A STRONG defensive performance from Campbell Heath has seen the defender named the club’s SANFL Player of the Week for Round 19.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS v SOUTH ADELAIDE at Woodville Oval
 DMTHOClI50R50G.B
Heath2152-1271.0
Salter2031-65-1.1
Shaw84-1---0.1
Hitchcock#1981-4411.1
# denotes reserves player

Development coach Stuart Cochrane was impressed with Heath’s first-half, describing him as the Eagles’ new ‘quarterback’.

“It was another solid game from Cambo, he’s the star quarterback of the Eagles’ defence now,” Cochrane told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“He started great and had a 15-possession first-half, lots of rebound and used the ball very well.

“The Eagles look to use him all the time and his opponents had no influence on the game.”

It was perhaps no surprise that South assigned a defensive forward to Heath for the second half and Cochrane noted the change of opponent diminished his impact on the game.

“After half-time South’s sent a defensive forward to try and curb Campbell’s influence and had some success there,” said Cochrane.

“Although it meant Campbell didn’t get as much ball, at the same time he didn’t make any defensive errors.”

Nick Salter could find himself playing on-ball more often after leading the clearances for the Eagles.

“It was a good game from Salts on Saturday; he looks better as a high half-forward and with his stints on-ball,” said Cochrane.

“He ended up with six clearances for the day – the most for the Eagles – and around the ball at stoppages he’s using it really well.”

Despite a promising first quarter, young forward Mason Shaw failed to have a consistent impact for the Panthers.

It's his main area of focus, according to Cochrane.

“Mason started really well and was taking really clean marks,” he said.

“He was working high up the ground and back inside 50, but after quarter time he fell away a bit.

“He just needs to work on his consistency across the whole game.”

Small forward Cameron Hitchcock played for South Adelaide’s reserves under the SANFL’s ‘guest player’ rule with his aligned club Glenelg having the bye.

He had several good, running efforts and a skill quality above that of a reserves player, but Cochrane was searching for a dominant effort from Hitchcock at the local league’s second tier.

“There were a few good runs and handball receives with run and carry,” said Cochrane.

“His quality was better than anyone else on the ground but he only managed 18 possessions at reserves grade.”

STURT v NORTH ADELAIDE at Envestra Park
 DMTHOCI50R50G.B
D. Stewart841-11-3.1


Sturt was the surprise victor over the higher-placed Roosters at Envestra Park on Saturday afternoon.

Nathan Blee’s promotion into Port Adelaide's AFL team meant only Daniel Stewart suited up for the Roosters.

Football development manager Daniel Healy was pleased with Stewart’s lead-up work which helped him kick three goals.

“Snowy was better than last week,” Healy told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“He presented well early and was missed on lead up a few times, but went on to snag three goals.”

PORT ADELAIDE v CENTRAL DISTRICT at Alberton Oval
 DMTHOClI50R50G.B
Young2063-6430.1
Newton1963-2621.1
Ah Chee167-12 -1.0
Neade1641-14--
Hoskin*1542-1-3-
D. Butcher*#1347-32--
* denotes rookie-listed player | # denotes reserves player

Port Adelaide’s SANFL team couldn’t match Central District for a full match at Alberton on Sunday afternoon.

Aaron Young and Ben Newton continue to work hard for the Magpies though and could be putting on pressure for AFL spots if they maintain their consistency at league level.

Daniel Healy was pleased with Young’s toughness.

“Youngy was slow to get started again and had only one touch in the first quarter but after that was really good,” said Healy.

“His toughness in close was very good, he got a bit of outside ball and created opportunities for his teammates.

“It was another solid game from him and he’s showing with his footy that he wants to put pressure on for a spot.”

Cochrane praised Newton’s work with the ball and his confident decision-making when in possession.

“Newts had some good highlights,” said Cochrane.

“He had a strong mark inside 50 running back with the flight of the ball and got a shot at goal, and another really impressive long-range ping.

“He didn’t had the same stoppage impact as he has in other recent games, but he’s looking really confident with the ball and working hard on his outside run.”

Jake Neade continues to make inroads at SANFL level playing up forward and on centre-wing.

His trademark running work was on display for the Magpies on the weekend and Healy was pleased with his effort.

“Neadey looked a lot more lively and seemed to have got his run back,” said Healy.

“The bit that’s probably not there is his tackling and scoreboard impact which he made into a bit of a trademark at AFL level.”

Brendon Ah Chee worked himself into the game with more uncontested possessions and a goal to his name.

“'Arch’ was solid and consistent, and ended up with 16 possessions,” said Healy.

"He didn’t get as much ball as clearances from stoppages, which is good in a way because it means he’s winning more uncontested possessions around the ground.

“He’s looking composed with the ball and also kicked a goal.”

Rookie-listed players Justin Hoskin and Danny Butcher both had quiet performances at league and reserves levels respectively.

portadelaidefc.com.au gives you the inside word on the form of the Power players in the SANFL every Tuesday in-season.