THE South Australian National Football League (SANFL) has today released the 2022 South Australian Under 18 squad, set to compete in this year’s National Championships across June and July. The 40-player crop is packed with key position talent, with a whopping 17 players measuring up at over 190cm.

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Among them are West Adelaide giants Harry Lemmey, Tom Scully and Harry Barnett. A top pick contender, Lemmey has plied his trade at the League and Reserves levels this season, while Scully’s Under 18 goalkicking feats have seen him rocket up draft boards, and Barnett’s Round 7 performance proved a breakout effort.

The trio counts towards Westies’ seven squad members, which includes prolific midfielder Kobe Ryan, who recently made his senior debut. Unsurprisingly, North Adelaide’s undefeated Under 18s side contributed the most players of any club, with eight in line to earn representative honours in the famous tri-colour jersey.

There is some AFL club-tied talent on offer across South Australia’s squad, headlined by Adelaide father-son candidate Max Michalanney. The 192cm defender from Norwood is set to be a key figure for his state. Crows fans will also recognise the name Isaac Keeler, with the talented ruck-forward an exciting watch out of their Next Generation Academy (NGA).

The likes of Mattaes Phillipou and Luca Slade also lay claim to names synonymous with SANFL fans, and the latter is one of 10 bottom-aged (2005-born) talents to have earned selection. There are a few potential early picks among them, namely Glenelg utility Ashton Moir, South Adelaide forward Jack Delean, and West Adelaide defender Will Patton.

Along with Phillipou, Lemmey, Ryan, and Michalanney, Sturt midfielder Nick Sadler has climbed his way up the grades in 2022, as has strongly built Woodville-West Torrens ball winner Adam D’Aloia. The Eagles prospect has already impressed at the level, tasked with a prominent midfield role in last year’s Under 19 lineup.

Coming together to train on May 16 (next Monday), the squad’s first assignment at this year’s championships is a clash with the Allies at Thebarton Oval on June 19. Matches against Vic Country (June 26), Vic Metro (July 17), and Western Australia (July 24) will follow, with the Metro meeting looming as South Australia’s sole interstate fixture.

2022 SOUTH AUSTRALIA UNDER 18 SQUAD