Bernie Vince and Jason Porplyzia starred in the opening SANFL series.

Both were named as Crows emergencies last weekend and kept their names in front of the selectors with strong midfield performances.

Vince collected 27 possessions, impressing around the stoppages with good use of the football and good decision-making. He also kicked two goals in the Eagles’ big win over South Adelaide at Encounter Bay.

And Porplyzia also had a 27-possession game for West Adelaide and was probably his side’s best player in its narrow loss to Sturt. He was regularly first to the football and also used it well.

Luke Jericho’s steady return to full fitness continued with West.

Unfortunately he missed a difficult running shot on goal which would have given West the lead just before the final siren. But he had a solid game, kicking 2.3 after starting the match in defence.

Kurt Tippett made his debut for West and was competitive in the ruck against Sturt’s Power-listed Fabian Deluca and Simon Feast. Wingman David Mackay also had a good game for South reserves, earning 25 possessions.

Adelaide’s four rookies also performed well.

North Adelaide’s Andrew McIntyre had a big job against Central District key forward Justin Westhoff and was very competitive in a losing side. South’s 2006 best and fairest Rhys Archard worked hard for his 22 possessions.

In the SANFL reserves, James Turner was South’s best. He played in defence, had more than 20 possessions and took 10 marks. And Greg Gallman (North) was serviceable against experienced key forward Luke Cowan.

Glenelg (John Hinge, James Sellar) had the bye.

League statistics

Porplyzia (West):

Kicks: 14
Handballs: 13
Marks: 0
Goals: 1.0

Tippett (West):

K: 4
H: 4
M: 1
Hit outs: 7
G: 1.0

Jericho (West):

K: 13
H: 4
M: 8
G: 2.3

Archard (South):

K: 9
H: 13
M: 3

Vince (Woodville-West Torrens):

K: 20
H: 7
M: 2
G: 2

McIntyre (North):

K: 9
H: 10
M: 9

Round one results:

Port 22.7 (139) def. Norwood 17.8 (110) at Norwood
Sturt 11.17 (83) def. West Adelaide 11.8 (74) at Richmond Oval
Central 16.10 (106) def. North Adelaide 9.10 (64) at Elizabeth Oval
Eagles 24.19 (163) def. South Adelaide 11.11 (77) at Encounter Bay

Next round:

Saturday
Central v South (Elizabeth)
Sunday
Eagles v Port Magpies (Woodville)
Sturt v Glenelg (Unley)
North v West (Prospect)
Bye: Norwood