SANFL live stream: Top Sturt, Central prospects to watch in SANFL U18s round five clash

Sturt, Central District, North and South Adelaide have all been in action in back-to-back SANFL live streamed matches. Replay them here.

Two talent breeding grounds collide when Sturt hosted Central District in a SANFL under-18 clash at Unley Oval on Saturday.

The Double Blues and Dogs’ match was one of three games broadcast by The Advertiser as part of our season-long SANFL live streaming coverage.

The other clashes saw South Adelaide and North Adelaide collide in the under-16s from 11am Saturday before the highly-anticipated league grand final rematch between the Eagles and Glenelg on Anzac Day.

You can replay the Sturt v Central District under-18 match above.

REPLAY - SANFL: SOUTH ADELAIDE v NORTH ADELAIDE U16

PLAYERS TO WATCH

STURT

CORMAC DWYER

Dwyer is also a talented cricketer. Picture: Dean Martin

A talented cricketer who has made SA junior state squads and captained St Peter’s, Cormac Dwyer has been a force in the midfield for the Double Blues this season.

The big-bodied onballer leads Sturt in clearances and ranks fifth overall while also averaging 24 touches per game and hitting the scoreboard.

Coach Michael Higgs said the 185cm, 85kg Dwyer had strength and speed that few in the competition could match.

“He’s a very powerful athlete and has been really good at stoppage for us,” Higgs said.

Dwyer was a dominant force in round one when he racked up 29 disposals and kicked 3.2 in a big win over South Adelaide.

CHAD RESCHKE

With 18 goals in the first four games – including a bag of seven in round one and five in round two – Chad Reschke is one of the most dangerous forwards in the under-18s.

Higgs said bottom-ager Reschke’s ability to play both tall and small made him a difficult matchup for defenders.

“Chad plays full forward for us and is 187cm but is quite strong and powerful,” Higgs said.

“He’s quite good on the ground and loves tackle pressure, which is unusual for someone who plays as a key forward, but he does a bit of everything up there for us.”’

JACKSON BISHOP

A basketballer who has only returned to football in the past two seasons, Jackson Bishop has turned heads playing a ruck-forward role this season.

The 191cm 17-year-old was prolific last time out with 13 touches, seven marks, four tackles and a goal in round four.

“Jackson’s got an amazing vertical leap and can really catch them in the contested marking contests,” Higgs said.

“He pretty much takes a hanger every week.”

ALEX HOLT

Half-back Alex Holt won the Torrens University Cup MVP for round two when he recorded 23 disposals in an eye-catching performance against West Adelaide.

“He reads the play really well and can intercept mark … he’s also a great kick and very good decision-maker with ball in hand,” Higgs said.

Holt, another of the Double Blues’ strong crop of bottom-agers, is a member of this year’s SANFL U18 Talent Hub.

LUCA SLADE

Higgs rates Luca Slade – the son of eight-time Central District premiership player Matthew Slade – as one of the smartest footballers he has coached.

“Luca’s been very impressive and can be like another coach out there on the field,” Higgs said.

“He makes brilliant decisions out there, is very composed, can sell some candy and go one way and then the other. He just understands the game very well.”

The bottom-ager is also a member of the SANFL U18 Talent Hub.

CENTRAL DISTRICT

TRENT TATTOLI

Central District under-18 ball magnet Trent Tattoli had a team-high 32 disposals last round against the Roosters. Picture: SANFL/Peter Argent

When it comes to hard workers in the Dogs’ under-18s they don’t come much more tireless than midfielder Trent Tattoli.

Leading the competition for tackles and fourth for disposals with 27 per game, Tattoli has room for improvement when it comes to impact with his touches but is a consistent contributor for his side.

“He’s got a massive engine and great aerobic capacity,” Central District development manager Scott Stevens said.

The Trinity College student racked up 32 touches in last week’s defeat to North Adelaide.

ISAAC DOWNIE

The Dogs’ defence has been under siege so far this campaign and one player standing tall in the backline has been Isaac Downie.

Stevens said while the key defender’s skills needed refining, Downie gave his all every week.

“Isaac’s played extremely well for us early and is a dour defender, you love the way he goes about it,” he said.

SEBASTIAN WAUER

Rating second in the competition for disposals, Sebastian Wauer has been recording some eye-watering numbers in 2022.

The half-back had 41 touches, including 32 kicks, against South Adelaide in round two and holds a season average of 30 per game while also leading the league for rebound 50s.

BRODIE TUCK

Brodie Tuck, the Dogs’ captain, earned a call-up to the reserves last week but has been a key contributor for the under-18s so far.

He had a standout game in round two where he picked up 24 disposals, 11 marks and kicked 1.2.

WILL McCABE

The son of former Hawthorn and Central District footballer Luke McCabe, Will McCabe is beginning to make his own mark at Elizabeth.

The father-son prospect, who is a bottom-ager, put together a three-goal, 17-disposal display in round two.