THE SANFL Under 18 season is set to kick off in just over a month, with members of the state summer squad now set to return to their clubs and complete preseason. Before then, we quizzed each of the top-agers on which teammates look primed for a big year at Sunday’s preseason testing event.

>> SCROLL to see the full list of nominees

The overwhelming favourite amongst his 25 surveyed peers was North Adelaide midfielder Sam Cumming. His name was mentioned nine times as one to watch ahead of season 2025, having already made his mark as a bottom-ager where he won the SANFL Under 18 MVP Award.

Work rate was a key theme in each explanation, with the hard-running onballer making an impression through his standards both on and off the field.

“He’s amazing. A hard worker and very humble for someone as good as he is,” said Sturt midfielder/defender Noah Roberts-Thomson – a relative of two-time Sydney Swans premiership player, Lewis.

Norwood forward Will Prescott seconded that sentiment, adding that Cumming “works his arse off” both in training and games.

While Cumming is already well known to many as a highly credentialed prospect and National Academy member, perhaps one set to climb the rankings in 2025 is Jevan Phillipou. The brother of St Kilda’s Mattaes is cut from the same cloth, possessing great upside as a midfielder-forward.

Redlegs pair Noah Daw and Fergus Myall both spoke of his outstanding GPS numbers, described by the latter as “out of town” compared to all comers. Eagles teammate Lachlan Sands also gave a glowing review.

“I think he has absolutely shone in preseason. He’s running really well, he’s doing a lot of things really well and he’s been a great teammate to me,” Sands said.

Four players put Phillipou’s name forward, which is the same number of nominations Aidan Schubert yielded. The Central District tall will be among South Australia’s main targets up forward this year and comes from a strong basketball background.

“He’s had a really big preseason. If he can take a few marks for us up forward this year it’ll be really good. He’s been training the house down, he’s a really good runner,” said Centrals and State teammate Matthew LeRay.

Another North Adelaide midfielder in Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier was noted for his step-up in level and leadership this preseason, put forward by three teammates. Among his own choices was tall Norwood defender Noah Daw, who is coming off an injury-ravaged year.

It was almost inevitable that Dyson Sharp‘s name would pop up, being arguably the best prospect out of SA this year. He nominated Cumming and Bulldogs teammate Douglas Cochrane – the only bottom-ager to feature this year. He and Sharp could well be the number one picks in 2025 and 2026.

WHO IS ONE TO WATCH FOR 2025?

Sam Cumming (North Adelaide) – 9 nominations
Jevan Phillipou (Woodville-West Torrens) – 4
Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North Adelaide) – 3
Aidan Schubert (Central District) – 3
Dougie Cochrane (Central District) – 2
Noah Daw (Norwood) – 2
Bayln O’Brien (Norwood) – 2
Dyson Sharp (Central District) – 2
Harley Barker (Sturt) – 1
Gus Downs* (West Adelaide) – 1
Louis Kellaway (Sturt) – 1
Jim Kelly (Norwood) – 1
Mitchell Marsh (West Adelaide) – 1
Cameron Nairn (Central District) – 1
Jesse Nye* (South Adelaide) – 1
Hayden Willmott* (Woodville-West Torrens) – 1

* – denotes outside of state squad