AFL Draft 2023: The standouts and full stats from the SA under 18 v SA under 20 clash
With the national under-18 championships and mid-season draft approaching, AFL recruiters had their eyes on the SA U18 v U20 match last week. Here is our full scouting report.
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South Australia’s best junior footballers were on show at Thebarton Oval last Friday night as the state’s under-18 side took another step towards the national carnival in an exhibition match against the under-20s.
See who starred and all the stats ahead of the mid-season draft and SA’s first under-18 championships match against the Allies on June 4.
Scoreboard
SA U18 1.4, 1.8, 1.12, 3.14 (32)
SA U20 0.1, 5.1, 8.7, 10.10 (70)
UNDER 18s SCOUTING NOTES
Kane McAuliffe (North Adelaide)
27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 7 clearances, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s
The bid-bodied midfielder wasted little showing off his strengths, taking the ball cleanly at ground level and spinning out of congestion to get his side going at the first bounce, before hitting a target inside-50 with his penetrating left-foot shortly after. McAuliffe, who is averaging 148 Champion Data ranking points at SANFL under-18 level, was involved all night, finishing with 27 disposals – eight more than any other teammate.
Luca Slade (Sturt)
19 disposals, 15 uncontested possessions, 8 handball receives, 5 tackles
They didn’t convert – and it eventually cost them – but the under-18s dominated play at times during the first half – and Slade was a big reason why. The versatile midfielder made good decisions with the ball, waiting and finding the right target by foot numerous times. He works hard, evident by one play in the first half that saw him take the ball cleanly off hands on the wing, set a teammate free and then follow up at the next contest at ground level, with his handball resulting in a shot at goal.
Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
17 disposals, 8 contested possessions, 7 handball receives, 5 tackles
He’s not draft eligible until next year but Draper, the younger brother of Collingwood 2021 draftee Arlo, is making a big impression already. The 16-year-old turned heads at the pre-season testing day, averaged 129 ranking points in his past four SANFL under-18 matches and impressed at Thebarton Oval. He has fast feet, quick, clean hands and always gets himself in the right spot to win the ball, finishing with 17 disposals, the fifth-most for the under-18s.
Logan Evans (Norwood)
15 disposals, 5 rebound 50s
The teenager is having an impact for Norwood in the SANFL this season, averaging 15 disposals and six intercepts in his first four matches at senior level. Against the under-20s, Evans was clean on the ground, even when the rain came, and showed glimpses of his ability to not only compete but win the ball back off the opposition.
Jed Dignan (North Adelaide)
19 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 7 marks
Dignan showed his versatility as a midfielder, winning the ball at ground level at stoppages and in the air, with his strong intercept mark a highlight of the first term. The 18-year-old finished with a team-high seven marks and 11 contested possessions, second only to McAuliffe.
Will McCabe (Central)
8 disposals, 4 marks
McCabe, a 197cm defender, is one of few South Australians at the top end of the draft to really enhance his standing in the first half of the year. The Hawthorn father-son prospect was the best player on the ground against a combined GWS and Sydney Academy side a week earlier and, while he wasn’t quite as prolific against the under-20s, still showed off his eye-catching aerial prowess.
Will Patton (West Adelaide)
10 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles
South Australia’s captain had some nice moments both defensively and offensively in the back-half in Friday night’s loss and was named his side’s MVP. But he’s capable of having far greater influence and the Croweaters will need him to at the national carnival.
UNDER 20s SCOUTING NOTES
Will Francou (North Adelaide)
17 disposals, 11 handball receives
The son of former Port Adelaide star Josh, Francou impressed with his footy smarts on Friday night. He was involved in the under-20s first two goals in the second term and showed his ability to make something happen early in the third quarter, winning the ball at ground level on the wing, before breaking away and finding a target in the corridor to launch an attacking foray. After being overlooked in last year’s draft, Francou has played three league games for Port Adelaide this year as part of the SANFL’s rookie program.
Tyson Walls (Norwood)
17 disposals, 5 marks, three inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s
Despite putting up some big numbers at SANFL under-18 level and enjoying some nice moments – against Vic Metro in particular – at the national carnival, Walls was overlooked in the draft. But the 19-year-old was busy again at Thebarton Oval, with his evasiveness and quick feet and hands standing out. After a solid start at reserves level in 2023, his next challenge is to break through for a league debut at Norwood.
Will Pearce (Eagles)
15 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 3 goals
The 20-year-old, fresh off 14 disposals, nine score involvements, eight contested possessions and two goals in the Eagles’ SANFL win over Central, Pearce booted a game-high three goals and showed off the efficiency and power of his left-foot.
Kobe Ryan (West Adelaide)
27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 7 tackles, 7 clearances
After two standout junior seasons, many thought Ryan was unlucky not to be drafted last year. There were concerns over his upside and ability to hurt the opposition, but he continues to dominate games. The ball magnet was typically clean, tough and prolific last Friday, tallying 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions and seven tackles. And the performance came a week after a remarkable display at SANFL level, with Ryan finishing with 28 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 16 tackles and 11 clearances against Norwood.
Originally published as AFL Draft 2023: The standouts and full stats from the SA under 18 v SA under 20 clash
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