Young played for the North Adelaide reserves against Central District and accumulated over 40 possessions in a performance described by Port Adelaide football development manager Daniel Healy as “pretty easy.”
He was named as an emergency for the Power in Round 1 and wasn’t selected in the club's Round 2 squad, but was surprisingly played by North Adelaide in its second tier side.
“He (Young) did it pretty easy, never really got out of second gear and got 41 possessions and three goals just trotting around,” Healy explained to portadelaidefc.com.au.
“He was way, way too good for that level and all I think he could do is go out there with a good attitude and basically do what he ended up doing.”
As a result of being demoted to the reserves at the weekend, Young has been transferred to Port Adelaide’s SANFL side.
Andrew Moore, Daniel Stewart and Nathan Blee all played in the Roosters’ league team.
While Stewart picked up four goals and Blee one for the Roosters, it was Moore who was most impressive.
“Moorey played on-ball, wing and half forward and his clearance work was excellent,” said Healy.
“He looked really strong and tough inside, but we’d like to see to see some of his spread and uncontested outside work improve.
“Blee had a pretty solid night, kicked a goal and a few passages of run-and-carry.
“Stewart wasn’t dominant in the air, but was able to move well and present some options up forward with North’s good ball movement - he kicked four goals which was positive for him.”
Port Adelaide’s SANFL side played against Sturt at Norwood Oval on Friday night.
In an exciting finish the Magpies went down by a solitary goal after John Butcher contributed five majors in the final 32 minutes of game time.
Healy was pleased particularly with the progress of Ben Newton playing in just his third game of league football.
“It was a step up for Newts and I reckon his graph is going in the right direction,” Healy said.
“Remembering it was only his third league game, he was really clean below his knees and generally he kicked the ball much better than he has been and we actually saw some class with the footy.
“He’s looking more like the player we thought we recruited and as he goes on we’ll hopefully see some of the pace we know he can produce – so very encouraging signs.”
Danny and John Butcher were both named in Port Adelaide’s best along with Newton.
Danny, continued to impress in his defensive tagging role and kept Crows-listed Aidan Riley quiet all night.
John booted five goals for the Pies but Healy wants to see more improvement before he is considered for AFL selection.
“He ended up kicking five goals, but we still see a scope for more improvement – we’d probably like five goals spread throughout a match than contained all in that final term,” he said.
Stuart Cochrane observed defenders Justin Hoskin (Port Adelaide) and Jack Hombsch (Sturt).
Although Hombsch had a quiet week by his previously good standards with Sturt dominating the game early, Hoskin continued to make strides in achieving the expectations the football department has of him.
“Justin again showed a bit of rebound from half-back and while he didn't have a super impact, he has obviously taken on the messages we’ve been giving him about the importance of his defensive game and he seems pretty switched on now,” Cochrane told portadelaidefc.com.au.
Dom Cassisi is pressing for selection in Port Adelaide’s AFL side after an excellent performance for West.
Development coach Tyson Edwards saw Cassisi and forward Robbie Gray play in the match between the Bloods and Eagles and is encouraged by the performances of their pair.
“Dom is looking really good and ready to be picked; he looked his usual self playing at half back,” Edwards told portadelaidefc.com.au
“He got involved, dropped off opponents and won the ball at the right times and moved really well – 24 possessions and 6 tackles – he’s ready to go.”
Gray took time to get involved in the match but Edwards was nevertheless impressed by the livewire forward’s ability to help his teammates and step up when the Bloods took control of the game.
“His (Gray’s) first half wasn’t amazing playing mainly deep forward," said Edwards.
“In the first half he looked like he was doing more the ‘team’ thing and helped others get involved in the game.
“But the Bloods really dominated in the last two quarters and with increased supply up forward, Robbie didn’t get beaten and really got involved with the contested ball.”
Norwood took on Glenelg at the Bay with a number of Power-listed players lining up for each side.
Brent Renouf was imposing with a high standard of ruck work.
Matthew Bishop was at the match and said it was Renouf’s most impressive performance since returning from injury.
“His ruck work was very good, easily winning the hit outs and putting it to advantage for his teammates,” Bishop told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“He moved O.K. around the ground and was able to get his hands on the footy and he topped it off with a great pack mark and kicking a goal from the boundary late in the game.”
Tom Logan continued to play well for the Tigers, while Matt Thomas and Darren Pfeiffer had solid games for the Redlegs.
But both Cameron Hitchcock (Glenelg league) and Tom Clurey (reserves) had quiet matches with minor involvements.
Hitchcock endured a knock to his hip during the match and appeared to move less freely as a result, while Clurey made the most of limited opportunities.
Portadelaidefc.com.au is the only place to catch up on the form of all Port Adelaide’s players in the SANFL – check back each Tuesday in-season for the latest reports from the Power’s development team.
SANFL player stats breakdown – Round 2
Ben Newton (Port Adelaide): 17 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1.0
John Butcher (PA): 16 disposals, 10 marks, 2 inside 50s, 5.2
Justin Hoskin (PA): 15 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 0.1
Danny Butcher (PA): 9 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 inside 50
Jack Hombsch (Sturt): 5 disposals, 1 mark, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50
Matt Thomas (Norwood): 20 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 8 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1.0
Darren Pfeiffer (N): 19 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 0.2
Brent Renouf (N): 17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 40 hit outs, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1.0
Tom Logan (Glenelg): 21 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Cameron Hitchcock (G): 6 disposals, 2 marks, 1.2
Dom Cassisi (West Adelaide): 24 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s, 0.1
Robbie Gray (WA): 16 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 2.1
Nathan Blee (North Adelaide): 20 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1.0
Daniel Stewart (NA): 10 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 8 hit outs, 1 inside 50, 4.1
Aaron Young (North reserves):
Tom Clurey (Glenelg reserves): 11 disposals, 1 mark, 4 rebound 50s
