With the two standout draft prospects in action for Vic Metroon Saturday, Adelaide’s future might be on show at Alberton Oval
Crows fans can catch a glimpse of their possible future with No.1 AFL Draft pick contenders Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson in action against South Australia on Saturday.
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Adelaide fans, it’s time to do something many of you have never done before.
It’s time to make the trip down Port Road and spend your AFL-free weekend at Alberton Oval.
While your club has the weekend off, the future of the Crows could be on show at the home of Port Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
It’s Round 3 of the Under 18 national championships and with a winless Vic Metro travelling across the border to take on South Australia, the two standout draft prospects in the country, Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, are in town.
And, as the season stands now, as a result of the heavily-critiqued trade with Carlton last year which saw the clubs swap 2019 first round selections, Adelaide has the No. 1 pick in November’s draft.
After an impressive body of work over the past 18 months, including a terrific start to 2019, the best mates from Victoria seem to be well ahead of the rest of the pack, which includes Croweaters Dylan Stephens, Will Gould and Cameron Taheny, at this point.
There’s also a suggestion Rowell, who was best-on-ground for the Australian Under-18 Academy team which defeated VFL side Casey in April, and Anderson might be even better prospects than Rising Star favourite and last year’s No. 1 pick Sam Walsh.
Rowell, a 180cm midfielder in the mould of Lachie Neale and Joel Selwood, is averaging 28 disposals, 10 tackles, seven clearances and 159 Champion Data ranking points per game in the NAB league – the new name for the TAC Cup - this year.
While he described him as an “inside bull” and “a mad competitor”, Vic Metro coach Brett Allison says it’s the work ethic of the Oakleigh Chargers’ product that’s stood out.
“His workrate is the area of his game that really impresses me the most,” Allison said on the AFL’s Road to the Draft podcast.
“For an 18-year-old kid, the amount of ground he covers, whether we have the ball or don’t have the ball - he’s got that natural defensive-transition side to his game already.”
“It’s probably the thing you have to teach young players the most when they arrive at clubs after being drafted.”
Rowell, who was named best-on-ground in the 2018 TAC Cup grand final, as well the Under 17 All-Stars match at the MCG a week later, followed-up his 24-disposal performance in the first game of this year’s Under 18 championships with 28 disposals and 146 ranking points in the second-round loss to Vic Country.
His teammate is a midfielder of a different kind.
The 190cm, 83kg Anderson is a strong-bodied force at stoppages but it’s his ability around goal which has drawn comparison to Collingwood matchwinner Jordan de Goey.
The Vic Metro captain - and son of premiership Hawk Dean – has booted eight goals in three NAB League appearances this season and is averaging 32 disposals, 15 contested possessions, eight score involvements, six clearances and a huge 185 ranking points per game.
Anderson tallied 25 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances in the first game of the Under 18 carnival but copped a second-half knock in the Round 2 loss to Western Australia.
With Collingwood star Brodie Grundy watching brother Riley in action the Magpies, some would argue Adelaide’s future could’ve been on show at Alberton last week.
NAB LEAGUE AVERAGES 2019
If Adelaide did pursue the SA-born big man at the end of 2019, there’s no doubt it would cost them the potential No. 1 pick - and then some.
But as former Power captain Warren Tredrea declared earlier in June, Adelaide cannot overlook the young talent – and next generation of Crows stars – at the end of the year.
“The Crows must ask themselves would Rowell and the other talented kids be better for the club than acquiring the high-priced Grundy?” Tredrea asked in his exclusive column in The Advertiser.
“As hard as it is to ignore the lure of the best ruckman in the game in Grundy, Adelaide must back themselves in to secure and develop the next crop of Crows superstars — it’s the best way forward.”
Crows fans should get to Alberton Oval tomorrow and make the call for themselves.
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