{"id":212102,"date":"2026-04-13T21:50:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T11:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=212102"},"modified":"2026-04-13T21:50:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T11:50:29","slug":"scouting-notes-2026-sanfl-u16-showcase-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/04\/13\/scouting-notes-2026-sanfl-u16-showcase-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Scouting Notes 2026 SANFL U16 Showcase Game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ADELAIDE has claimed a dramatic golden point win over Port Adelaide in Friday night’s SANFL Under 16 Showcase Game at Woodville Oval. Crows forward Nate McCleary<\/strong> first levelled the scores with a last minute behind, before his wide set shot after regulation time finally brought about the full time siren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Port Adelaide held ascendancy at the first two breaks, and despite intermittent heavy rain throughout the second half, were made to battle through several lead changes. Fergus Vogt<\/strong>‘s goal put the power ahead with around three minutes left to play, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the plucky Crows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We took note of the best prospect and performers from either side.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADELAIDE 2.3 | 6.4 | 8.7 | 10.13 (73)<\/strong>
PORT ADELAIDE 4.1 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 11.6 (72)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOALS:<\/strong>
Adelaide:<\/strong> R. Lindner 2, L. Treverton 2, J. Westley 2, N. McCleary, M. McGowan, D. Miller, J. Munday
Port Adelaide:<\/strong> K. Saracino 4, Z. Thomson 2, F. Vogt 2, H. Brown, S. DePalma, M. Papps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RMC BEST:<\/strong>
Adelaide:<\/strong> J. Westley, Z. Rooney, R. Lindner, W. Pike, L. Treverton, C. Jolly
Port Adelaide:<\/strong> K. Saracino, T. Schultz, Z. Thomson, L. Bell, L. Gill, D. Wanganeen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADELAIDE:<\/strong> Central District, Glenelg, North Adelaide, Sturt
PORT ADELAIDE:<\/strong> Norwood, South Adelaide, West Adelaide, Woodville-West Torrens<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
    • Crows Academies<\/h5><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
      • Port Adelaide NGA<\/h5><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

        ADELAIDE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #7 Zane Rooney (Glenelg)<\/strong>
        Defender\/Midfielder | 186cm | 01\/07\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>24 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A player who was in the South Australian Under 16 squad last year, Rooney possesses genuine power and physical gifts. The Glenelg product attacked each contest with vigour, charging at loose balls and taking would-be tacklers with him. His bursting runs and ability to break open the packs translated well when running on-ball, while Rooney also set up nicely behind the play to intercept. He was a brick wall at times and hit Port Adelaide with pace and intensity on the counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #24 Bodhi Ebert (North Adelaide)<\/strong>
        Defender | 178cm | 21\/02\/2011<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>11 disposals, 3 marks, 4 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The brother of Melbourne AFLW player Laela, Ebert carries a famous footballing name. He clearly does it well, given he featured in this game as a bottom-ager. The North Adelaide prospect produced some strong defensive acts, including his tackle to prevent a shot in term one. On the other end of the scale, he retrieved the ball nicely off errant centre bounce exits and provided a bit of bounce up the ground. Otherwise, Ebert was a reliable kicker off the last line who teammates often looked for him across defensive 50. He even earned some late midfield minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #26 Jacob Westley (Sturt)<\/strong>
        Midfielder\/Defender | 178cm | 25\/02\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>29 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Westley led all comers and had claims on being best afield for the Crows. He was a trusted ball user who seemed to have a knack for finding pockets of space in all parts of the ground. If not contributing to slow kick-mark play, Westley was a common outlet on the overlap and it seemed a no-brainer to get the ball in his hands. His class and polish were evident in tough conditions, no less with consecutive snap goals on the turn during term two. They were carbon copies of each other and highlighted Westley’s ability to impact across all three lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #28 James Foster (Sturt)<\/strong>
        Wing | 180cm | 13\/07\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>11 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Hard to miss with a colour-coordinated helmet and boot combination, Foster bookended his game strongly. He timed his runs well to provide overlap run in the early stages, supporting teammates on the outside and carrying the ball forward. Foster was also important during overtime, where he dropped back and helped blast the ball out of Adelaide’s defensive half. His agility and poise were handy traits, ones which often catch the eye in showcase games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #30 Ryder Lindner (Glenelg)<\/strong>
        Forward\/Midfielder | 187cm | 25\/08\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>22 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Lindner snapped Adelaide’s first goal and ended with two for the match, sinking his second with a set shot before half time. He was a reliable marking target for the Crows, presenting well on the lead and extending to pluck the ball overhead. Lindner got an extended run in midfield after the main break and showed his ground level craft, able to turn onto his favoured left side and blast the ball forward by foot. At 187cm, there is plenty to work with in both roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #34 Will Pike (Sturt)<\/strong>
        Defender\/Wing | 185cm | 25\/08\/2011<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>16 disposals, 4 marks, 5 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Pike is another prospect with that tall and rangy frame capable of playing in multiple positions. He made a major impact out on the wing, charging forward with attacking instincts on the overlap and helping carry the ball inside 50. That kind of play came after forming a wall across the defensive half to start the game, proving a keen interceptor with his strong aerial work and shrewd positioning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #39 Cooper Jolly (North Adelaide)<\/strong>
