THE COMBINED Giants and Swans Academies have raided South Australia with a seven-point win over the Croweaters at Norwood Oval on Saturday morning. Leading at every break, the NSW/ACT contingent held off a late surge from the hosts to salute 11.9 (75) to 9.14 (68) in their annual trial game.

It was an incredibly even team performance from the Rams, who had nine individual goalkickers, although their midfield shone. Consistently able to surge the ball from end-to-end, NSW/ACT caused constant headaches for South Australia and proved more clinical from fewer scoring shots.

We took note of the top prospects and performers from either side.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 0.4 | 2.7 | 5.10 | 9.14 (68)
NSW/ACT ACADEMIES 3.2 | 6.4 | 9.6 | 11.9 (75)

GOALS:
South Australia: A. Long 3, J. Slattery 3, K. Edwards, B. Karpany, J. Leys
NSW/ACT Academies: C. Hardy 2, E. Matthews 2, L. Bechaz, B. Kane, I. Luke, H. Meaney, B. Pignatelli, L. Price, B. Ryan

RMC BEST:
South Australia: E. Herbert, J. Leys, C. Florance, H. Chapman, H. Franz, K. Edwards
NSW/ACT Academies: E. Matthews, C. French, P. Smith, O. Clifton, J. Medved, J. Houston

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#5 Sam Tassone (North Adelaide)
Wing | 180cm | 12/02/2008

Tassone was full of running, operating up on the wing this time out. He looked to take off immediately each time he received possession, adding urgency and flow to South Australia’s ball movement. In particular, he positioned well on the outside of stoppages to get the clearing handball before looking to take ground. Tassone’s agility and poise were useful when navigating through tight spots, while his straight-line speed helped spark dangerous outside chains in transition.

#11 Jack Leys (Woodville-West Torrens)
Wing | 182cm | 11/05/2008

Richmond F/S

Manning the opposite wing to Tassone, Leys was similarly productive between the arcs. He ran his opponents off their feet, consistently finding space to become an outlet option as SA exited defensive 50 or chipped up the line. Leys’ work rate and smarts were complimented by clean fundamental skills, taking strong overhead marks and looking like one of his side’s more polished users. As usual, he drove his legs and showed dare on the way forward, but was also prepared to intercept and tackle on the defensive end. His running goal in the final term was top class.

#14 Cain Florance (South Adelaide)
Forward/Wing | 176cm | 13/03/2008

Florance was once again South Australia’s most dangerous avenue into attacking 50. He worked up the ground and found space through the corridor to quickly turn and look towards goal. The crafty small racked up possessions with relative ease, connecting the lines with his run and foot skills. Florance had opportunities to either go deep inside 50 or score, and spent plenty of time up on the wing after half time. The vice-captain is building nicely ahead of the National Championships.

#15 Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 25/07/2008

Edwards was South Australia’s go-to first possession winner at stoppage, roving the ball incredibly cleanly off taps. He showed nice spurts of agility in traffic and was desperate to flick out useful handballs, never accepting being locked up by tackle pressure. The skipper began to get his kicking game going as time wore on, including with a stoppage goal in the third term and a left-foot bullet to assist Jack Slattery. He’s building up to his absolute best.

#25 Anthony Long (West Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 184cm | 23/03/2008

Adelaide NGA

After a relatively quiet opening half, Long began to show his game-breaking attributes with more permanent residency up forward. While clean and powerful when able to get his hands on the ball in midfield, he looked far more dangerous within range of goal. The Crows-tied prospect came to life with three scoring shots to start term three, converting one and getting busy on the lead. A terrific bit of timing saw him add a second in term four, crumbing the pack and running into an open goal. His third was a set shot, highlighting his ability to create or finish scores from all situations.

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

Slattery was South Australia’s most likely and effective target inside forward 50, booting his side’s only two goals of the first half. He showed great mobility on the lead, gaining separation and extending at the ball overhead, but also proving clean and nimble below his knees. The over-ager was able to hold his ground and split aerial contests, earning most of his opportunities via set shots.

#38 Mitchell Harris (Woodville-West Torrens)
Key Defender | 195cm | 01/07/2008

Fresh off a best on ground performance against the SANFL U20s, Harris was extremely solid down back once again. With buckets for hands, he settled in to clunk several intercept marks but was also willing to fly and crash packs. Harris’ ability to cut off opposition kicks was outstanding in the second half; settling under high balls when lying deep, or venturing up the ground to help form a high line as SA attacked. That’s his main weapon.

#39 Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
Ruck/Key Forward | 199cm | 01/11/2008

Arguably the best player afield, Herbert continues to press his case to be South Australia’s top prospect. The mobile ruck not only leapt high to win taps at the centre ball-ups, but also held his ground and was a prolific clearance winner at stoppages. Outside of the contest, he provided a reliable target for long kicks down the line and looks to have made great strides in his marking game. Herbert’s skills, clean handling and ground coverage were outstanding for a player his size, contributing like a much smaller player would.

