THE Central Australian Redtails came from behind to defeat a mixed Port Adelaide Academy-League team at Alberton on Sunday.
In hot conditions, the Redtails reeled in a 30-point deficit at half time to prevail by three points in a tight finish at Alberton.
The Redtails are a representative side comprised of the best players from the Central Australian Football League clubs around Alice Springs.
In contrast, Port played a 32-man squad with just two of its league-contracted players in the mix under the watch of coach Mark Clayton.
Clayton said it was a deliberate decision to test as many of the club’s Academy players – which included several new recruits – in the heat of a game.
“We were five goals up at half time, then took probably eight of our best 21 Academy players out to give some of our new guys a try,” Clayton said.
“Most guys who played in the internal trial game last week didn’t play either, but we went into the game with that as the plan – the second half layed out pretty much as I thought it would.
“I’m always disappointed to lose, but we did want to use this game as a trial for the new blokes to see how they cope.”
While some players rose to the challenge of the Redtails’ comeback, it was a significant challenge for others.
“We came out early and played all right and played the way we wanted to play, but with less experience at half time we dropped with our structure and leadership, so that really tested some of the players," Clayton said.
“It’s a learning thing for those guys, many who will realise they’re not where they need to be at this point in time, and that means learning the structures a lot better - in the heat of the game you need to be extra aware and focussed because it’s very different to training.”
Port Adelaide’s AFL and SANFL strategies were almost carbon copies this weekend – with inexperienced line-ups selected to take on more mature opposition.
That will change next weekend with the influx of more experience to both the Power and Magpies teams on Saturday.
It will allow Clayton to select a side that will be similar to the one chose for the Academy’s first minor round game.
“Today’s game will help to pick the side for next week – we’ll be playing Tea Tree Gully at Alberton on Friday night and so we’ll need a team to reflect the bigger challenge of a top line amateur club,” Clayton said.
“After that we have one more trial game against West’s reserves and an intraclub before the start of the season, so we do have a few opportunities to get things right before Round 1.”
Port Adelaide’ Academy hosts Tea Tree Gully at Alberton Oval on Friday 26 February.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE ACADEMY/LEAGUE 5.1 9.3 11.5 12.7 (79)
CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN REDTAILS 2.3 4.3 7.3 13.3 (81)
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