AMONG the most esteemed junior footballers this year is Dyson Sharp, who has been regarded as South Australia’s top 2007-born prospect for some time. No other budding draftee is better at winning contested ball than the Croweaters’ Under 18 captain, who continues to prove as much in 2025.

Sharp, who debuted in Central District’s League team last year, was named best afield for his side in the annual Talent Clash on Saturday. The 188cm inside bull set the tone at the source with typically strong distributive work, holding his own despite going down by 14 points to the SA Under 20 outfit.

Highly regarded around the country, Sharp’s dominant output amongst his peers will put his side in good stead heading into the National Championships. We put the midfielder’s latest performance under the Player Focus microscope to dissect how well he stacks up against this year’s top-end talent.

>> Scouting Notes: 2025 South Australia U18 vs. U20

Central District, South AustraliaMidfielder

Dyson Sharp

Height: 188cm

Weight: -

DOB: 23-05-2007

SEASON AVERAGES:

SANFL U18s (2 games): 31.0 disposals, 5.0 marks, 2.0 tackles, 6.0 clearances
SANFL League (2 games): 13.5 disposals, 1.5 clearances, 2.5 inside 50s, 0.5 goals

FROM THE EXPERTS:

“Dyson played all four AFL U18 National games last year as a bottom-age player and performed well. He was also exposed to SANFL League footy late in season 2024 and performed very well. Dyson is a highly-talented ball-winning midfielder with effective leadership skills, has strength in his core and torso and was in our top five in the 2km time trial.

“His application, intensity and energy in our program during preseason has been both impressive and infectious. Dyson has been working on complementing his ball-winning ability with a more balanced approach to defensive transition while also doing more aerial craft work.” – SA U18 coach Tony Bamford via SANFL

STRENGTHS:

+ Competitiveness
+ Contested game
+ Leadership
+ Strength
+ Tackling

PLAYER FOCUS

2025 SA TALENT CLASH
SA U18 11.8 (74) def. by SA U20 13.10 (88)

#29 Dyson Sharp (SA U18)
Stats: 21 disposals (13 handballs), 13 contested possessions, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 goal

FIRST HALF:

Sharp took next to no time to get going, posting 13 of his 21 total disposals in the first half. His lone goal for the game came in the opening quarter, complimenting the distributive role he took on around stoppages. There, Sharp was the primary ball winner.

The Under 18 captain either dished off to teammates when winning first possession or applied desperate tackle pressure when the ball went the opposition’s way, setting a strong example at the source. His leadership extended to vocal direction and encouragement.

While largely effective around the ball, particularly by hand, Sharp lacked a damaging streak as he often delivered from a standing start or while under pressure – allowing others to shine on the outside. Still, his core strength and ability to absorb contact was impressive.

Sharp covered ground on the outside without necessarily shifting to a high gear, tracking the play and competing aerially when he could. A good example of his footy smarts and courage saw him cop a hit as he dished off to effectively shepherd and allow his teammate more time.

SECOND HALF:

Sharp continued along in his usual manner after half time, rotating forward with seemingly little time off the ground. He jogged off a slight limp after being brought down in a tackle early in term three, winning possession at the next contest to highlight his toughness.

Again, much of his best work was done by hand and allowed others to gain meterage on the outside. Sharp did so himself with a running bounce and more easy possessions late in the piece, though couldn’t always find a target with his ball use by foot around the attacking 50.

It seemed that, overall, his impact was largely contained to the confines of the contest. While he has the capacity to run hard, accumulate, or play at either end of the ground, his best attributes are suited to being the primary ball winner. Every team needs one.

Sharp’s willingness to apply pressure is also a handy string to his bow and few juniors can match his physicality. Other top prospects beat him athletically and on the outside, where they can punish the opposition more through kicking skills and speed. Perhaps that style better suits current AFL trends.

Either way, Sharp’s top traits are unmatched by anyone in the draft pool, and that’s why he has long been considered a top 10 talent. Whether that sentiment remains is down to how many elements he can add to his game – hitting the scoreboard, becoming more damaging kick and aerial threat.