NSW/ACT ACADEMIES:

#2 Cooper French (Giants Academy)
Forward/Midfielder | 178cm | 28/03/2009

French was among the most busy and prolific players afield, leaning on his work rate to accumulate both inside and outside of the contest. He started out at as a high forward, venturing up the ground to help his side transition from end-to-end. The bottom-ager also spent plenty of time on-ball and continued to cover an enormous amount of territory, often operating at high speed. That pace was useful when breaking out of stoppages, taking the ball in motion and bursting into attack. His disposal when moving at such speed wavered, but was creative nonetheless.

#5 Ethan Matthews (Giants Academy)
Midfielder | 186cm | 04/09/2008

Co-captain for the day, Matthews continued his strong form through midfield. His crisp roving and handball distribution stood out in the early stages, showing great poise in the cut and thrust of the contest. Matthews then clicked into gear and got dangerous in transition, putting speed on the ball as the Academies streamed forward in waves. He booted two classy goals in open play, the first being an effortless finish from atop the 50m arc. Otherwise, he was involved in plenty of combination play between the arcs and showcased terrific foot skills on his favoured left side.

#6 Henry Meaney (Swans Academy)
Midfielder | 183cm | 23/08/2008

Another of NSW/ACT’s lively midfielders, Meaney was typically polished and poised in the contest. His ability to move from in to out was just about unmatched, first taking the loose ball cleanly before using his smooth lateral movement to get out of trouble. He either turned and exited congestion or dished out to teammates, but was also able to contribute on the outside. Meaney’s work rate and ability to pose a threat up forward saw him slot a set shot goal in the third quarter.

#10 Guy Jenkin (Swans Academy)
Wing/Forward | 177cm | 25/11/2008

Jenkin spent much of the day on a wing and showed his ability to work deep into both the attacking and defensive zones. Having spent plenty of time up forward this year, he had his chances to score and assist but was a little off in his execution this time out. Still, Jenkin was able to make amends with some of his gut running and defensive acts. He laid several tenacious tackles to wrap up opponents or catch them holding-the-ball, adding a layer to his value in transition.

#14 Lucas Roberts (Giants Academy)
Defender/Wing | 186cm | 17/03/2008

Roberts had little trouble finding the footy, providing support off the back of stoppage and using his foot skills incisively. The top-ager held width to receive off NSW/ACT’s keen inside ball winners, setting forward on the overlap and mopping up any spills. His playmaking ability was most effective with time and space on the outside, often choosing to pick out targets by foot.

#16 Patrick Smith (Swans Academy)
Midfielder | 187cm | 07/05/2008

One of NSW/ACT’s midfield mainstays, Smith’s power and drive made him dangerous on the way out of congestion. He was consistently able to stay upright through tackles, and while he sometimes held the ball a fraction too long, was strong enough to withstand pressure. Smith proved a difficult man to bring down and applied himself with crunching tackles, making repeat efforts to recover the contested ball. Upon exiting contests by force, he was able to either lower his eyes or pump the ball long inside 50. He was helped off the ground in term four after an accidental head knock.

#17 Lachlan Price (Swans Academy)
Midfielder | 180cm | 11/08/2008

Captaining the side alongside Matthews, Price worked into the game on the back of his defensive work. He wrapped up opponents in strong tackles and eventually began to generate run as NSW/ACT transitioned from stoppage, even dishing out a couple of fend-offs. Price’s work rate came to the fore as he snuck forward for a set shot goal in term two, which was his best quarter. He was strong over the ball in-tight but also contributed in his side’s wave running on the attack.

#20 Will Morahan (Swans Academy)
Key Defender | 194cm | 17/05/2007

Along with Jim Houston, Morahan cut off plenty of South Australian attacks. The over-ager intercepted the very first long foray into defensive 50, attacking the ball like a forward. He was strong in the air across the last line, but also showed great mobility to peel off and become a marking outlet on rebound kicks. Morahan’s desperate defensive efforts worked to not only win possession, but then look to launch restarts with plenty of intent.

#21 Jake Medved (Swans Academy)
Defender | 191cm | 02/06/2008

Medved is a terrific athlete whose speed and dare held up to the representative level jump. He joined Roberts in latching onto the back of stoppages, providing support on the overlap and taking off with searing pace. His willingness to run and chain possessions posed constant questions of South Australia’s team defence, breaking the lines with aggressive forward carries.

#29 Oscar Clifton (Swans Academy)
Ruck | 199cm | 28/10/2007

Clifton came up against a couple of quality rucks in Herbert and the 206cm Jobe Janeway, but found a way to impact the game. The over-ager thrived with his follow-up work at stoppage, snaffling up the loose ball and either dishing off or dumping it on his boot. Like Herbert, he was solid as a target down the line and showcased clean overhead marking, even dropping back to impact in the defensive half. He looked very comfortable with ball in hand for a taller player.