THE NEWLY renamed AAMI Talent League got underway on Wednesday night with a double-header at Coopers Stadium. Reigning premier Sturt powered away from Central District to win by 63 points in the season-opener, before North Adelaide did the same to Norwood in a 30-point victory at The Parade.

We took note of the best prospects and performers from both games.

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#18 Jake Eime
Defender | 182cm | 29/07/2008

Stats: 30 disposals (25 kicks), 5 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

Eime ran the Bulldogs’ offence from half-back, starting from the kick-ins and often ending up in the forward half. He racked up a game-high 30 disposals and often looked to go by foot, driving the ball into dangerous spots. While erratic at times, Eime was creative through his running and lowered his eyes when afforded time and space. His first moment of the game was his best, recovering a one-on-one contest at half forward before sliding an inboard kick to assist Jai Thomas’ opening goal.

#29 Jack Gordon
Midfielder | 185cm | 05/01/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 clearances

The Central District skipper was solid all day, directing traffic through midfield as a quality in-and-under ball winner. He took some time to get his handling up to speed but then began to drive his legs and step to the outside when all the pieces came together. Gordon’s intent to carry the ball forward and gave his forwards good looks as he used his reliable kicking to give them ample marking opportunities. One of his best moments was a burst from the centre square in term four, linking up with the ruck before heading towards goal.

#30 Charlie Moss
Forward | 183cm | 02/05/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals

Moss popped up with a few exciting passages, despite his numbers not jumping off the page. He got the crowd up and about with his third quarter goal, running straight through a forward 50 stoppage to shark the ball and finish with a classy checkside on the move. The top-ager also slammed home a set shot in the second term and showcased some of his aerial acumen with a couple of lovely plucks presenting up the ground. That ability to clear out the forward 50 and act as a connection piece between the arcs makes him a key role player.

Others:

The Bulldogs were served well by their talls. It all started with Callan Semmler in the ruck, whose bodywork and raw strength were key to winning 28 hitouts. Jack Ryan chopped out for him while fulfilling his duties up forward with five marks and 1.3, competing well in the air. Speaking of, bottom-age tall Brayden Whimpress had some highs with two of his three marks being contested. Midfielders Tony Marrone (23 disposals) and Joel Kotsano (17) were also solid in defeat.

STURT:

#8 Lachie Werts
Small Forward | 175cm | 17/01/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 goals

Werts was an absolute livewire in Sturt’s forward half, lighting up the contest with four quality goals and plenty of tricks in between. The top-ager put his agility on show early as he evaded two opponents deep in the pocket before snapping the ball through for his first major. He broke out the back with multiple running bounces on several occasions, trusting his pace to create scoring opportunities. Werts also got stuck in defensively with some terrific tackles, including a huge rundown effort on Central District speedster Jake Eime. He did it all and was duly rewarded.

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 clearances, 2 goals

Often matching up on opposition captain Jack Gordon, Nelson held his own with composed work at the coalface. At 186cm, he used his size to advantage when extracting stoppage possessions and proved a calm head in the cut and thrust of the contest. Nelson’s assured handling and slick distributive work was credit to his ability to stay upright and remain poised. The smooth mover also got to work while spreading forward, booting two goals within 10 minutes of gametime.

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 3 inside 50s

In his usual role across half-back, Matthews-Hampton took an aggressive approach to intercepting and rebounding. He would often hit hard off the square and peel away from opponents to impact the play, making good reads in those instances. The basketball convert has worked on his kicking and composure, but tended to rush a little as a product of his intention to play direct. Still, he wanted the ball in his hands as much as possible and looked to be Sturt’s main driving force from the back.

#48 Harvey Chapman
Key Defender | 195cm | 10/08/2009

Stats: 18 disposals (16 kicks), 3 marks, 10 rebound 50s

If Matthews-Hampton was Sturt’s main transitional weapon further up the ground, then Chapman was the go-to deeper in defence. The bottom-ager was assigned kick-in duties and often looked to go long on his favoured left boot, comfortably clearing the defensive 50 arc. Out of possession, he looked best when able to fly third up in contests but ended up clunking a couple of strong intercepts to relieve pressure in the final term and keep the Double Blues on top.

Others:

Sturt skipper Angus Mills was his busy self in midfield, racking up 21 disposals, four clearances and a goal in the win. The likes of Mitchell Brook, Will Ekberg, and Nick Ricciuto (all 17 disposals) were also solid as part of the on-ball rotation. On the outside, bottom-age star Taj Garrett exhibited his speed and smarts to drive up and down the line. Tom Lindsay also showed a bit on the wing and up forward, providing a marking option with six in total. Speaking of, Ivan Wilkinson was difficult to stop in one-on-one situations and bagged 4.3 from his nine disposals (five marks).

CENTRAL DISTRICT 3.2 | 4.7 | 5.10 | 5.12 (42)
STURT 4.3 | 6.5 | 9.11 | 15.15 (105)

GOALS:
Central District: C. Moss 2, J. Ryan, J. Thomas, B. Whimpress
Sturt: L. Werts 4, I. Wilkinson 4, J. Nelson 2, B. Beaven, R. Davies, O. Dixon, T. Lindsay, A. Mills

RMC BEST:
Central District: J. Gordon, J. Eime, T. Marrone, J. Ryan, C. Semmler
Sturt: L. Werts, J. Nelson, A. Mills, I. Wilkinson, H. Chapman

NORWOOD:

#5 Charlie Best
Midfielder/Defender | 181cm | 23/02/2009

Stats: 24 disposals, 8 tackles, 8 clearances

Best topped Norwood’s disposal charts, but his work without possession was arguably more pleasing from a development perspective. The classy left-footer got his hands dirty with eight tackles, including several wrap-up and holding the ball efforts to provide two-way impact. Despite still being bottom-aged, he gave instructions at stoppage and was instrumental there with eight clearances, while also being a handy option when the ball broke to the outside. The balancing out of his profile looks to be coming along nicely in that sense, as he had no trouble finding his own ball.

