ADELAIDE Crows proved a popular choice among the SANFL Under 18 State Academy members when posed the question of which AFL club they support. Surveying all 25 top-agers in the summer squad, seven still support the West Lakes side, with 10 overall pledging allegiances at one point in their lives.

Among them is Woodville-West Torrens prospect Jack Cook, whose father Tim played eight games in two years at the Crows. His connection to West Lakes remains strong having joined the Crows’ physical performance staff as a physiotherapist. It meant Jack’s decision was a fairly straightforward one.

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South Adelaide defender Elliott Duffield (North Melbourne) and Eagles forward Logan Hughes (Brisbane) switched loyalties, while Norwood’s Jim Kelly started favouring Port Adelaide once his father began working there, only to now also follow Sydney after Redleg Ned Bowman was drafted to the Swans.

Duffield’s choice was made at the Royal Adelaide Show, where he intended to pick out a St Kilda showbag, only for them to be sold out. The decision was made for him with a selection of North Melbourne goodies still available, confirming a point of difference to his Adelaide-supporting family.

Hughes, meanwhile, was a huge Charlie Cameron fan growing up, so followed him into the maroon, blue and gold in 2017. In a similar vein, Jevan Phillipou tends to follow only his brother Mattaes in the top flight and enjoys watching St Kilda. He used to support Sydney, and prefers the Port side of Adelaide.

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A further four prospects also said they barrack for Port Adelaide, including National Academy member Harley Barker. The Sturt wingman admitted a growing fondness for North Melbourne due to the Roos’ exciting young list, but models his game off athletic Port defender Miles Bergman.

Family ties gave Richmond and Sydney some representation among the group. Tigers father-son candidate Louis Kellaway will look to follow in the footsteps of father Duncan and uncle Andrew to Punt Road, while Noah Roberts-Thomson‘s cousin Lewis was a two-time premiership player at the Swans.

Those two interstate clubs had several nominations, along with two each to Hawthorn and Essendon. Mildura native Sam Cumming cited local products playing for the Hawks as a factor, while Dyson Sharp became a Bomber after learning of his namesake Dyson Heppell, who debuted when Sharp was five.

PRESEASON Q&As:
Harley Barker 
Matthew LeRay 
Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier
Jevan Phillipou