JACK Lukosius can't be drafted until next year, but that didn't stop the South Australian key forward from starring in his team's 51-point win over the Allies in Saturday's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships clash.
The 194cm prospect was exciting from the start and finished as the most eye-catching player on the ground, kicking three goals from 15 disposals and eight marks.
Lukosius, who doesn't turn 17 until August, has already been tipped as perhaps the standout player of what is already shaping as a brilliant 2018 draft pool and he lived up to that in SA's 17.10 (112) to 9.7 (61) win at Adelaide Oval.
The precocious Lukosius outpointed Allies opponent Jarrod Brander, a key defender tipped to be taken early at this year's draft, before Brander moved forward in the final term.
The win was South Australia's first for the carnival after losing to Western Australia last week in extra time.
Ruckman Callum Coleman-Jones put in a dominant showing with 28 disposals, 15 hit-outs and an impact around the ground, while exciting goalkicker Jordan Houlahan booted four majors. Houlahan is a medium forward but can fly for marks and is sharp when the ball hits the ground.
Small midfielder Stefan Giro collected 30 disposals as the leading possession winner on the ground, while Jackson Edwards, the son of former Crows star Tyson, had 22 touches.
Alongside Lukosius, South Australia's band of bottom-agers were again impressive, including Jackson Hately (27 disposals) and Izak Rankine (15 disposals, two goals). Rankine's brilliant snapped goal in the second term confirmed his talent as a player to watch next year.
No.1 pick contender Darcy Fogarty had patches of influence on the game and kicked two goals from 14 disposals, including a running shot after a clever shimmy late in the final term.
The Allies had periods of better play but were ultimately comprehensively beaten by the well-drilled South Australians.
Midfielder Zac Bailey isn't tall (180cm) but he impacts games and has a bit of dash to his game, and he gathered 22 disposals and five inside-50s to be among the Allies' best, while Nick Shipley had 22 disposals (20 were handballs).
Potential father-son and academy pick Bailey Scott kicked two goals from 14 disposals to show his presence around goal.
Scott is eligible to join the Roos and Geelong as a father-son pick next year where his father Robert Scott played between 1986-2000. But he is also eligible to be a Gold Coast academy selection given he has lived in the club's zone for the required time.
Brisbane Lions academy prospect Connor Ballenden had eight touches but took five marks and had 18 hit-outs, showing he may be more of a ruckman than key forward. Tasmanian Tarryn Thomas, who can join North Melbourne as a Next Generation Academy player next year, was solid without being exceptional for the Allies and had eight tackles to go with his 12 touches.
The Allies have the bye next round of the carnival.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4.2 6.5 12.9 17.10 (112)
ALLIES 1.3 6.4 6.5 9.7 (61)
GOALS
South Australia: Houlahan 4, Lukosius 3, Barry 2, Rankine 2, Fogarty 2, Giro, Rowe, Hewson, Rozee
Allies: Dixon 2, Scott 2, Brander, Powell, Davidson, Richards, Bell
AFL.com.au’s BEST
South Australia: Lukosius, Coleman-Jones, Rankine, Edwards, Petty, Giro
Allies: Bailey, Scott, Shipley, Bell, Highmore
