The country’s most talented draft-age boys footballers displayed their class in an entertaining clash with Port Adelaide’s SANFL team at Adelaide Hills on Saturday.

Representing Australia, the Academy side fought back from a slow start to fall to a fighting 10.10 (70) to 8.9 (57) defeat in a match played under the watchful eye of many AFL recruiters.

Harley Reid was Australia’s leading possession winner, finishing with 22 touches, seven clearances, five inside-50s and a goal in an eye-catching performance.

Other to impress were Colby McKercher (15 disposals, four tackles), Jake Rogers (12 disposals, one goal), Ryley Sanders (20 disposals, six tackles), Nick Watson (18 disposals, four rebound-50s) and Darcy Wilson (19 disposals, three inside-50s).

Caiden Cleary’s 11 tackles were four more than any other player on the ground, while George Stevens displayed strong leadership after being appointed captain for the game.

With a full complement of 30 players selected, Australia coach Tarkyn Lockyer set up rotations to give players exposure in different parts of the ground over the course of the game.

Port Adelaide’s side featured several AFL regulars, including Tom Clurey, Mitch Georgiades and Lachie Jones.

Rain at the beginning of the game made for slippery early conditions, with Port adapting better to kick three of the opening four goals, all via Ollie Lord.

Port’s 12-point buffer at quarter time was extended early in the second term when Lord booted his fourth major, before goals to Australia’s Jed Walter and Reid in the space of four minutes cut the difference to six points at the main break.

Port Adelaide looked set to break the game wide open early in the third quarter when it slammed on three goals in quick succession to open a game-high 24-point advantage, however the young Australia side showed great determination to work their way back into the contest.

They booted the next four goals, with the last from Rogers at the nine-minute mark of the final term cutting the difference to just three points.

Port’s experience came to the fore in the final tern minutes and the Tyson Goldsack-led side was able to steady with three of the last four goals to secure a 13-point triumph.

The match was played as a curtain-closer to the Round 5 AFL game between the Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne at Mount Barker’s Summit Sport and Recreation Park and was a feature of the AFL Academy Boys’ four-day camp in South Australia during the AFL’s Gather Round - A Festival of Footy.

The AFL Academy Boys will come together in Melbourne next month for their third camp of the 2023 program, which will include a match against Carlton’s VFL side at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, May 13.

The AFL Academy Girls are currently in Melbourne for their second camp of the year. They will play a match in June, with further details to be confirmed shortly.

Australia (AFL Academy Boys) 1.1, 3.4, 6.5, 8.9 (57)
Port Adelaide (SANFL) 3.1, 4.4, 7.6, 10.10 (70)

Goals: Nate Caddy, Jack Callinan, Zane Duursma, Kane McAuliffe, Harley Reid, Jake Rogers, Jed Walter, Nick Watson

Best (alphabetical order): Colby McKercher, Harley Reid, Jake Rogers, Ryley Sanders, Nick Watson, Darcy Wilson

2023 AFL Academy squad