First-year Crow Matthew Signorello feels he’s become a more complete player as Adelaide’s youngsters continue to develop their craft at SANFL level.
Signorello, the youngest player on the Club’s list at just 18 years of age, was drafted to the Crows as a ball-winning stoppage specialist from the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup.
He’s had to adjust to a different role as an outside runner in his first season of senior SANFL football. The 186cm, 73kg Crow has shown glimpses of his ability to weave through traffic and win the ball at the contest, but has played predominately on a wing or at half-forward in Season 2017.
Signorello said it’s helped him add another dimension to his game.
“It’s been a bit of a different role for me playing outside on the wing,” he said after Saturday’s clash with Sturt.
“Today, I felt like I was running to better spots and I think that role I’ve had has helped fast-track that part of my game.
“I’ve worked hard on my kicking with ROK (Crows SANFL coach Ryan O’Keefe) and VB (Development coach Nathan van Berlo). My hands have always been my strength, so it’s something I need to work on to take my game to the next level.
“I’ve also worked closely with Cam Ellis-Yolmen and got some advice from a few of the more senior players about techniques they use with their kicking.
“It’s already helped me a lot.”
Adelaide was without a host of key, experienced players in Saturday’s SANFL clash with the reigning premiers.
It forced the likes of Signorello and fellow first-year onballers Myles Poholke and Jordan Gallucci to assume more responsibility against the battle-hardened Double Blues outfit, which features dual Magarey Medallist Zane Kirkwood and former Crows Aidan Riley and James Battersby.
While the result didn’t go Adelaide’s way, the final 52-point margin masked several impressive performances from the Club’s next wave of young players.
Signorello had a season-high 21 possessions and four clearances, Poholke won a season-best 22 possessions and had six rebound 50ms, while defender Tom Doedee continued his fine SANFL season with 23 disposals at 83 per cent efficiency along with eight rebound 50ms.
“It was a good opportunity for us young boys to show what we’ve got,” Signorello said.
“We saw a couple of good performances today. We’re still building as players and as a team and I thought we held our own today at certain stages.
“The first half was pretty good and we were up in the first quarter, but they’re a pretty experienced side. We knew coming into the game we had a few boys out, so we knew it was going to be a challenge.
“For the majority of the game our boys stood tall and I thought we gave a pretty good effort.”
Next week looms as another big test for Adelaide’s SANFL side. The Crows head to Alberton Oval to take on the Magpies, who sit second on the League ladder.
Signorello simply views the game as another opportunity.
“SANFL Showdowns are always pretty exciting,” he said.
“Last time we played them it was a great experience. I don’t think they have many injuries at the moment, so they should have a strong side.
“We’ll put our best foot forward, take them on and see how we go.”
