AFL Draft Central South Australian correspondent David Chapman cast his eyes over the top young prospects in South Australia. With the end of school footy, and SANFL Finals commencing, a number of draft propsects have now finished their footy season. We look at the first round of finals and we look at the top performances across the weekend.

Reserves:

West Adelaide defeated Central District by 31 points in an elimination final. The Centrals players in general were not prolific possession winners, smashed 363 to 239. For Centrals, bottom-ager Jackson Hately had 13 disposals and six tackles, supported by Ryan Falkenberg (seven disposals) and Cooper Dahms (nine disposals and six tackles).

The other final saw Sturt defeat North Adelaide by 52 points. Jordan Houlahan kicked four goals from his 16 disposals, including seven marks around the ground. Mitch Crowden was not as prolific as the last few weeks with his 14 disposals but was part of a dominant midfield and laid six tackles – and showed real courage in the last quarter by running back into a pack to be flattened by a teammate. For the Roosters, bottom-ager Boyd Woodcock was among the best with his 23 disposals including eight marks and six tackles and worked hard around the ground. Bryce Denham and Frankie Szekely both played up forward and had a few possessions each with Denham coming out of one of the breaks with some strapping around the knee.

U18s:

Sturt defeated West Adelaide 110-70 in an elimination final. For Sturt, Hamish Fielke was judged best with 21 disposals and seven marks. Ed Allan again showed his strong ball winning ability and finished the game with 33 disposals (17 contested), six clearances and a goal. Bottom-ager Tom Lewis had 29 disposals, 12 tackles and seven clearances.

For Westies, Will Gutsche was one of their best with 14 disposals. Myles Crump booted four goals, while possible 2018 no.1 draft pick Izak Rankine had 21 disposals, eight marks (three contested), six inside 50s and a goal. Josh Smithson was also solid with 21 disposals, seven marks and six inside 50s.

Woodville-West Torrens defeated minor premiers South Adelaide by three points, in a nail-biter to go into the Grand Final. Jimmy Rowe was the best for the Eagles – collecting 30 disposals, nine clearances, seven inside 50s and two goals. Isaac Moller was also good up forward with four goals. Ruckman Sam Michael was also in the bests with 19 hitouts.

Bottom-ager Hayden Sampson (son of Crow Clay) was best for South with 22 disposals, seven clearances and two goals. Liam Fitt kicked three goals, to go with his 18 disposals – while another bottom-ager Tom Sparrow was in the bests with 16 disposals, seven marks and four rebound 50s.

School Footy:

The College Footy best and fairest, the Gosse Medal, was held on Monday 4 September and the winner of the 2017 Medal was Cole Gerloff from Prince Alfred College. In the 3,2,1 umpire based voting system, second place was Tom Lewis from St Peters. James Rowe (Sacred Heart) and Sam Davis (Immanuel) both tied in third place.