Under 18 Championships Preview: South Australia

SOUTH AUSTRALIA enters the National Under 18s Championships lacking the star power that both the Victorian sides have. In saying that – they do appear to be a well balanced unit with a large number of prospects who look likely to feature throughout the middle stages of the draft.
SA have a number of excellent ball users, particularly off half-back, grunt in the midfield and some tall timber who are capable of fulfilling key position spots at either end of the ground. This squad is versatile and we can expect to see a number of players being used in a variety of roles. Sturt big man Callum Coleman-Jones will lead the side with Darcy Fogarty and Andrew McPherson named as joint deputies. However. McPherson will miss the opening two games of the Under 18 Championships with a quad injury.
With five level two AFL Academy players in the squad, along with seven level one prospects, perhaps next year will be more fruitful in terms of star talent, but don’t go ruling them out in 2017. Although Vic Metro looked primed to go back-to-back, I think South Australia can realistically mount a push. The battle with Vic Country on July 5th could prove particularly instrumental.
 
Players to watch:
 
Darcy Fogarty – Undoubtedly South Australia’s best draft prospect and he is well in truly in the mix for the number one selection. Despite not starring, Fogarty has been a regular fixture in Glenelg’s senior side and posses the unique ability to be able to cover any position on the field apart from the ruck. He slotted in at half-back in an SA trial match earlier in the season but has also shown serious promise up forward and as an inside midfielder. At 192cm, he could become a third tall forward at AFL level, but I expect him to feature in the guts in the Champs.
Alex Martini – Fogarty’s teammate at Glenelg has also proven himself in the SANFL  League side, having played predominately off half-back. Martini captained Sacred Heart College last year and his on-field leadership will be crucial – He may spend more time in the midfield with the half-back line looking impressive for SA.
Jackson Edwards – The son of Tyson Edwards is a father-son prospect for the Crows and although he is yet to break into the Glenelg league side, he has been solid so far in the Reserves. He has a touch of class about him, much like his father, and will be a vital cog in the on-ball brigade.
Nathan Kreuger – Kreuger has potential to burn and at 194cm – he is one who can hold down a key position at either end and at times has even been deployed as a big-bodied midfielder. Athletic with neat foot skills, I can see Kreuger pushing higher up rankings with a strong National Championships. However he has been left out in Round one and will have to fight to break into their team for their remaining fixtures.
Callum Coleman-Jones – The Key Forward/Ruckman will be eager to assert his authority on the champs. Despite requiring some work on his endurance, Coleman-Jones is a great contested-mark and an imposing figure both in the ruck and when sent forward. Looking forward to his duel with top five candidate Sam Hayes when SA clash with Vic Metro at Etihad Stadium but would prefer to see him at full-forward.
2018 names to keep an eye on:
Jack Lukosius – Lukosius could well be the number one draft pick in 2018. The Woodville-West Torrens star is already lighting it up in the SANFL ranks. Yet another South Australian with the ability to play at either end, Lukosius has excellent mobility for a guy of 193cm and the foot skills of a midfielder.
Izak Rankine –  Rankine has as much talent as any 17 year-old in the country and will strut his stuff up forward and on the wing for South Australia. Possesses good agility and has X-Factor.
Connor Rozee – Won the Kevin Sheehan medal as the best player in the Under 16 carnival and is a classy midfielder on both the inside and outside. Vision is very good in traffic and is a clean user by both hand and foot.

FIXTURES

Round 1: v WESTERN AUSTRALIA – June 10th 12.30pm Domain Stadium
Round 2: v ALLIES – June 17th 10.10am Adelaide Oval (FOX FOOTY)
Round 3: BYE
Round 4: v VIC METRO – June 30th 4.40pm Etihad Stadium (FOX FOOTY)
Round 5: v VIC COUNTRY – July 5th 4.40pm Simonds Stadium (FOX FOOTY)

Round One team:

B: Lachlan Pascoe, Harrison Petty, Brad McCarthy
HB: Isaac Hewson, Thomas Schmusch, Mitchell Coles
C: Izak Rankine, Darcy Fogarty, Charlie Ballard
HF: Jordan Houlahan, Jack Lukosius, Jackson Edwards
F: James Rowe, Callum Coleman-Jones, Sam Davis

FOLL: Ruben Flinn, Alex Martini, Mitch Crowden
INT: Jakob Heitmann, Stefan Giro, Jackson Hately, Connor Rozee, Jake Weidemann, Brodie Carroll, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Two to be omitted)

Predictions:

Finishing prediction: 2nd – I doubt South Australia will have the star power to overcome Vic Metro, but wins over Western Australia and the Allies are expected, and if they can account for Vic Country they will be in good shape for a crack at their first title since 2014.

