BEN NEWTON has been named the Port Adelaide football development team’s best player for an exceptional performance in the club’s SANFL team on the weekend.

Newton had 23 touches in the club’s Round 13 loss to Woodville-West Torrens at Alberton Oval.

It’s a big step forward for the young midfielder, who has battled injury and form throughout his early tenure at the club.

After being dropped to the Magpies’ reserves shortly after his transfer from the Bloods earlier this year, Newton has broken into the club’s SANFL league side with a fresh resolve.

His strong effort on Sunday is a just reward for hard work according to development coach Tyson Edwards.

“Newts was consistently involved throughout the game which was good,” Edwards told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“He used the ball really well and his kicking was a feature of his game.

“He’ll be really pleased with that and he had two goals and seven inside-50s as well.

“It’s a really good thing for him, he made his league debut this year and hopefully he keeps it going.”

The game saw seven other Power-listed players go head-to-head.

Newton led the rest of his AFL-listed Magpies teammates, including Aaron Young, Brett Ebert, Brendon Ah Chee, Danny and John Butcher and Justin Hoskin.

Young and Hoskin impacted through the midfield intermittently, but Edwards wants to see both increase their midfield output beyond the 20-disposal threshold.

John Butcher started well for the Magpies with three strong goals, but had less impact in the second half.

Football development manager Daniel Healy said Butcher showed encouraging signs against the Eagles.

“He started very well and had a very good first half – three goals to half time,” Healy told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“He went out of the game in the second (half) though, and certainly wasn’t the target he was in the first half.

“But there are encouraging signs: a nice pack mark and another time he got a ball on the wing and then in the goal square.”

Watch: Butch bangs home three big goals!

Danny Butcher was again strong defensively, but with fewer than ten touches to his name will need to work hard to win more of his own ball, additional to stopping his opponent from doing the same.

Brendon Ah Chee struggled to get involved in the game for the Magpies, while Brett Ebert left the ground midway through the match with an adductor injury and will be evaluated by the club's medical staff this week.

Paul Stewart lined up for the Eagles and stuck the dagger through the Magpies’ hopes with two final quarter goals.

Healy rated his effort highly.

“Paul played mainly as a high half-forward and spent some time on the wing,” said Healy.

“He had a lot of the footy, but wasn’t terribly damaging until late in the third quarter.

“He kicked two late goals and sealed the game for the Eagles.

“His work rate was excellent and his finishing skills with those late goals were as well.”

Campbell Heath performed well for the Eagles against Port’s Josh Thurgood, while Nick Salter kicked two goals for the victors.

Lewis Stevenson and Matt Thomas were the standout performers for Norwood in its victory over Central District at Elizabeth.

Healy described Stevenson’s performance as his best yet for the Redlegs.

“There was a lot of rebound from Norwood’s half-back line which is where Lewy spent most of his time,” said Healy.

“He was involved pretty regularly and used the ball well.

“He didn’t get a heap of opportunities to test his defensive stuff but it was his most AFL-like effort for them (Norwood) so far.”

Thomas was again a top contributor for the Redlegs after being omitted from the Power’s side that played Collingwood on Saturday night.

His 30 disposals and eight inside-50s were evidence of his desperation to reclaim a place in the Power line up.

“Thommo played at half-forward and was very good today,” said Healy.

“There’s a lot of space at Elizabeth and he lapped it up with thirty touches and some pretty good clearance work.”

Brent Renouf was solid again in the ruck for Norwood and Darren Pfeiffer built on his improving form with another serviceable effort for the defending premiers.

Mason Shaw made his debut for South Adelaide’s league side and had a steady game in the forward line, which included a goal late in the match.

Development coach Stuart Cochrane told portadelaidefc.com.au it was a steady start at league level for the young forward.

“Mason played OK and I think it’ll be enough for him to keep playing in the league side,” explained Cochrane.

“The only thing that was missing was his ability in the ruck.

“When he was up forward he was finding space and providing options and he kicked a goal that put South in the lead late in the game.”