Matt Thomas made an emphatic return to football in the weekend’s SANFL trial games, earning plenty of praise from Power development coach Darren Trevena.

Thomas lined up for Norwood’s league side on Saturday against the Eagles. It was the first time he had played since losing 15kgs in the off-season with an infected appendix that required major surgery.

Thomas, the Power’s best first year player in 2006, wasted no time in re-establishing his tough reputation, getting involved in plenty of physical footy.

“It was a fantastic result for Matt given where he had to come from and where he has ended up,” Trevena told us at PortAdelaideFC.com.au

“Matt was tough and hard at the ball and collected heaps of possessions and turned the game in the third quarter to get his team back into it.”

Hugh Minson also played in the Norwood v Eagles match and was another returning from injury. Minson was good in the centre bounces, produced good second and third efforts, and tackled well.

“If he can continue this form he’ll be pressing for permanent league selection in the SANFL,” Trevena said.

Nick Lower was the third Power player to line up for the Redlegs. He played on ball and accumulated a number of touches while playing a tough and desperate style of footy.

On the other side of the ledger in the same match, Paul Stewart lined up for the Eagles. Last week Paul set a bench mark for himself playing a cracking trial match. While this performance was solid at both half forward and half back, it didn’t reach the heights of his last start and Trevena said “that is something he needs to strive for”.

Also lining up in Eagles colours was rookie list player Nathan Batsanis. Nathan played in the reserves and had 14 touches. Trevena said he is “working on being accountable”.

Here’s what Trevena had to say about the rest of the Power youngsters who played in the SANFL while the AFL had the weekend off.

Justin Westhoff (Central) - “He did a good job and is still learning and developing. He provided good movement at both centre half forward and full forward.”

Jonathan Giles (Central) - “Crashed into the centre bounces and held the ball up well. He looks like he is moving towards the number one ruck position at Centrals.”

Ryan Williams (Central) - “Solid off the half back and wing. He moved up the ground really well.”

Alipate Carlile (South) - “He went close to playing a full four quarters of good football. He did well to only concede one goal.”

Fabian Deluca (Sturt) - “It’s good to see him get some game conditioning (after a hand injury).”

Alex Lee (Sturt) - “Got a late call up to the league team and played well. He was tight in defence and had his man moved off him.”

Peter Hardy (Sturt) - “He played a very good game. Peter was clean in the way he gathered and used the ball and ran well from defence.”

Ryan Willits (Glenelg) - “Ryan took some strong leading marks and a couple of good contested marks as well. He also did some good ruck work in the forward line.”

Gavin Grose (North) - “He struggled early but found his way into the match. He improved as the game went on which was good to see him do.”

Darren Trevena will be casting a keen eye across all the Power players in the SANFL throughout the season so for the latest on their development be sure to keep coming back to PortAdelaideFC.com.au