Riley Grundy flies for a mark during a rare stint in Port Adelaide's forward line.

PORT ADELAIDE’s non AFL-selected players got a good work out on Saturday in a trial match against Adelaide at Alberton Oval.

Under overcast skies, there were some impressive performances against an experienced Crows line up and more importantly players who needed some solid match practice got some.

There were some highlights in the 16-per-side game – Boyd Woodcock roving off the pack to run into an open goal in the first quarter, a long goal by Trent Burgoyne in the second quarter, Riley Grundy taking some marks playing in an unfamiliar forward role and Mitch Georgiades showing some speed to outpace an opponent who had a head start to claim a loose ball and run into an open goal.

Port Adelaide Development and SANFL coach Matthew Lokan coached the side and said it was good to get a hit-out into some players who needed it.

“The guys that haven’t been playing in the AFL side haven’t had much opportunity to get some match simulation into them so to be able to play against an opposition was really important for them and to make sure they’re ready if and when they’re called upon to play AFL footy,” he said.

Sam Hayes contests a centre bounce during Port Adelaide's scratch match with the Crows on Saturday afternoon.

“There were a number of guys I thought played well. I thought Tobin Cox and Boyd Woodcock had some midfield minutes today and both showed they’d added that string to their bow. I thought Jake Pasini was really good in the backline along with Jarrod Lienert, and Wylie Buzza and Mitch Georgiades were good focal points in the forward line.

“I thought we had a really good spread and a really good balance across the whole ground.”

Watched on by those selected to play AFL this weekend for both sides, Adelaide probably won on the day, although scores weren’t kept.

“Adelaide probably had a lot more experience in their team than what we did so the pleasing thing was that our younger players got the opportunity to play against some experienced Crows players,” Lokan said.

“They had Bryce Gibbs playing for them, Riley Knight and Rory Atkins, even Ben Crocker, so for our guys to have that game experience playing against those experienced players from Adelaide was invaluable.”