A number of Port Adelaide players made a step forward in their development towards AFL selection this week as Ben Newton and Jasper Pittard were brought into their respective SANFL League sides.
Newton debuted for West Adelaide against Sturt whilst Pittard ran out for the Double Blues firsts - both having solid performances.
Their progress from injuries earlier in the year has seen the pair play in the reserves throughout the year, but consistently good performances saw them both rewarded with League selection on the weekend.
Cameron O'Shea lined up in South Adelaide's forward lines and booted two goals for the Panthers in the final quarter, whilst Daniel Webb also had a positive match for the Bloods.
Simon Phillips (for Redlegs v Bulldogs)
15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal
Flip had a pretty standard game for the Redlegs. He had some good moments and 15 possessions in the end which is slightly up on what he’s had previously as well as 5 tackles and a goal. Simon had some opportunities to make those numbers more impressive but wasn’t able to take advantage of them through skill errors and we continue to work on his cleanliness with the ball. His defensive pressure was good during the match but he still needs to impact more when the ball’s in his area.
Nick Salter (for Eagles v Panthers)
7 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 goals
‘Salts’ had a quiet game as far as involvements go, but did work hard deep in the forward line. He got up the ground every now and then and was involved in stoppages, but didn’t see as much of the football as we would have liked and didn’t influence the game in the way he normally does.
Jarrad Redden (for Eagles v Panthers)
11 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 21 hit outs, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50
A much better game for Reddo after his disappointing game against Centrals the week before and he seemed to enjoy playing more at Woodville Oval this week than Elizabeth. He battled in the ruck and had a number of influences around the ground in the second half which is a positive to see from him.
Cameron O’Shea (for Panthers v Eagles)
12 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 3 hit outs, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals
O’Shea was South’s Centre Half Forward and played a role focussed on really nullifying Mark McKenzie for the Eagles. I thought he did reasonably well, McKenzie was under pressure most of the time and Cam was working really hard across that line. Cam kicked two goals in the final quarter to seal it for the Panthers and that’s a good reward for his effort all day. Overall it was a positive step forward from him.
Daniel Webb (for Bloods v Double Blues)
15 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 18 hit outs, 2 clearances
Webby played ruck and forward and had a pretty good match. He only kicked one behind but it was actually a very good game from him. He did some very good things in the ruck and helped to influence up forward despite not kicking a goal. This was his best performance for some time.
15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal
Flip had a pretty standard game for the Redlegs. He had some good moments and 15 possessions in the end which is slightly up on what he’s had previously as well as 5 tackles and a goal. Simon had some opportunities to make those numbers more impressive but wasn’t able to take advantage of them through skill errors and we continue to work on his cleanliness with the ball. His defensive pressure was good during the match but he still needs to impact more when the ball’s in his area.
Nick Salter (for Eagles v Panthers)
7 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 goals
‘Salts’ had a quiet game as far as involvements go, but did work hard deep in the forward line. He got up the ground every now and then and was involved in stoppages, but didn’t see as much of the football as we would have liked and didn’t influence the game in the way he normally does.
Jarrad Redden (for Eagles v Panthers)
11 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 21 hit outs, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50
A much better game for Reddo after his disappointing game against Centrals the week before and he seemed to enjoy playing more at Woodville Oval this week than Elizabeth. He battled in the ruck and had a number of influences around the ground in the second half which is a positive to see from him.
Cameron O’Shea (for Panthers v Eagles)
12 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 3 hit outs, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals
O’Shea was South’s Centre Half Forward and played a role focussed on really nullifying Mark McKenzie for the Eagles. I thought he did reasonably well, McKenzie was under pressure most of the time and Cam was working really hard across that line. Cam kicked two goals in the final quarter to seal it for the Panthers and that’s a good reward for his effort all day. Overall it was a positive step forward from him.
Daniel Webb (for Bloods v Double Blues)
15 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 18 hit outs, 2 clearances
Webby played ruck and forward and had a pretty good match. He only kicked one behind but it was actually a very good game from him. He did some very good things in the ruck and helped to influence up forward despite not kicking a goal. This was his best performance for some time.
Ben Newton (for Bloods v Double Blues)
12 disposals, 1 mark, 4 inside 50s
Ben played his first game in the League across half back for the first two quarters and midfield for the last two. Newts ended up with 12 possessions, was good defensively (his opponents didn’t get very many touches) and had a pretty reasonable game without getting much of the ball himself. Benny looks good as a League footballer and we’re looking forward to him settling there.
Jasper Pittard (for Double Blues v Bloods)
12 disposals, 1 mark, 4 inside 50s
Ben played his first game in the League across half back for the first two quarters and midfield for the last two. Newts ended up with 12 possessions, was good defensively (his opponents didn’t get very many touches) and had a pretty reasonable game without getting much of the ball himself. Benny looks good as a League footballer and we’re looking forward to him settling there.
Jasper Pittard (for Double Blues v Bloods)
14 disposals, 4 marks, 1 rebound 50
Jasper had his first game in the League this week and played the whole game across half back. He had a reasonable performance back in the firsts - wasn’t fantastic, wasn’t horrendous - and showed a lot of good defensive work. ‘Jasp’ also looked like he was backing himself in with his speed and run and seems confident with body - that’s what we want to see.
Reserves
Jasper had his first game in the League this week and played the whole game across half back. He had a reasonable performance back in the firsts - wasn’t fantastic, wasn’t horrendous - and showed a lot of good defensive work. ‘Jasp’ also looked like he was backing himself in with his speed and run and seems confident with body - that’s what we want to see.
Reserves
Jarrad Irons (for Eagles v Panthers)
18 disposals, 7 marks, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal
Jarrad played off half back for the first time this year and had a solid game. He had 18 possessions and gave the Eagles a little bit of run out of defence. Jarrad’s a skilful player and can kick with both feet and took the opportunity to demonstrate that during the game. The Eagles played a very strong side to get the win and he was a contributor to that. Hopefully he continues to play develop in that half back role.
Mitch Curnow (for Double Blues v Bloods)
13 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 14 hit outs, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50
Mitch played reserves in the ruck and a little bit up forward. It was good to see him get a little bit of the ball with 3 marks and 3 tackles. He still needs to get more aggressive but was O.K. overall.
18 disposals, 7 marks, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal
Jarrad played off half back for the first time this year and had a solid game. He had 18 possessions and gave the Eagles a little bit of run out of defence. Jarrad’s a skilful player and can kick with both feet and took the opportunity to demonstrate that during the game. The Eagles played a very strong side to get the win and he was a contributor to that. Hopefully he continues to play develop in that half back role.
Mitch Curnow (for Double Blues v Bloods)
13 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 14 hit outs, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50
Mitch played reserves in the ruck and a little bit up forward. It was good to see him get a little bit of the ball with 3 marks and 3 tackles. He still needs to get more aggressive but was O.K. overall.
