POSSIBLE Adelaide father-son draft selection Jackson Edwards has shone in South Australia's 46-point victory over Vic Country in their NAB AFL Under-18 Championships contest at Simonds Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Edwards, the son of former champion Crow Tyson, who played 321 games for the club from 1995-2010, was instrumental in his state's runaway 16.15 (111) to 9.11 (65) win.
Adelaide picked its first father-son draft selection when it took Ben Jarman, the son of former champion Crow Andrew, in last year’s rookie draft.
Edwards, a Glenelg product, racked up a game-high 30 disposals as South Australia bounced back from a horror showing in a 67-point belting at the hands of Vic Metro on Friday.
Their improved intent was evident from the start of the game, as South Australia dominated the possession count (372-297) and scooted away from its opponents with a six-goal burst in the second term.
The Croweaters kept the momentum rolling after the major break, thoroughly outplaying Country for most of the game as they clinched their second win of the championships.
Bottom-age forward Connor Rozee booted three goals in the opening-half rout as South Australia took a 38-point lead into half-time.
Solidly built midfielder Mitch Crowden was a dominant figure in the first half, gathering 20 disposals, five marks, four inside 50s and four tackles to help power South Australia to a 38-point lead at the major break.
Crowden's piercing left boot and ability to use his strong body in the contest, as he finished with 28 disposals and four clearances, were highlights of his impressive game.
Smooth-moving half-forward Izak Rankine (not eligible for this year's draft) was again outstanding for South Australia (20 touches and five inside 50s), capping his day with a sensational goal from an acute angle in the final term, and will no doubt be right at the top of next year's pool.
Jordan Houlahan, eligible for this year's draft, booted just one goal on the three-quarter time siren, but had some passages of play where he demonstrated some x-factor and an impressive vertical leap.
A number of Vic Country players were down across the board, but bottom-age midfielder Sam Walsh can hold his head high after collecting a match-high 24 disposals.
James Worpel and Cassidy Parish, the younger brother of Essendon's Darcy, each finished with 22 disposals and tried hard to the end.
Worpel's strength at stoppages (eight clearances) was impressive and as a mature body he will be ready to play senior football next year.
West Australian forward Oscar Allen was named the Larke Medallist – as the best and fairest player in the Division One Championships – after booting 11 goals from four matches.
VIC COUNTRY 1.3 3.5 7.7 9.11 (65)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.3 9.7 11.13 16.15 (111)
GOALS
Vic Country: Daniels 2, Clark 2, Dow, Davies-Uniacke, Worpel, Jiath, Williams
South Australia: Rozee 3, Smithson 3, Giro 3, Coleman-Jones, Crowden, Rowe, Davis, Ballard, Houlahan, Rankine
BEST
Vic Country: Walsh, Parish, Paton, Worpel, Quigley
South Australia: Crowden, Ballard, Edwards, Rankine, Giro, Rozee
