Adelaide’s up and coming youngsters showcased their talent in a Next Generation Academies ‘Showdown’ against Port Adelaide at Glenelg Oval on Tuesday.
The Crows’ under-14 NGA side recorded a 11.11 (77) to 10.7 (67) victory against the Power
Adelaide trailed by 11 points at quarter-time but more efficient ball movement helped the Crows to flex their muscles in the second term and wrestle back momentum.
The Crows restricted Port Adelaide to just two scoring shots to hold a six-point advantage at half-time.
Both sides went goal-for-goal in the third quarter, before a four-goal-to-one final term helped Adelaide break away for the win.
The under-14 NGA squad was made up of representatives from the Club’s newly formed Be a Pro Academies talent-based program and included players from Central District, Glenelg, North Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens.
Glenelg’s Harrison Webb was awarded best-on-ground, while Central District product Mason Muir kicked three goals.
Several sons of former players also lined up in the Crows’ NGA team on Tuesday - James Burton (son of Brett Burton), Harry Thompson (son of Scott Thompson), Tyson Bickley (Mark Bickley’s son) and Jack Gallagher (son of James Gallagher).
Crows SANFL Skipper Jack Madgen coached the side, and was supported by the Club’s NGA aligned SANFL under-14 coaches.
SANFL Crows and Academies manager Jarrod Meers said the Crows Academies, which had long been supported by Bridgestone, gave aspiring footballers an opportunity to train in an elite environment.
“As a club, the Adelaide Football Club is keen to continue playing a role in assisting the next generation of South Australia football talent,” Meers said.
“Our new Crows Academies Be a Pro program has elevated the experience for all participants, giving them access to an AFL Club environment, which adds value to existing club talent programs.”
SCOREBOARD
Crows Academies 11.11 (77)
Port Adelaide NGA 10.7 (67)
BEST:
Crows: Harrison Webb, Noah Kruger, Sam Pedlar, Zane Rooney, Jack Gallagher, Charlie Doan
GOALS:
Crows: Mason Muir 3, Zane Rooney 2, Jack Gallagher, Jake Jones, Arthur Clinch, Jacob Westley, Harrison Webb, Michael Clinch Jnr 1