        Ruck\/Key Forward | 196cm | 16\/08\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>18 disposals, 19 hitouts, 4 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Jolly was the tallest player on the ground at 196cm, which went a long way to comfortably leading the hitout count. Although, he proved much more than just a tap ruckman, also getting involved in open play as Adelaide moved the ball in waves. Jolly’s clean hands and mobility were assets as he followed up to win his own clearances and covered the ground nicely. The North Adelaide tall also spent time forward and showed he could settle in to take marks around the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        PORT ADELAIDE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #3 Samuel De Palma (West Adelaide)<\/strong>
        Midfielder | 170cm | 01\/10\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>19 disposals, 4 clearances, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        De Palma showed what he has to offer straight away, cleanly breaking away from the first centre scramble with a slick turn of speed. He even followed up his own work to nab a second possession which he turned into a goal assist. De Palma’s knack for winning the ground balls and accelerating out of packs were key features of his game, adding polish to the chaos with each possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #4 Damien Wanganeen (Woodville-West Torrens)<\/strong>
        Forward\/Midfielder | 171cm | 23\/08\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>12 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Wanganeen was electric at times, especially during the first half, and showcased some of the best foot skills of anyone afield. The diminutive forward ran intelligent patterns up the field and was Port Adelaide’s most effective connection piece along the wing, providing a sharp avenue into attack. He was just as impactful when the ball hit the deck, hardly fumbling and applying great tackle pressure when necessary. He got a good run in midfield, but was arguably most dangerous as a high forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #6 Liam Bell (South Adelaide)<\/strong>
        Defender\/Midfielder | 172cm | 28\/04\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>19 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A real goer who gave his all throughout the night, Bell provided plenty of run and energy for Port Adelaide. He attacked the ball with tenacity and consistently found ways to surge forward, looking to take on tacklers and applying heavy pressure of his own. While it wasn’t always easy, Bell’s repeat efforts and endless run made him one of Port’s most important players – whether breaking open the midfield battle or overlapping off half-back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #10 Zephyr Thomson (Norwood)<\/strong>
        Forward\/Midfielder | 174cm | 30\/10\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 12 marks, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        As the stats suggest, the large majority of Thomson’s possessions came from marks and he provided a reliable target ahead of the ball. The Norwood product ran strong patterns to half-forward, helping connect the line between midfield and attack. He often gained plenty of separation from his opponent but was clean overhead nonetheless, taking that same polish to his on-ball rotation. Thomson’s two goals came from set shots slotted low and hard into the wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #12 Tyson Schultz (Woodville-West Torrens)<\/strong>
        Defender\/Wing | 174cm | 13\/04\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 2 clearances, 3 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Schultz started the game as Port Adelaide’s designated kicker out of defence, but his dash and dare earned him a switch up to the wing. The Eagles prospect showcased precise and punchy foot skills on the end of his darting runs, finding ways out of trouble before hitting up teammates in space or on the lead. His core strength and ability to fend would-be tacklers made him even more difficult to tie down, often changing gears when the pressure mounted. Definitely one to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #15 Kit Saracino (West Adelaide)<\/strong>
        Forward | 177cm | 26\/05\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 4 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        If Thomson was Port’s main avenue inside 50, then Saracino was the next link in the chain. He booted a game-high four goals, starting with two in the opening term to help put his side on the front foot. The West Adelaide product competed well overhead and attacked the aerial ball hard, while also earning a goal via a holding-the-ball free kick. Those contested efforts ensured he remained a threat in each phase of play, getting reward on the scoreboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #21 Lachlan Gill (South Adelaide)<\/strong>
        Midfielder\/Defender | 177cm | 22\/10\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>21 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Along with Schultz, Gill showed off some flashy moves and agile work in tight spots. He racked up the most disposals of any Port Adelaide player and looked to make something happen with each touch, refusing to be corralled. Gill’s darting steps and ability to slip tackles caught the eye, including with a nice blind turn in the third quarter to make use of his ground level nous. Few others proved as hard to tackle throughout the night, even as the rain poured down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #22 Fergus Vogt (South Adelaide)<\/strong>
        Forward | 182cm | 25\/01\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Vogt’s size and presence were assets for Port Adelaide inside attacking 50, where he very nearly became his side’s hero. The South Adelaide forward slotted a late goal for the lead after flying from the back to take a strong pack mark, marking a key moment in the match. He also worked up the ground and presented as a connection piece in the front half, leading with authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        #36 Bailey James (South Adelaide)<\/strong>
        Defender\/Midfielder | 187cm | 18\/03\/2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Stats: <\/strong>10 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        James’ numbers don’t jump off the page but he hardly put a foot wrong with his 10 touches. He started out with a strong intercept mark going back with the flight and was a terrific sweeper at stoppage, proving clean and composed in traffic. James’ efficient use of the ball was aided by such poise, allowing him to find the space or simply dish off with minimal fuss under pressure.<\/p>\n

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        Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>