by Big Phil » Thu Aug 09, 2012 12:17 pm
Here is a look at a few players from each club I had when I wrote a feature article for FOOT-e TIMES SA a few weeks back:
CENTRAL DISTRICT:
Despite missing a lot of football so far this year due to injury, expect young star Troy Menzel to have his name read out early at the draft this year. Menzel has a silky left foot kick and freakish abilities that has already seen him play a few games at League level for the Bulldogs.
Talented defender / midfielder Sam Colquhoun had a fantastic State Under 18 carnival, earning All Australian selection and is considered a very good chance to be drafted also. Sam has been playing well in the reserves and regularly racks up possessions, generally using the ball well.
In his first season of League football, 20 year old Paul Marschall has been a standout in the Doggies defence and with his beautiful disposal by foot, will be closely looked at by AFL clubs. Marschall also leads the League in Rebound 50’s and takes the kick outs for the Dogs.
GLENELG:
Having already played League football over the last two seasons, 18 year old Ben Kennedy should find his way onto an AFL list for sure. Spending time in the midfield, Kennedy has good speed, is very dangerous around goals and made All Australian selection at the National Championships
After a solid performance with the State Under 18’s, lightly framed ruckman / key position player Tim O’Brien can take a nice grab and finishes off in front of goal. The big red-headed lad has played some reserves football for the Tigers this year and certainly has a lot of potential.
Talented forward Brodie Murdoch also had a good National carnival, earning all Australian selection, and is capable of kicking a big haul when on song. A dangerous player around goals with good skills, Murdoch will be closely looked at by AFL clubs for certain.
NORTH ADELAIDE:
Already exposed to League football with the Roosters, Sam Mayes is a medium size forward that has represented SA for the last 2 years in the National Under 18 carnival. Dangerous around goals, Mayes was an All Australian last year and should develop nicely into an AFL footballer.
Strongly built midfielder Nick Amato also played a couple of games for SA this year at Under 18 level and has already been exposed to League football with North Adelaide. Amato would also be a pretty chance to find himself on an AFL list at the end of the year.
Roosters recruit Daniel Currie arrived at the club after an unsuccessful stint with the Sydney Swans. After taking a few weeks to find his feet, the athletic ruckman has had some impressive games and can pinch hit in the forward line as well. A possibility to find himself back on an AFL list again.
NORWOOD:
The Redlegs have one of the most wanted young man in the land on their list at the moment with youngster James Aish. The defender / midfielder is not looking out of place at League level and will no doubt find his way onto an AFL list in season 2014, when eligible to be drafted.
Another Norwood potential draftee that can’t be picked up until 2014 is Trent Dumont. He played in the Redlegs reserves last season and the strongly built inside midfielder impressed at this season’s National Under 18 carnival, particularly in the game against WA.
With a career best season in 2012, former Sydney Rookie Dean Terlich could find himself back in the AFL system after rejuvenating himself as a running defender. Terlich has been brilliant for Norwood and has real pace, isn’t afraid to back himself and uses the ball well on both sides of the body.
PORT MAGPIES:
Having played some League football for the Magpies over the last couple of seasons, the dangerous small forward Sam Gray capped off a remarkable season to date with State selection at senior level earlier in the year. Playing on the ball as well, Grey will surely be in the eyes of AFL recruiter again.
After getting mentored by Power player Alipate Carlile and former Magpies Captain Corey Ah Chee, young defender Aseri Raikiwasa has been a revelation for Port this season. Debuting earlier in the year, the Fijian youngster has a lot of promise and may find himself in the AFL system in 2013.
Talented small forward and midfielder Tim Broomhead may be lightly built but isn’t afraid to throw his body on the line and has been impressive for both SA in the Under 18 Carnival and the Magpies at senior level. The speedster has good skills and will almost certainly be drafted next year.
SOUTH ADELAIDE:
Having made his League debut for the Panthers last season, the Ugandan born Emmanuel Irra would certainly be strongly looked at as a potential AFL draftee. Currently playing in South’s Reserves at the moment, the speedster is a real excitement machine and has a bright future ahead of him.
Probably the most dangerous small forward in the league, Peter Rolfe has now been playing senior football with the Panthers for four seasons now. He has pace to burn, finished off well in front of goal and has a good work rate. If he stays injury free, is good enough to be on an AFL list.
Another young South Aussie not eligible to be drafted until 2014, key forward Darcy Hourigan is a solidly built player with a strong set of hands and a nice left foot kick. He made his League debut for South last year as a 16 year old and will almost certainly be drafted when old enough.
STURT:
Former basketballer Brodie Grundy is one of the most talented young ruckman in the land and should be a top 10 draft pick. Currently playing in the Double Blues league side, Grundy has played back to back National Under 18 carnivals and earnt All Australian selection this season.
Making his league debut against the Dogs a few weeks ago, the diminutive Harley Montgomery has looked very impressive in the early stages of his career. He shows good poise, uses the ball well and knows where the goals are. A very talented footballer and will be seriously looked at for drafting.
Having already spent time in the AFL with Calrton, Double Blues defender Jo Anderson still feels he is good enough to play at the highest level. In his second season at Unley, Anderson often finds himself on the best opposition forward, generally holding his own. A possibility to be re-drafted.
WEST ADELAIDE:
Bloods midfielder Oliver Johnston was in the State Under 18’s squad this season and is Captain of West’s Under 18’s side. Oliver has dominated the Maccas Cup competition racking up possessions at will and generally uses the ball well. Will seriously be looked at by AFL clubs in this year’s draft.
Having been spoken about as a potential draftee for the last couple of seasons, Bloods midfielder / forward Jonno Beech seems to improve with each season of senior football he plays. Included in the senior state squad this season, Beech may just get a chance on an AFL list as a mature age player.
Starting the season in the Bloods Under 18’s, power forward Mason Middleton represented West at senior level over in Perth for their Foxtel Cup clash earlier in the year. The high marking Middleton is now playing in the reserves and would be certainly be on the radar of a few AFL clubs.
WOODVILLE WEST TORRENS:
Despite being ruled out of action for the rest of the year due to hip surgery, SA under 18 captain and league Premiership player Jimmy Toumpas will almost certainly be a top five draft pick. Toumpas has amazing pace, uses the ball well and has a big future ahead of him at AFL level.
After a fantastic National Under 18 carnival, forward Matthew McDonough is back playing reserves football for the Eagles and could get his league debut by the end of the season. Regularly kicking bags of goals, the All Australian youngster will certainly find an AFL home next season.
After returning home to SA with just one AFL game at the Swans, speedster Byron Sumner has been a shining light in what has been a disastrous season for the reigning premiers. Sumner has moved to half back of late and provides great run and carry with his pace. Could get a second chance at AFL.
