Benalla’s Joe Berry was among Port Adelaide’s best in the preseason game against West Coast on Sunday, drawing praise from two-time premiership Kangaroo David King. Photo:AAP Image/Matt Turner.
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Matt Turner
With the practice matches done and dusted, the first round of the AFL is upon us this week, and there is plenty to keep abreast of in terms of local products.
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A pair of Benalla talents showed their wares last week as part of the AFL’s Community Series, with Port Adelaide’s Joe Berry and Hawthorn’s Harry Morrison doing their best to impress their respective coaches as they eye a spot in the best 23.
It was Berry in particular that impressed for the Power in their outing on Sunday evening against West Coast Eagles at Mineral Resources Park in Perth, helping his side storm to a dominant 22.8 (140) to 9.13 (67) victory.
Entering his second year in the AFL system, the 2024 first round pick had raised eyebrows at Alberton Oval during preseason, comfortably among the best performers in Port’s longest match simulation with three goals and an assist.
He proved it was no fluke in the more competitive Community Series outing against the Eagles, too, looking at home as the Power produced a relentless, high-paced, attacking brand of pressure football, drawing praise from a former great as he finished the evening among Port Adelaide’s best.
While the usual suspects of Zak Butters and Connor Rozee racked up big numbers in the middle, Berry gathered a seemingly modest 12 possessions; however, he made them count, kicking one goal and totalling five score involvements from his touches, having a much larger impact on the game than the bare statistics would suggest.
Berry’s showing earned a nod of approval from two-time North Melbourne premiership star David King, who sang the praises of the 19-year-old on commentary for Fox Footy.
“I think Berry’s game has been a little bit undersold with the stars doing what they’ve done in the middle,” King said.
“There’s a lot to like about what he’s done with his (12 disposals), (he’s had) five score involvements today.”
The game featured a number of Goulburn Valley exports, with Berry’s Port Adelaide teammate and Shepparton Bears product Jack Whitlock doing his chances of a round one berth no harm, booting 2.1 from his 11 disposals, clunking three contested marks in the process, while the Eagles featured GV talents Harley Reid (Tongala), Jobe Shanahan (Moama) and Tom Cole (Seymour), with Reid’s 22 disposals the most for West Coast.
Port Adelaide won’t feature during opening round this week, with the South Australian side set to open its season against North Melbourne on Sunday, March 15, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, while West Coast will play its first game on the same date, taking on Gold Coast at People First Stadium on the Gold Coast.
Harry Morrison lined up on the wing for Hawthorn against the Western Bulldogs, racking up 11 disposals in the preseason contest. Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett.
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JOEL CARRETT
Morrison, meanwhile, was in action on Friday night for Hawthorn against the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval in Footscray, with the Hawks suffering an 11.7 (73) to 18.9 (117) defeat.
The outing marked Morrison’s first competitive contest since round 21 last season following a troublesome quad injury that ended his year prematurely.
Named on the wing, the Benalla export had 11 disposals, five marks and two clearances from 60 per cent game time as he looks to return to the AFL side for the opening round contest against GWS Giants this Saturday, March 7.
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