THE STOCKS of Caleb Daniel have risen after the small forward starred in South Australia's 63-point demolition of Vic Country at Simonds Stadium on Friday.
The South Adelaide livewire, who stands at 167cm and weighs 66kg, dominated in a clear best-on-ground performance, amassing 27 disposals, eight tackles, three goals and 11 score involvements.
South Australia's 12.11 (83) to 2.8 (20) triumph was its fourth win for the carnival, moving one game clear of Vic Country after round five of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships division one competition.
Daniel helped his side burst out of the blocks in the first term, gathering eight possessions at 100 percent efficiency, as well as three tackles, four score involvements and one goal.
Vic Country, held goalless in the opening half, kicked its first major at the 12-minute mark of the second term, courtesy of Patrick McCartin.
Potential Melbourne father-son prospect Billy Stretch impressed with 18 touches for SA.
The 179cm midfielder, son of former Melbourne and Fitzroy player Steven Stretch, was pivotal across the wing, with his work rate and ability to bring his teammates into the match clear from the outset.
He was well complemented by skipper Jake Johansen – likened to North Melbourne's Brent Harvey – who gathered 15 possessions in a solid performance.
SA prospect Sam Durdin, who stands at 197cm, lined up on Country's Hugh Goddard at centre half-forward in an intriguing match-up, although neither did much in the opening term with just one touch apiece.
At half-time, Durdin had five touches and one mark, while Goddard – younger cousin of Essendon's Brendon – had four disposals and three marks.
Another player who contributed across half-back was Harrison Wigg, who possesses a booming, accurate left-foot kick and an ability to break the lines.
Declan Hamilton, the nephew of Andrew and Darren Jarman, looked composed for SA, making smart decisions and executing his 14 disposals well.
On-baller Alex Neal-Bullen, likened to St Kilda's Lenny Hayes, was damaging around the stoppages, gathering 16 touches.
Versatile medium forward James Rose stood out with his penetrating kicking action, kicking two goals from 11 possessions.
In an afternoon where there weren't too many positives for Country, the performance of inside midfielder Teia Miles was encouraging with 19 touches and five marks.
Bottom-aged player Rhys Mathieson, ineligible for this year's draft, showed promising signs for the future, collecting 17 possessions, six clearances and three inside 50s respectively.
Defender Caleb Marchbank offered strong rebound from the defensive 50 as well as being the third man up on occasions, while half-back flanker Daniel Capiron collected 14 possessions in a defence that was under constant pressure.
Fellow backman and potential father-son prospect Zaine Cordy, son of Western Bulldog Brian, gathered 11 touches.
In the centre, Billy Evans was kept relatively quiet, finishing with five touches, along with small half-forward Jack Lonie – cousin of former AFL players Ryan and Nathan Lonie – with seven touches.
Vic Country 0.2 0.5 1.6 2.8 (20)
South Australia 5.4 6.5 9.9 12.11 (83)
GOALS
Vic Country: McCartin 2
South Australia: Daniel 3, Rose, Hone 2, Stretch, McLean, Gore, Read, Partington
BEST
Vic Country: Miles, Mathieson, Marchbank, Drummond, Maishman, Capiron
South Australia: Daniel, Stretch, Wigg, Wilkie, Neal-Bullen, Hayes
