PORT ADELAIDE'S Academy team will regroup for another assault on the SANFL Reserves competition in 2016 after a disappointing defeat in Saturday's preliminary final.
The Roosters ran away with the game in the final term - eventually winning by 49 points - after just two goals separated the teams at three-quarter time.
Despite working hard at stoppages, the Magpies trailled the Roosters at quarter time and were always kept at bay by the red-and-white.
Devoid of its best players owing to restrictions on league players, the Magpies were a shadow of the team that played North in the qualifying final just weeks earlier.
When North broke away to kick four quick goals in the final term, the match was sewn up.
Academy coach Mark Clayton said he was proud of the performance of his team in 2015, which played in its first finals series since the change to its new football structure.
"I'm really proud of where this team has come from in the last 12 months," Clayton said.
"Jacob Surjan did a lot with this group last year and they came back willing to work and improve again this year, they really showed it in the second half of the season.
"Their passion and committment to the club was second to none, it's a disappointing way to end the year, but we'll just regroup for a big pre-season and do it all again."
Jack Haarsma finished the game with 21 possessions in a strong performance around the ground while key forward Sam Gordon had 20 touches and bagged five goals.
ACADEMY SCOREBOARD
Port Adelaide 3.3 7.5 10.8 12.9 (81)
North Adelaide 5.1 11.5 12.9 20.10 (130)
GOALS
Gordon 5, Coulson 2, M. Williams, Proude, Roads, Deeley-Godfrey, Miller
BEST
Gordon, Corcoran, Roads, M Williams, Ross, Hawkins
At Richmond Oval
