Croweaters on Camera – Defenders

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 and midfielders striving for selection, check out the best vision of the Croweaters’ defenders ahead of the annual national selection meeting which captivates fans of all clubs across Australia. 

Zac Says – How can you go past the 2020 Statewide Super League Mark of the Year winner? Coming from four-deep, Jones shows off his athleticism with a massive contested mark in blustery conditions against Glenelg. To top it off, the likely Port Adelaide draftee also manages to land on his feet, displaying his supreme balance.

Zac Says – The mature-age defender displays plenty of poise and class with this solo effort through the middle of Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval. Wehr takes two bounces and is able to finish on the run despite being pushed as he kicks. On top of that, it proves to be the sealing goal in what proved to be a tense Grand Final preview against runner-up North Adelaide. It’s no wonder the classy left-footer seems destined for elite level.

Zac Says – Plenty has been said about James Borlase, the son of Port Adelaide premiership captain Darryl, leading into the draft and for good reason. The Crows Next Generation Academy prospect displayed why in the U18 Torrens University Cup Grand Final, taking several telling intercept marks for the Double Blues. The sizeable utility made a strong case for the Alan Stewart Medal in a losing side only to be pipped for selection but he won plenty of admirers battling against the tide in the title-decider.

Zac Says – We have to wind the clock back to last year but Luke Edwards’ goal as an ‘under-ager’ against Victoria Metro was a beauty. After reading the play nicely off hands, he sidesteps with poise before finishing along the ground with a checkside kick. Has been chiefly used in defence this year but this passage displays his versatility in being able to be thrown forward if necessary.

Zac Says – The Eagles’ Tasmanian recruit produced the tackle of the year when he brought down Glenelg’s Marlon Motlop in Round 5. Despite his team being well on top late in the third quarter, Mansell managed to close the significant gap and ensure the Bays’ premiership forward wouldn’t kick a certain goal as the ball dribbled into the behind post. Tremendous desperation.

Zac Says – One of West Adelaide’s success stories of 2020, Mitch Duval took a stunning mark running back with the flight against Sturt in his League debut. The 23-year-old was out of position but kept his eye on the ball as it sailed over his head before twisting his body to take it nicely in the hands. Showed plenty of courage like this for the Bloods throughout the season to be on the radar as a mature-aged AFL recruit.

Zac Says – Parks enjoyed a day out in the Bays’ gutsy Round 10 win against North, taking several eye-catching overhead marks. There were none more important than the one he snared 24 minutes into the final term as Glenelg was bravely trying to cling on to its two-point lead as the Roosters charged home with a strong breeze at their backs.