20 disposals) battled hard in the ruck.