MVP prediction: Darcy Fogarty – There are a number of ‘ready made’ talents in the South Australia squad who have already experienced SANFL Macca’s League football, but Fogarty is at this stage the only out-and-out star in my eyes. He is a real talent with that modern day frame and provides a presence wherever deployed. No doubt he will have learnt from playing against men for the ‘bays’ and will surly be up there on draft night come November. Can push forward and hit the scoreboard.

2017 SOUTH AUSTRALIA SQUAD

No. Name
DOB
HT (cm)
WT (kg)
Club
1 Alex Stidiford 05-Apr-99 169 70 West Adelaide / Immanuel College
2 Izak Rankine 23-Apr-00 178 74 West Adelaide / Henley High
3 James Rowe 19-Sep-99 172 70 Woodville West Torrens / Sacred Heart College
4 Cooper Gaffney 07-Jan-99 179 74 Woodville West Torrens
5 Stefan Giro 10-Mar-99 175 72 Norwood
6 Connor Rozee 22-Jan-00 184 72 North Adelaide / Cedar College
7 Robert Irra 20-Oct-99 175 73 South Adelaide
8 Jacob Coles 14-Jul-99 179 70 Norwood / Banksia Park High
10 Luke Valente 08-May-00 186 79 Norwood / Rostrevor College
11 Tobin Cox 15-Jul-99 179 82 Glenelg / Henley High
12 Alex Martini 30-Mar-99 181 78 Glenelg
13 Jackson Edwards 11-Oct-99 185 77 Glenelg / Henley High
14 Isaac Hewson 02-Apr-99 182 79 Norwood
15 Jordan Houlahan 19-Feb-99 185 78 Sturt
16 Mitch Crowden 28-Apr-99 175 88 Sturt
17 Brad McCarthy 27-Feb-99 177 83 Glenelg
18 Brodie Carroll 26-Nov-99 186 71 Norwood / St Pauls College
19 Cole Gerloff 02-Aug-99 184 83 Norwood / Prince Alfred College
20 Jackson Hately 21-Oct-00 189 79 Central District / Trinity College
21 Andrew McPherson 20-Jun-99 186 78 Woodville West Torrens
22 Jake Weidemann 16-Mar-99 190 80 Woodville West Torrens / Henley High
23 Jordy Aitchison 25-Feb-99 185 85 Sturt
24 Brandon Zerk-Thatcher 25-Aug-98 195 77 Sturt
25 Lochie Charlton 19-Oct-99 192 84 Norwood / Prince Alfred
26 Josh Smithson 04-May-99 185 84 West Adelaide
27 Liam Denton 22-Jan-99 185 78 Glenelg
28 Jakob Heitmann 31-Oct-99 188 86 West Adelaide / Cabra
29 Isaac Moller 02-Mar-99 190 77 Woodville West Torrens
30 Cameron Buchanan 20-Sep-99 188 82 Glenelg / Henley High
31 Mitchell Coles 15-Jan-98 191 79 Norwood
32 Thomas Schmusch 05-Mar-99 192 81 Woodville West Torrens
33 Hugo Barry 28-Jun-99 191 83 North Adelaide / Prince Alfred College
34 Sam Davis 05-Sep-99 193 88 Glenelg / Immanuel College
35 Ryan Falkenberg 29-Apr-99 196 79 Central District
36 Jack Lukosius 09-Aug-00 194 82 Woodville West Torrens / Henley High
37 Charlie Ballard 23-Jul-99 195 81 Sturt / Sacred Heart College
38 Harrison Petty 12-Nov-99 194 81 Norwood / Rostrevor College
39 Cameron Ball 27-Jul-99 194 82 Norwood / Rostrevor College
40 Darcy Fogarty 25-Sep-99 192 92 Glenelg / Rostrevor College
41 Nathan Kreuger 25-Jun-99 196 86 South Adelaide
42 Hugo Munn 03-Apr-00 196 92 Sturt / Mercedes College
43 James Siviour 09-Mar-99 195 89 Norwood
44 Lachlan Pascoe 02-Jun-99 190 97 Norwood / Tyndale Christian School
45 Bryce Denham 17-Jan-99 194 89 North Adelaide
46 Ruben Flinn 09-May-00 200 103 Glenelg / Brighton
47 Simon Furnell 03-Jun-99 197 97 Central District / Nuriootpa High
48 Ben Oborn 30-Oct-99 199 93 North Adelaide / Endeavour College
49 Callum Coleman-Jones 13-Jun-99 201 98 Sturt / Scotch
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments