GLENELG has flexed its scoring muscle in the second half to remain fixed in the AAMI Talent League top four with a win over South Adelaide in Round 15. The Bays kicked away with six goals to two in the third term at Stratarama Stadium and always seemed to have an answer for the Panthers in the 23-point win.

An array of state stars featured across both stars, headlined by five goals to talented forward Gabriel Patterson and a dominant midfield performance from returning Panther Archie Van Dyk. They are among the several prospects we have highlighted in the latest Scouting Notes edition out of South Australia.

GLENELG 2.2 | 5.4 | 11.5 | 14.9 (93)
SOUTH ADELADE 1.3 | 6.3 | 8.3 | 11.4 (70)

GOALS:
Glenelg: G. Patterson 5, J. Jarrad 3, J. McNicol 2, M. Atkin, J. Hele, C. Ramm, I. Thomson
South Adelaide: C. Florance 3, K. Shortridge 3, C. Knowles 2, B. Dittmar, C. Hyland, A. Van Dyk

BEST:
Glenelg: H. Franz, J. McNicol, G. Patterson, H. Croker, J. Hele, J. Jarrad
South Adelaide: A. Van Dyk, C. Florance, K. Shortridge, H. Boal, J. Blacker, J. Potter

GLENELG:

#2 Gabriel Patterson
Forward/Midfielder | 184cm | 26/03/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 marks (3 contested), 5 goals

Kicking goals in each quarter to end up with a bag of five, Patterson provided a threat deep inside 50. His pace off the mark and spring-heeled leap saw him get active on the lead and become dangerous out the back, showing natural forward craft in every phase of play. Whether marking or latching onto the loose ball, Patterson’s movement was difficult to contain and he put pressure back on the opposition. Perhaps the greatest snapshot of his talent was a passage in the final term where he spectacularly flew for a mark before slotting a miraculous checkside goal from the pocket. He also got a run in midfield but was at his most impactful closer to goal.

#3 Ben Copping
Forward/Midfielder | 181cm | 03/02/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 6 inside 50s

It was a typical kind of game from Copping, who showed similar form to that which helped him earn state selection. The tough and hard-working forward ran great patterns up the ground to provide connectivity as a leading target, showing a clean set of hands overhead. He then used his speed to punish South Adelaide on the way back to goal, running in waves and looking to hit targets heading inside 50. Copping’s rugged tackle pressure and grit complimented his flashier moments nicely.

#5 Jacob McNicol
Midfielder/Forward | 178cm | 28/06/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 goals

Fresh off a strong state campaign, McNicol played in his usually balanced fashion. The left-footed midfielder covered enormous ground and used his pace when latching onto handball receives, taking ground wherever possible. He was also prepared to win his own ball and showed plenty of hardness to bury opponents in tackles. As he always does, McNicol hit the scoreboard with two goals, becoming a threat deep inside 50 and with his ability to accelerate forward from the centre.

#11 Harvey Croker
Wing | 184cm | 15/08/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles

Playing a classic wingman’s game, Croker provided ample width as a keen receiver on the edge of packs. He was often in the ideal position to get the hand-off, turn onto his favoured left side and look to deliver the ball forward by foot. Croker’s clean hands and slick passing were indicative of his class, while he showed an ability to stand tall under tackle pressure and get a poised handball away.

#29 Harry Franz
Tall Defender | 193cm | 27/11/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Franz was utterly enormous across Glenelg’s defensive half, having an impact both high and deep. His playreading ability was top notch, able to peel off and impact third up or settle in down the line. Either way, he racked up intercept possessions. Franz was willing to crash packs and lay important tackles to prevent scores, but also showed great poise and skill with ball in hand. While he invited pressure at times, the mobile tall took ground where possible and combined well with teammates to work a way out of tight spots. It was a genuine all-round performance.

Others:

Jimmy Hele once again impressed with his compact frame and quick hands in midfield, amassing 10 clearances to go with 24 disposals and a goal. Wingman Jack Rutten was also instrumental on the outside with 17 touches. Meanwhile, Glenelg’s talls had their say. Starting ruck Connor Ramm (12 disposals, 24 hitouts, one goal) competed well in the air, Ian Thomson (14 disposals, 15 hitouts) showed his mobility, and Josh Jarrad (five marks, 3.2) was a focal point inside 50.

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#4 Kody Shortridge
Small Forward | 180cm | 11/04/2008

Stats: 15 disposals (14 kicks), 5 marks, 3 goals

When his side needed a spark in the second term, it was Shortridge who stepped up to the plate. He showed great instincts to snap two goals in that time, swooping onto the loose ball inside 50 and wheeling around to finish truly. Shortridge wasn’t just a threat close to goal, he also worked hard up the ground as a link player and stood out with a particular triple effort in the opening term; competing in the air, with a smother, and then tackle on the wing. He ended up with a third major during the final quarter, once again finishing with a classy snap.

#7 Archie Van Dyk
Midfielder | 190cm | 28/07/2008

Stats: 36 disposals, 8 tackles, 15 clearances, 1 goal

You’d be mistaken for thinking the centre ball-ups consisted solely of both rucks and Van Dyk, such was his dominance in that domain. Returning after a solid performance at state level, the prolific midfielder punished Glenelg for any loose checking at stoppage and won the ball at will. His handling and distribution were nothing short of elite, never fumbling under pressure and showing great vision to deliberately find targets out of traffic. On the flip side, Van Dyk also tended to hack the ball out by foot and can continue to refine his ability to do damage that way. Still, he managed to slot a goal while resting forward in the third term and set one up in the last. His pure size and craft made him difficult to handle all day.

#9 Cain Florance
Midfielder | 176cm | 13/03/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles, 3 goals

Another busy Panthers midfielder, Florance was classy and creative throughout four quarters. Even under pressure, he backed himself to make incisive passes and while that came with risks, it also meant he could hurt Glenelg through the corridor. Florance was prepared to get stuck in on the defensive end and definitely punched above his weight in the way of overhead marking. He gave his side the lead just before half time and added two more goals thereafter, finishing well over the mark.

#13 Hudson Boal
Midfielder | 177cm | 16/10/2009

Stats: 22 disposals, 8 tackles, 6 clearances

Tending to do his best work in tight spaces, Boal is relatively lightly built but holds his own at the contest. He showed great agility and poise under pressure while ridding Glenelg’s midfielders of time with his pressure around the ball. That included a terrific rundown tackle on McNicol in the second term. The bottom-ager was clean and efficient by hand, although can perhaps become a little more damaging by foot as he continues to develop into 2027.

Others:

Skipper Jackson Blacker was a strong presence behind the ball, notching 16 disposals, seven marks and seven rebound 50s as he dealt with Glenelg’s tall targets down back. Jayce Potter (25 disposals, five inside 50s, seven rebound 50s) provided plenty of impetus with his run, while Sam Walsh had his flashy moments on the wing. Cooper Knowles also chimed in with two majors.