We had a really young team play the Roosters - the majority of guys in the team could still play under-18s this year - and they really fought right until the end.
With the young team that we had, I came away from the game really pleased with the effort and output they showed, but we do need to tweak a few things before our next game against Norwood on Thursday afternoon.
There are a few areas we addressed at training on Monday that we know we need to improve in, but this season won’t be won or lost in Round 1.
We need to keep perspective that this was the first proper game together for these boys and they will take time to gel on the field in match conditions.
My job is to make sure that process happens sooner rather than later.
North Adelaide have been a benchmark for junior development and run a fantastic program where they’re strong in most grades, so it was a good first test for the boys to compare themselves against one of the likely leaders of the competition.
We had a young 16-year-old debut for us called Ant Prior who is a member of our Elite Football Academy and played a really good game first up, kicking two goals.
A number of young guys were really good for us and we’re hoping to see that trend continue as the year goes on.
One of those good performances was from our captain Tom Gray. He led by example in the midfield and had almost 30 touches himself.
We’ll rotate the captaincy of our Academy team this year to develop the critical leadership skills we want in our players - Tom will be one of those.
North Adelaide have been a benchmark for junior development and run a fantastic program where they’re strong in most grades, so it was a good first test for the boys to compare themselves against one of the likely leaders of the competition.
We had a young 16-year-old debut for us called Ant Prior who is a member of our Elite Football Academy and played a really good game first up, kicking two goals.
A number of young guys were really good for us and we’re hoping to see that trend continue as the year goes on.
One of those good performances was from our captain Tom Gray. He led by example in the midfield and had almost 30 touches himself.
We’ll rotate the captaincy of our Academy team this year to develop the critical leadership skills we want in our players - Tom will be one of those.
The encouraging thing is that we have quite a few leaders in this group already.
Our focus after debriefing from our Round 1A game switched immediately to our next battle against the Redlegs on Thursday.
We’ve not had a reserves-grade win at The Parade for a few years so we’ll be looking to get a good result there.
We’re focussed on going to get the two points from the game and to play the style of footy we want to play.
Our focus after debriefing from our Round 1A game switched immediately to our next battle against the Redlegs on Thursday.
We’ve not had a reserves-grade win at The Parade for a few years so we’ll be looking to get a good result there.
We’re focussed on going to get the two points from the game and to play the style of footy we want to play.
Even when we lose, we want to by playing the game our way.
It’s important for these guys who are learning in an elite environment to stick to the structures and team values we’re trying to develop in them, even when things aren’t going their way.
If we do that, then the wins will come, and they’ll come more often.
See you at the Parade,
Surj.
Port Adelaide’s Academy team will play Norwood’s reserves at The Parade from 4:30pm on Thursday afternoon.
ELITE FOOTBALL ACADEMY SCOREBOARD
Academy
PORT ADELAIDE 3.1 6.3 8.5 11.7 (73)
NORTH ADELAIDE 2.3 8.5 13.7 17.8 (110)
Goals: A. Prior, R. Young, T. Corcoran 2, K. Dixon, J. Foster, S. Gordon, D. Hamilton, J. Ross
Under-18 Macca's Cup
PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 9.5 12.12 18.17 (125)
NORTH ADELAIDE 8.4 12.5 14.9 16.10 (106)
Goals: B. Beioley, K. Jackson 5, J. Haarsma 3, J. Mills, L. Partington 2, J. Deeley-Godfrey
Under-16 Macca's Talent Shield
PORT ADELAIDE 2.0 3.4 4.4 5.8 (38)
NORTH ADELAIDE 5.2 8.5 15.9 21.15 (141)
Goals: L. Tranthim-Fryer, M. Mead, W. McPherson, B. Kennedy, M. McNamara
If we do that, then the wins will come, and they’ll come more often.
See you at the Parade,
Surj.
Port Adelaide’s Academy team will play Norwood’s reserves at The Parade from 4:30pm on Thursday afternoon.
ELITE FOOTBALL ACADEMY SCOREBOARD
Academy
PORT ADELAIDE 3.1 6.3 8.5 11.7 (73)
NORTH ADELAIDE 2.3 8.5 13.7 17.8 (110)
Goals: A. Prior, R. Young, T. Corcoran 2, K. Dixon, J. Foster, S. Gordon, D. Hamilton, J. Ross
Under-18 Macca's Cup
PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 9.5 12.12 18.17 (125)
NORTH ADELAIDE 8.4 12.5 14.9 16.10 (106)
Goals: B. Beioley, K. Jackson 5, J. Haarsma 3, J. Mills, L. Partington 2, J. Deeley-Godfrey
Under-16 Macca's Talent Shield
PORT ADELAIDE 2.0 3.4 4.4 5.8 (38)
NORTH ADELAIDE 5.2 8.5 15.9 21.15 (141)
Goals: L. Tranthim-Fryer, M. Mead, W. McPherson, B. Kennedy, M. McNamara
