Croweaters on Camera – Midfielders

As the AFL Draft edges on closer on Wednesday December 9, SANFL’s Zac Milbank has selected his favourite highlight reels of South Australia’s budding young stars.

After kicking off with the forwards striving for selection, check out the best vision of the Croweaters’ midfielders ahead of the annual national selection meeting which captivates fans of all clubs across Australia. 

Tom Powell had a mountain of the ball – 47 disposals – against West in Round 10 but it was what he did with it which counts. The Double Blues’ midfielder takes an eye-catching one-handed intercept mark before displaying his poise to then put a long pass onto the chest of his teammate. The son of 2002 Jack Oatey Medallist Matthew Powell then weaves beautifully through traffic before unleashing a massive handball to the advantage of his teammate through the corridor.

Along with Riley Thilthorpe, Durdin produced one of his most memorable performances as a 17-year-old in 2019. In just his third game of League football, the Kevin Sheahan Medallist booted three goals and hit the post after showing a blistering turn of speed. Of his three goals, Durdin was able to fend off a much stronger opponent to boot his first while his third included a great piece of crumbing before a classy checkside finish on the run.

Poulter was one of the standouts in the NAB AFL All-Stars match in October and this passage of play was no exception. The big-bodied midfielder marks the ball at half-back before working hard down the wing to rack up two handballs and a ‘Don’t Argue’. The left-footer then manages to find a teammate on the lead by foot despite being slung in the tackle. Super impressive.

The boy from Roxby Downs produced a moment to remember in his League debut with a stunning goal against Norwood at The Parade. Showing an aggressive attack on the ball Chamberlain displays his pace to get to the contest first, gather cleanly in damp conditions and then snap truly on the run from a challenging angle. The timing of the goal was also impressive considering it put the Bloods in front early in the last term, putting them on the path to an unlikely victory against the Redlegs.

Considered an outside chance to be selected by an AFL club next week, Eagles midfielder Lachie McNeil did his chances no harm with an excellent Grand Final display. To go with his 23 disposals and nine marks, the 19-year-old took a handball receive at extreme speed, had two bounces and kicked truly on the run from 20m. His major put the Eagles up by nine points in the second term as they made a staggering assault on the Roosters with nine goals in succession.