JAKE NEADE has roared back into form with an impressive showing for Port Adelaide’s SANFL team to be named the football development team's player of the week.

PORT ADELAIDE v WEST ADELAIDE at Alberton Oval
PlayerDMTHOClI50R50G.B
Neade2244-5511.2
Newton188211620.1
Ah Chee147-21-1-
J. Butcher1142--2-1.2
J. Hoskin*#349113572.0
D. Butcher*#2291-3412.0
* denotes reserves player; # denotes rookie-listed player

Neade was the Power’s best player in the Magpies’ final home game of the year and demonstrated his creative talent at SANFL level for the first time, according to development coach Stuart Cochrane.

“Jake was pretty exciting to watch and very lively all day,” Cochrane told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“He worked into good positions, broke away from opponents, looked dangerous up forward and had great pressure all game.

“He ended up with 1.2 and five inside-50s, his work rate was really good – a really impressive game.”

Ben Newton has been a strong performer for the Magpies in the back half of this season.

But while he had a solid first half for Port against the Bloods, he fell away at the end of the game according to development manager Daniel Healy.

“Newts was exactly as he’s been for the last few weeks up until half time,” Healy told portadelaidefc.com.au. “But after that he had about four touches which was disappointing.

“He wasn’t himself that half, but still looked like an accomplished player with the footy when he had it during the game.”

Brendon Ah Chee and John Butcher also suited up for the Magpies but struggled to have an impact throughout the course of the match.

Justin Hoskin and Danny Butcher both had standout games in Port Adelaide’s reserves grade.

Hoskin was best on ground while Butcher enjoyed a return to his early-season form.

“Hosko was the best player by far for the twos, he was a spare at half-back and involved himself heaps in the Maggies’ rebound,” said Cochrane.

“He got two goals running off half-back as well.

“It was also Danny’s best match for a while too, he ran well and got a couple of goals.

“A good effort all up, we haven’t seen a game like that from Danny for a while.”

STURT v SOUTH ADELAIDE at Envestra Park (reserves)
PlayerDMTHOClI50R50G.B
Shaw*94-2---5.1
*denotes reserves player

Mason Shaw played his last game for the 2013 season in the reserves, with aligned club South Adelaide having the bye next week.

Healy was pleased with Shaw’s effort and ability to kick goals in good conditions.

“Mason finally got a dry day!” said Healy.

“Ken Hinkley demanded he kick six goals and he fell one short – kicking 5.1.

“It probably wasn’t his best marking day and he dropped a couple close to goal, but it was good to see him get a reward for his efforts on a dry deck and kick a good score.

“Five goals for him in a side that lost by about 60 points is a pretty good effort.”

CENTRAL DISTRICT v GLENELG at Elizabeth Oval
PlayerDMTHOClI50R50G.B
Clurey1564---4-
Hitchcock125--2312.0

Central District kicked nine goals in the final quarter to take out a 10-goal victory over Glenelg at Elizabeth.

Tom Clurey played in defence for the Bays but was unable to replicate the aggressive contested work he has brought to games throughout this year.

“Tommy Clurey was a little bit disappointing,” said Cochrane.

“He still showed his good ability to hit targets out of defence, but I felt he lacked hardness in a few contests.

“We want him to be hard and ruthless as a defender.”

Cameron Hitchcock played a reasonable game and pulled up well as he eases his way back into football after recovering from a hamstring injury.

“Hitchy made some good runs and pushed hard at times,” said Cochrane.

“His effort was noticeable and he kicked two goals.

“He said he pulled up really well afterwards, so it was a good result to see him get through a reasonable game.”

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS v NORWOOD at Woodville Oval
PlayerDMTHOClI50R50G.B
Heath20101-117-
Salter12511-212.2
Thomas3082-5620.3
Pfeiffer #1352-12-3.1
# denotes rookie-listed player

Norwood dominated proceedings over the Eagles at Woodville Oval to further extend its lead atop the SANFL ladder.

Development coach Tyson Edwards was at the game and was pleased with the work of Matt Thomas and Campbell Heath for the Redlegs and Eagles respectively.

Thomas was again the Power’s standout for Norwood, playing his usual contested style.

“Matty Thomas was best again today, he had a lot of the ball and his stoppage work was good in the second half,” Edwards told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“He’s had a few quieter games in the last couple of weeks so it was good to see him recapture some of his best form.

“Campbell played loose down back all day and did that role pretty well.

“He had some impact on Norwood’s forward entries at times and a couple of spoils as well.”

Darren Pfeiffer
and Nick Salter both played up forward for their respective teams, but found the going tough in the first half.

Pfeiffer went on to impact the scoreboard for Norwood in the second half, while Salter managed to hunt the ball more up ground for the Eagles.

“Pfeiff wasn’t great in the first half but got more involved at half-forward in the second,” said Edwards.

“He got three goals, it was good to see him have a greater scoreboard impact.

“Salts was pretty quiet but the positive was that he had four shots at goal, converting two.”