#7 Kai Ivins
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 14/09/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Ivins provides plenty of excitement in full flight and looked to use his pace to advantage all night. He generated run by providing an overlap option or bursting away from congestion, sometimes finding his way into trouble when bringing the game to North Adelaide. While his disposal and handling were scrappy at times, Ivins proved how damaging he could be going forward with a few sharp inside 50 kicks and a second quarter goal. He cramped in the final term but showed good focus and intent to catch Zackariah Young holding the ball late in the third.

#12 Will Tanner
Midfielder | 176cm | 15/07/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 tackles, 9 inside 50s

Tanner is a real goer and imposed himself on the midfield battle despite his lighter frame. He brought great energy to the contest, putting his body on the line and operating at full tilt from go to woah. His all-action style became infectious and that translated to the Redlegs’ dangerous waves of forward handballs. Tanner’s turn of speed and slippery nature was typical of a player his size, allowing him to break out of tight spots and amass his team-high nine inside 50s. He rounded out his performance with strong defensive efforts and a bunch of heavy tackles.

#16 George Serocki
Defender/Midfielder | 180cm | 18/02/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Another of Norwood’s promising bottom-agers, Serocki was Best’s accomplice through midfield and off half-back. He arguably looked most effective in the latter role, helping direct play up the field with aggressive positioning and calm ball use. The lefty made great reads to intercept up the ground, and equally took his opportunities to run hard when it meant he could link up with another possession. An accumulator on the night, Serocki’s work was integral to his side’s ball movement out of the back with a high of six rebound 50s – shared with Best.

Others:

Norwood’s core four – noted above – were central to the side’s fortunes, although there were plenty more steady contributors. Joseph Nak kicked 2.5 from 10 disposals and five marks (three contested), proving to be a reliable target inside 50. Oliver Wilkins was another key avenue to goal, booting two, and showing good ability overhead. Elsewhere, Harvey Pearce and Tom Waught had their moments in midfield, as did Tom Neal with a bit of dash from defence. Wingman Eddie Sorensen was another who brought impetus to the Redlegs’ play.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

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

Stats: 28 disposals, 7 marks, 7 clearances, 16 hitouts

Herbert was arguably the best player afield on Wednesday night and truly did it all. He showcased an well-rounded skillset; applying great bodywork and craft against a 208cm ruck opponent, spreading well to get involved in chains of possession, and lifting his marking output around the ground. Herbert’s clean handling, matched with his deceptive agility and poise, made him an asset as North moved the ball forward by hand. He knew when to draw his opponent and kept his arms free while navigating traffic. His best moment saw him gather at half-forward before accelerating away from an opponent and hitting his kick inside 50. Top marks.

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

Stats: 9 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 4 goals

There wasn’t much between the two sides up to half time but Simpson’s moments of magic helped Norwood gain the ascendancy. He lit up The Parade with three second-term goals, including two utterly ridiculous showings of raw pace. The first saw him take on his opposite number 13 twice in one passage – initially tripped – but recovering to steady and finish on the run. He backed that up by escaping a sea of opponents on the boundary line before snapping the ball home. He caught fire and it was incredible to watch. Simpson capped off his night with the sealing goal, again steadying nicely out the back and celebrating his work. Low-volume, high-impact, massive highlight reel.

#29 Sam Tassone
Defender | 180cm | 12/02/2008

Stats: 27 disposals (22 kicks), 4 marks, 12 rebound 50s

Everything seemed to go through Tassone as North Adelaide looked to move the ball out of defence. He was tasked with the kick-in duties and distributed nicely by foot, doing so with 22 of his 29 disposals. His playmaking style helped the Roosters transition from end-to-end, with plenty of his possessions ending in scoring opportunities. That was particularly evident when Tassone worked up the ground, timing his moves well to drive the ball into attack and finish off with an inviting kick.

Others:

North Adelaide’s midfield was superb, led by skipper Bradley Rogers (26 disposals, 10 inside 50s). Vice-captain Alby Bradshaw (15 disposals, one goal) showed his wares on the outside, while the Blake Amos diminutive teamed up well with Mitchell Crosby to boss the inside. Up forward, pocket rocket Armani-Jacom Scullino provided a noticeable spark while linking his side inside 50. State squad member Zackariah Young finished off with a classy running goal after also contributing some great physicality after half time. He often matched up on Ivins down back.

NORWOOD 3.1 | 6.5 | 7.11 | 8.12 (60)
NORTH ADELAIDE 3.2 | 7.4 | 11.5 | 14.6 (90)

GOALS:
Norwood: J. Nak 2, O. Wilkins 2, O. Easton, K. Ivins, F. Myall, T. Waugh
North Adelaide: A. Simpson 4, M. Wareing 3, F. Blieschke 2, A. Bradshaw, M. Crosby, A. Scullino, Z. Young, A. Zerella

RMC BEST:
Norwood: C. Best, K. Ivins, W. Tanner, G. Serocki, J. Nak
North Adelaide: E. Herbert, A. Simpson, S. Tassone, B. Rogers, A. Bradshaw