THERE is a genuine competition for places in Port Adelaide’s starting 22 after a number of players put in strong performances at SANFL league level last weekend.

Tom Logan, Matt Thomas, Robbie Gray, Dom Cassisi, John Butcher, Sam Colquhoun and Cam Hitchcock were all impressive in their games.

Rugged defender Tom Logan was the best of the lot with a standout performance for Glenelg at Alberton Oval.

Logan had 29 touches and kicked three goals in the Tigers side that lost to Port Adelaide’s SANFL team on Saturday afternoon.

Visit portadelaidefc.com.au tomorrow to see highlights from Logan’s performance.

Development coach Stuart Cochrane told portadelaidefc.com.au Logan’s third good performance in as many weeks was critical in Glenelg’s ability to fight for the lead on the day.

“It was a great game from Tommy: three goals, heaps of possessions and a few good clearances,” said Cochrane.

“The possessions he got in congestion were done using his typical grunt and overall most of his possessions were won through continual hard running into space."

The same game saw a number of other solid performances from key Power players.

John Butcher, playing for the Magpies, had a poor return in front of goals - scoring three behinds - but Cochrane was pleased with his work ethic around the ground.

“Johnny had a couple of left foot kicks and some good contested marks while battling hard with Tapp from Glenelg who’s a big unit,” explained Cochrane.

“Some of the marks he took were really good - he looks like he’s just a step away from really ripping a game apart.”

Aaron Young, Danny Butcher, Ben Newton and Justin Hoskin also played for the Magpies.

Cochrane and fellow development coach Tyson Edwards observed the match and were pleased with the performances of those players, particularly Newton and Young.

Newton played mainly on the wing but Edwards said his work rate was significant, while Young had a “solid” debut in the black and white jumper after being recently transferred from North.

“I’d like to see him (Newton) more involved in contests and stoppages, unfortunately he wasn’t used often in the Magpies’ forward movements,” Edwards told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“I quite liked the things he did though so hopefully he gets used a bit more in those linkages.

“Youngy played his first game for the Magpies and was solid, without being brilliant.

“While his impact wasn’t huge, he didn’t make any errors with the ball which is always a good base to work from.”

Rookie Danny Butcher continued his solid form by keeping Crows-listed Jarryd Lyons quiet in the final term as well as winning more of his own ball.

Fellow rookie Hoskin was again lively, but Power teammates Logan and Cameron Hitchcock were able to beat him in a few contests.

Hitchcock spent significant time through the midfield and returned to his benchmark form with a four-goal contribution after a few quiet weeks.

He endured a knock to the nose and left the ground late in the term after starting the game well, but returned to contribute for the Tigers throughout the day.

Tom Clurey was also solid for Glenelg in his first SANFL league game.

“He (Clurey) played in the league for the first time and I was pretty impressed with him compared to his past few weeks in the twos,” said Cochrane.

“He’s looked a bit indecisive in those weeks but this game he looked really comfortable across half back - he was composed and spread hard to help the Bays rebound.

“There’s a bit of work to do with the way he leads for the ball, but on the whole it was a pretty good game for him.”

Cochrane also saw the Bloods demolish the Panthers at Noarlunga Oval on Friday night with Dom Cassisi and Robbie Gray again impressive with performances that will ensure their names are talked about at selection on Thursday afternoon.

“Dom worked really hard and looked like a desperate man,” said Cochrane.

“He had a ruthless – sometimes reckless - attack on the ball and the man and there was no doubt he was hard at the disputed ball all night.”

Gray played mostly up forward with a few short stints in the midfield.

“He flew for a couple of marks, showed his trademark agility and kicked 3.1 – it was vintage Gray,” said Cochrane.

Vying with Cassisi and Gray for selection will be a number of others who also performed strongly.

Matt Thomas had 34 disposals for Norwood against Central District, while Sam Colquhoun picked up from where he left off a fortnight ago for the Bulldogs.

Development Manager Daniel Healy told portadelaidefc.com.au both players were crucial for their respective teams.

“Thomas used the ball pretty well and was very good again,” said Healy.

“He was pivotal to Norwood’s success and continues to put pressure on for a spot in the AFL side.

“We were pretty happy with Sammy Colquhoun as well - he was an important part of the Doggies’ ball movement and his ability to shut down opportunities for the Redlegs and work out when he should push up and down the ground to help out his team was again on show.”

Rookie-listed Darren Pfeiffer left the ground at the end of the first quarter during that game, but returned ten minutes into the second term and accumulated 17 possessions.

Over at North Adelaide both Nathan Blee and Daniel Stewart had solid games for the Roosters with Blee playing off the wing and getting involved in several ‘chain’ movements, while Stewart kicked two goals after a strong performance up forward.

In the reserves Brendon Ah Chee played through the midfield for Port and had 16 possessions from just three quarters on return from a knee injury.

He played in spurts however and will look to play consistent throughout the game as he reaches full fitness.

Mason Shaw also kicked three goals for South Adelaide’s reserves, but still seems a little way from a league debut after struggling to impose himself for the Panthers up forward during the game.

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 – League Round 3

Aaron Young (Port Adelaide): 16 disposals, 3 marks, 2 frees for, 1 clearance, 1 hitout, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s
Justin Hoskin (PA): 14 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 1 frees for, 1 inside 50, 6 rebound 50s
Danny Butcher (PA): 12 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 0.1
John Butcher (PA): 12 disposals, 8 marks, 1 tackle, 2 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 0.3
Ben Newton (PA): 11 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 2 hitouts, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50s
Tom Logan (Glenelg): 29 disposals, 12 marks, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s 2 rebound 50s, 3.1
Cameron Hitchcock (G): 18 disposals, 7 marks, 1 tackle, 3 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 4.3
Tom Clurey (G): 15 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s
Dominic Cassisi (West): 21 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s
Robbie Gray (WA): 11 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 rebound 50, 3.1
Nathan Blee (North Adelaide): 28 disposals, 8 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s
Daniel Stewart (NA): 13 disposals, 10 marks, 6 hitouts, 4 inside 50s, 2.2
Sam Colquhoun (Central Districts): 22 disposals, 10 marks, 1 tackle, 4 rebound 50s
Matt Thomas (Norwood): 34 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 0.1
Darren Pfeiffer (N): 17 disposals, 5 marks, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

SANFL Player stats breakdown – Reserves Round 3

Brendon Ah Chee (Port Adelaide Reserves) : 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1.0
Mason Shaw (South Adelaide Reserves): 8 disposals, 4 marks, 2 inside 50s, 3.0