HIGHLY-TOUTED South Australian Jack Lukosius did his chances of becoming the No.1 overall pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft no harm with a best on ground performance in the SA school knockout competition grand final on Tuesday night.
But unlike the majority of his eye-catching games where he's dominated as a key forward, the 194cm Lukosius cruised around Norwood Oval in defence, marking everything in sight to showcase his versatility.
Lukosius missed last week's preliminary final win against Rostrevor with illness and had also been sidelined for the past couple of SANFL games with Woodville-West Torrens.
His marking and positional play in defence was a highlight, while he also launched a 60m torpedo down the wing when he couldn't find a short option by foot.
Lukosius collected the Colin Steinert Medal to help Henley Beach end a 38-year drought and win the competition for the first time since 1980, defeating defending champions Prince Alfred College by 25 points – 6.10 (46) to 2.9 (21).
Lukosius's Henley Beach teammate Izak Rankine – projected to be a top-five selection – was dangerous in attack and kicked a long-range goal from outside the 50m arc.
Rankine's turn of pace was electric, but while he was exciting in the forward half, he didn’t win enough ball when playing in the midfield and got caught out in transition at times.
Another of the standouts was Prince Alfred College midfielder Tom Sparrow, who found plenty of the ball.
Sparrow's work in close was very good, but needs to improve his spread from the contest and win more uncontested ball.
Of the contingent who are eligible for the 2019 national draft, Henley forward Jackson Mead impressed with his strong marking and penetrating kick.
Mead is the son of Port Adelaide Power's inaugural best and fairest Darren Mead.
Kysiah Pickett, the nephew of former North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Melbourne enforcer Byron Pickett, displayed his uncle's trademark attack on the ball.