Top West Australian draftee Dan Curtin stars in SANFL for Adelaide ahead of showdown against Port Adelaide

Top West Australian draftee Daniel Curtin is closing in on a Showdown debut for Adelaide after a career-best game in the SANFL on Saturday. Curtin collected a team-high 31 disposals and a goal as a rebounding defender for the Crows reserves side in a 12.12 (84) to 10.8 (68) loss to North Adelaide at Prospect Oval. Drafted with pick No.8 last year, Curtin was the first West Australian to have his name read out after a stellar 2023 season for Claremont. The 19-year-old is no stranger to senior football, having played six league games in his draft year before leading the Tigers to a colts premiership. Adelaide have been reluctant to expose the 197cm backman too early despite their injury woes in defence, but Curtin may have forced their hand with his latest performance. It has the teenager in a strong position to make his AFL debut on the big stage against Port Adelaide on Thursday night. If Curtin does get the call up he would be the fourth from last year’s WA draft class to debut early in the season. Subiaco forward Lance Collard was the first to get the call up when he played as the sub for St Kilda in round one. The mercurial forward was dropped after the clash but is pushing for a recall after booting eight goals in his past three VFL games for the Saints’ affiliate in Sandringham. Fellow Subiaco product Koltyn Tholstrup made his debut for Melbourne against Brisbane in round five, finishing with five disposals but was also sent back to the VFL after one game. Defender Riley Hardeman was the latest to make the big time, running out for North Melbourne against the Crows on Saturday down in Hobart. The Swan Districts product had 12 touches in his first appearance, having averaged nearly 15 touches in the VFL.