The Phantom’s Intel: The returning Brad Crouch, Ollie Wines’ new replacement and the young Crow forwards headline the summer showdown at Thebarton Oval

It might only have been a practice match but SuperCoaches can still take plenty out of the Under-23 Summer Showdown on Saturday. The Phantom delivers all the SuperCoach intel on the returning Brad Crouch, Ollie Wines’ new replacement and more.

Connor Rozee, pictured at training, showed what he is capable of in Saturday’s pre-season hit-out. Picture Simon Cross

• The Phantom’s pre-season guide to: Premium smokies | Premium forwards | Premium defenders | Premium midfielders | Mid-price defenders| Mid-price midfielders | Mid-price ruckmen | Mid-price forwards | Mid price smokies | Cash cows in defence | Midfield cash cows | Cash cow defenders | Cash cow ruckmen | Cash cow forwards | Cash Cow smokies

• Survival Guide and Phantom team

It might only have been a practice match but SuperCoaches can still take plenty out of the Under-23 Summer Showdown on Saturday. The Phantom delivers all the SuperCoach intel on the returning Brad Crouch, Ollie Wines’ new replacement and more.

Port Adelaide 15.8 (98) defeated Adelaide 13.9 (87)

Thebarton Oval

Brad Crouch, left, made a successful comeback in the practice match against the Power.

Brad Crouch (Adel)

$418,000, Mid

In his first competitive hit-out in more than 12 months, the 25-year-old was the Crows’ best at Thebarton Oval on Saturday. After a slow start, the injury-plagued Crouch tallied 25 possessions — more than half of them contested — and a handful of clearances. The tough midfielder, who is showing no signs of the groin injury that ruined his 2018 season, did some sharp work on the inside and, best of all, put together a full four-quarter performance.

THE PHANTOM’S INTEL FROM THE FIRST PRACTICE MATCHES

Willem Drew (Port)

$123,900, Fwd/Mid

Willem Drew, left, boxing with Charlie Dixon at the Power’s Noosa training camp.

With Ollies Wines set to miss the early-part of the season, there’s room for an inside midfielder to step up at Alberton. And, with Joe Atley also on the sideline through injury, it could be the strongly-built 20-year-old, who was the Power’s best against the Crows.

Drew, who managed just one SANFL game last season after battling a foot injury, tackled hard, won a number of centre clearances and pushed forward to boot three majors.

Shane McAdam (Adel)

$123,900, Fwd

It’s going to be a tough forward line to break into but the mature-age recruit did his Round 1 chances no harm with an impressive display. McAdam finished with three goals but, in something which would’ve please coached Don Pyke, applied plenty of defensive pressure, with a chase-down tackle at half-back a highlight.

Tyson Stengle (Adel)

$123,900, Fwd

While he hasn’t been talked about in the SuperCoach community as much as his new team-mate McAdam, Stengle must be added to JLT Series watchlists after an eye-catching first-up performance as a Crow. The 20-year-old, who was the No. 1 player for scoreboard impact in the VFL last season, was lively at half-forward, booting four goals and playing a hand in a number of others.

Port Adelaide draftees Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma.

Zak Butters (Port)

$157,800, Mid

Butters, who averaged 110 SuperCoach points in the TAC Cup last season, despite only tallying 20 disposals per game, showed his class through the midfield and was the pick of Port’s draftees on Saturday. The 18-year-old was clever in traffic and displayed strong hands on the lead, after starting forward.

Draftee Ned McHenry during his first pre-season at the Crows.

Ned McHenry (Adel)

$139,800, Fwd/Mid

The Crows’ second selection in last year’s national draft was in everything early as he chased, tackled and won plenty of the ball himself, roaming up onto a wing. Expect to see the 178cm McHenry at some stage in his debut season.

Lachlan Sholl (Adel)

Def $117,300

The surprise of the day. The 19-year-old, who averaged 24 disposals and 110 SuperCoach points per game in the TAC Cup, was great defensively, winning a number of important contests and was very composed with the footy in his hands across half-back. But he might just be one for the future, given the strength of Adelaide’s defence.

Xavier Duursma (Port)

$130,800, Def/Mid

The 18-year-old, who has impressed in his first pre-season at Alberton, should get a real opportunity to push his case for Round 1 selection in the upcoming JLT Series after an encouraging performance against the Crows. Duursma was the only midfielder to rate elite for intercept possessions, score involvements and goals in the TAC Cup and his flexibility — which was on display at Thebarton Oval — should work in his favour.

Tom Doedee (Adel)

Def $446,200

He was a great SuperCoach cash cow last year and, while he might not be a popular selection at the elevated price this year, Doedee was a class above in defence for the Crows. Keep him in mind for your SuperCoach Draft.

Ryan Burton (Port)

$356,700, Def

As expected, the Power recruit spent most of his time across half-back and his team-mates looked to get the ball in his hands whenever they could. Despite a couple of early mistakes, the 22-year-old was one of the Power’s best.

Connor Rozee (Port)

$189,300, Def/Fwd

While he wasn’t a standout, the Power’s top pick in last year’s draft showed enough to suggest he’s capable of having a big impact in his debut season. The 18-year-old booted two goals in a half-forward role that he’s likely to assume in Round 1.

Originally published as The Phantom’s Intel: The returning Brad Crouch, Ollie Wines’ new replacement and the young Crow forwards headline the summer showdown at Thebarton Oval