NORTH Adelaide midfielder Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier has finally arrived at his top-age season having long been a staple of the South Australian pathway. The 17-year-old was selected in state Under 16 and 18 squads as a bottom-ager, and is now looking to make a mark in his draft year.

>> AFL Draft: SANFL prospects pick their breakout contenders

After working through shin splints early last year and missing out on a state Under 18 debut, Oudshoorn-Bennier rallied to play 17 games with the Roosters for an average of 26 disposals. He hit that exact mark in his maiden SANFL Reserves outing, signalling his intentions to close out 2024.

We spoke to Oudshoorn-Bennier during Sunday’s SANFL Under 18s preseason testing event.

>> SANFL U18s Q&As: Harley Barker (Sturt) | Matthew LeRay (Centrals)

PRESEASON Q&A

Q: Blake, can you talk about your earliest footballing memories?

BOB: “I started basically like everyone else at Auskick, but I think I soon found out that I didn’t really enjoy it too much, I didn’t really want to play footy as an Auskicker. So I just got straight into it when I was about five in Under 6s at Ingle Farm Football Club.

“I had family members there like my cousin Shaun [Bennier], so I started there until Under 12s and then wanted a bit more of a challenge. I went to Div 1 footy at Modbury Hawks, knowing that I was probably going into the SANFL Under 16s, so I just wanted to have a bit more experience at that level. After about one or two years at Modbury I stepped into North Adelaide Under 16s as a bottom-ager.”

Q: How has it been being part of the state program throughout the years?

BOB: “It’s been really good. I think just getting used to that level of intensity, whether it’s training or games. It’s just been really good. I’ve definitely learnt a lot, being there for so long. I definitely think my leadership qualities have grown along the way because I’ve been there for so long. Just the confidence to have that knowledge and share it with others that are probably coming through the program for the first time has been there.”

Q: How has your preseason been?

BOB: “Really good. Obviously there’s a bit more fire in the belly just because of some non-selections [last year] and stuff like that. It’s running really smoothly though… I definitely feel like that knowledge is also expanding more and more, obviously you can learn a lot more as the years go on. And then just working on overall fundamentals has been really good. So, just running really smoothly and things are improving.”

Q: Can you describe yourself as a player?

BOB: “Hard-working. I think I’m definitely handy in offence and then defence is still something I’m working on, just that defensive transition. I think my leadership describes me as a player. Being that leader, not only by voice, but I tend to lead by example and my actions speak louder. Also just professional and dedicated.”

Q: Can you speak a little more about your strengths on-field, and then on the flipside, the things you still need to work on?

BOB: “I think my strengths are just my clean hands at ground level or just overall ball take. I’m able to take the ball one-hand if it’s coming at me quickly. My reaction time with that kind of stuff allows me to have a lot more time. At trainings I’ve been noticing a lot more in my explosion with the legs out of congestion. I want to be a bit more damaging this year by by foot, whether that’s a bit more metres gained with the footy or just taking it on a little bit more, or using my kick penetration. I also think one of my weapons is my kicking and I think last year I handballed a bit too much.

“Then on the flipside with the kind of stuff I need to work on is that defensive transition stuff. Not that I can’t do it, but it’s just more the ability to snap quicker and just locate an opponent when I don’t have the footy. Then overall I’m just working on the fundamentals still because they are crucial in this day and age with footy.”

Q: Do you watch a lot of footy? 

BOB: “Yeah, I do watch a lot of footy. Whenever I can, it’s hard because I play at the same time as a lot of the AFL happens. But when I can, I watch the replays the next morning or watch whatever’s on that night.”

Q: Which club do you support?

BOB: “Port Adelaide.”

Q: Are there any players you look up to and try to mould your game on?

BOB: “It’d be nice to try and mould my game on like that Zak Butters, Nick Daicos kind of player. They’re just super quick, their reaction time is incredible. Also their ability to get out of stoppage because of their either clean fundamentals or just their explosiveness with their legs. You can’t really beat them. They’re pretty good at executing with the footy and they’re just really dangerous.”

Q: Are there any teammates that you think we should look out for to have a big season?

BOB: “You’ll probably hear him a lot, it’s Sam Cumming, he’s a big player to look out for. Obviously he’s just growing, he’s getting better and better every year. I think someone that kind of flown on the radar a bit in the preseason is Noah Daw, because he’s had a pretty rough stint with injuries… he’s incredibly strong and he just keeps growing in height as well, so he’s going to be a very key backman in the state squad.”