FEW FORWARDS, if any, can lay claim to a better opening two rounds in the AAMI Talent League than Sturt’s Lachie Werts. The speedy goalsneak has kicked four goals in each of the Double Blues’ first two matches, the latest being a win over Woodville-West Torrens on Saturday afternoon.

Werts is a prospect from outside South Australia’s state academy who looks to have taken a significant step in his top-age year. He was a premiership player last year, playing 13 games for five goals. If you’re following along with the maths, he has already surpassed his 2025 tally in two outings.

We put Werts’ performance under the Player Focus microscope.

>> MOTR: AAMI Talent League – Round 2 (West Adelaide vs. Glenelg)

SturtSmall Forward

Lachie Werts

Height: 175cm

Weight: -

DOB: 17-01-2008

STRENGTHS:

+ Evasiveness
+ Finishing
+ Smarts
+ Speed
+ Tackle pressure

IMPROVEMENTS:

– Contested work
– Size

SEASON AVERAGES:

2026 AAMI Talent League (2 games):
17.0 disposals | 2.5 marks | 3.0 tackles | 4.5 inside 50s | 4.0 goals (8 total)

2025 SANFL Under 18s (13 games):
10.2 disposals | 2.0 marks | 3.4 tackles | 2.2 inside 50s | 0.4 goals (5 total)

PLAYER FOCUS

2026 AAMI Talent League: Round 2
Sturt 14.13 (97) def. Woodville-West Torrens 7.8 (50)

#8 Lachie Werts (Sturt)
Stats: 18 disposals (12 kicks), 4 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 4 goals

FIRST QUARTER:

It took Sturt near-on 17 minutes to register its opening goal, which just so happened to come off the boot of Werts. What’s more, it was arguably the highlight of the round. After marking all alone in the corridor, Werts set off towards goal with three bounces before cutting inside to snap the ball home.

His movement makes him difficult to defend at the best of times, but the Eagles afforded him far too much leeway to push up the ground or find pockets of space inside 50. Werts took toll, benefitting from his side’s quick ball movement to either be a part of the attacking chain, or get on the end of it.

When the ball was bobbling around in dispute, Werts showed good energy and smarts to provide an outlet around the packs, but was relatively steady in his approach to the contest. Instead, he picked his moments to pounce when the ball came loose, or peel off to be an option heading forward.

SECOND QUARTER:

Woodville-West Torrens had the better of the opening half and established leads at the first two breaks. Werts ensured it would remain in single-digits with two more goals during the second term, both being clinical finishes in open play.

Once again, his anticipation and smarts were on show as he snuck over the back on a fast break, collecting the ball and using his dancing feet to keep an opponent at bay. When he had space to shoot, he snapped the ball through with class.

Werts’ third major of the afternoon was similarly classy, first making the effort to tackle and cause a spill before sagging off to receive the handball and curling home another from 45 out. His eye for goal and opportunism made for Sturt’s only two goals of the quarter.

He punished the Eagles any time he was given the opportunity, but also refused to be tackled when stuck in tight spots. His evasiveness meant he could manufacture a way out of trouble on most occasions, though he was not exempt from being caught in possession on occasion.

THIRD QUARTER:

Werts’ opportunism again got him in the action, this time both offensively and defensively. First, he prevented the Eagles from breaking out of a defensive 50 stoppage by hunting down the ball carrier, knowing it was his turn to go and closing down in a flash.

He then pounced to bag a fourth goal after the Eagles effectively gifted him the ball, inciting a one-two passage before curling a snap around his body. Such burst play proved highly effective throughout the day, including in Sturt’s run of 10-straight goals.

Out of possession, Werts seemed to preserve energy at times but would then come to life when opportunity arose. His instincts proved to be sharp and often led to scoring passages, mostly for the man himself. At this point, Sturt well and truly had the run of the game.

FOURTH QUARTER:

It was a relatively quiet end to proceedings from Werts, who again benefitted from the Eagles’ loose checking and Sturt’s fast transitions. He seemed to be cramping after an early set shot to the hot spot, but continued to use leading channels up to the wing, allowing Sturt to maintain possession and ice the game. At times, the Double Blues’ ability to move the ball resembled a training drill.