WITH the opening round of the South Australian Football League (SANFL) starting, we review the performances of the potential draft prospects for 2018.

League:

Central Districts tall mid Jackson Hately turned in a great debut for the League team with 22 disposals, including six inside 50s and one goal in his teams’ 61-point victory over North Adelaide. AFL Academy member, Hately was composed and looked completely at home exerting his influence around the ground, particularly up forward. Key forward Hugo Munn played in Sturt’s 12-point win over Norwood and impacted with inside 50s and forward pressure tackles. Top prospect Jack Lukosius was again dominant up forward for the Eagles, taking six marks booting three goals, as well as giving off another two. Izak Rankine from Westies did not play due to suspension from the last trial game.

Reserves:

In Sturt’s four point win over Norwood, strongly built mid Tom Lewis had 16 possessions, 11 of which were contested, along with six tackles. Smooth mover Mihail Lochowiak ended up with 11 possessions. For North Adelaide, Frankie Szekely impacted the game with some speed and a four-bounce run through the midfield to obtain 12 possessions including four inside 50’s and two rebound 50’s on top of a nice goal in his teams four point victory over Centrals. Centrals’ Jez McLennan had 15 possessions including four tackles to show some real poise across half-back. Glenelg defeated South Adelaide by 35 points with 2017 National combine attendee Alex Martini collecting 23 disposals working both ways through the midfield as well as eight tackles. Souths’ Nathan Kreuger, also a Combine invitee in 2017, had 12 possessions and kicked two goals.

U18s:

The Eagles demolished Westies by 77 points, with Kai Pudney racking up 35 disposals, 11 marks and eight inside/rebound 50s. Elusive underager Kysaiah Picket had 29 possessions to be in the bests as well. For West, ruckman Angus Rana was best with 27 hit outs and four inside 50’s. South defeated Glenelg by 22 points with Tate Coleman best with 28 possessions, eight marks and a goal. Bottom-ager Daniel Sladojevic clunked nine marks and kicked six goals. For Glenelg underager Will Gould was best with 22 disposals including seven marks and an incredible 12 rebound 50s playing in the back half and South Australian Academy member Finn Betterman was strong and effective all game.

Centrals defeated North by 10 points led by mid Aaron Nietschke with 38 disposals (20 of which were contested), six tackles and nine clearances. Underager Jordan O’Brien was also in the bests with 22 disposals and nine clearances, and was good on both sides. For the Roosters, Boyd Woodcock had 30 disposals, six clearances and six inside/rebound 50s to be his side’s best. Underage ruck/forward Dyson Hilder was also effective with 16 hitouts, 11 possessions and one goal. Norwood defeated last years premiers Sturt by 46 points with AFL Academy member Luke Valente dominant with 39 possessions including eight marks, 11 clearances and five inside 50s to go with his one goal. Hard running Kade Chandler was also good with 25 disposals, 10 marks, eight clearances and a goal. Sturt’s Hamish Wallace was named his teams best leading with seven tackles.