THE SANFL has released a 55-player squad to take part in its Futures program, starting in September. Selected prospects will undergo a three-week training camp once their club campaigns are completed, hoping to earn selection in the state’s Under 17 showcase game on SANFL League Grand Final day.

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Labelled as an early guide for next year’s Under 18 squad, 39 players eligible for the 2026 AFL Draft have been included. The remainder of the roster is made up by 16 prospects in the 2009-born category, including five recent Under 16 All-Australians, and state MVP Hugo Semmler.

Glenelg and Sturt look like being strong sides into the future having contributed a total of 10 representatives apiece. Both also have the highest number of 2008-born players with eight each. Central District and Norwood boast the equal-most Under 16s in the squad with three.

An early frontrunner among the 2026 crop is Centrals utility Dougie Cochrane, who has recently made a splash at senior level. The son of former Port Adelaide and North Melbourne player Stuart is not father-son eligible for either club, although he may join brother Tom at Port via its Indigenous Academy.

A similar story is that of speedy Glenelg forward Gabe Patterson, whose father Stephen played 96 games for Collingwood. While that number puts Gabe four short of father-son eligibility, his sister Violet was picked up by the Pies under father-daughter rules and recently made her AFLW debut.

Glenelg has another familiar name in its ranks, with Koby Moir making the cut. The brother of Carlton forward Ashton boasts similarly freakish ability and athleticism, but is also a talented basketballer. He represented South Australia at Under 16 level last year, so will likely grapple between the two codes.

Sturt defender Kale Matthews-Hampton was the only bottom-ager to take the field for SA’s title-winning Under 18 side this year, so was an automatic selection for the Futures squad. Likewise, North Adelaide ruck Ethan Herbert and South midfielders Kodah Edwards and Archie Van dyk were emergencies in the Under 18 team so locked in their spots.

2025 SANFL U17 FUTURES SQUAD

CENTRAL DISTRICT (8): Dougie Cochrane, Jack Gordon, Charlie Moss, Jack Eime, Jordan Ruchs, Hugo Semmler*, Brayden Whimpress*, Billy Nicholls*

GLENELG (10): Gabe Patterson, Harry Franz, Koby Moir, Jacob McNicol, Jobe Janeway, Harvey Croker, Jack Wakelin, Ben Copping, Ryan Lucas*, Tim Cain*

NORTH ADELAIDE (5): Ethan Herbert, Zack Young, Finn Blieschke, Archie Simpson*, Jackson Penney*

NORWOOD (5): Tom Neal, Harvey Pearce, Kai Ivins*, Charlie Best*, Thomas Gribben*

SOUTH ADELAIDE (7): Angus White, Archie Van Dyk, Kodah Edwards, Kody Shortridge, Jackson Blacker, Zemes Pilot*, Hudson Boal*

STURT (10): Kale Matthews-Hampton, Jonah Lagana, Ivan Wilkinson, Jack Nelson, Hugo Jaeschke, Ben Beavan, Lachie Werts, Ryan Davies, Harvey Chapman*, Taj Garrett*

WEST ADELAIDE (5): Anthony Long, Charlie Bradford, Jock Miller, Laurence Andriani*, Dean Hatedakis*

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS (5): Jensen Frantz, Mitchell Harris, Jack Leys, Jack Marks, Blake Karpany