SOUTH Australia broke through to claim its fifth national Under 18 title on Sunday, and its first since 2018 after capping off a stellar undefeated campaign at Marvel Stadium. Led by coach Tony Bamford, the Croweaters won all four games by an average margin of 45 points.

Captain Dyson Sharp led the way and was named the champions’ Most Valuable Player (MVP), becoming one of the state’s several prospects to boost their draft stocks. We profiled all 25 players used throughout the carnival to make up what was a steady, reliable lineup.

>> Path to the title: South Australia’s 2025 Under 18s

RESULTS

GAME 1: def. Allies by 7 points
GAME 2: def. Vic Metro by 61 points
GAME 3: def. Western Australia by 76 points
GAME 4: def. Vic Country by 34 points

PROFILED: SOUTH AUSTRALIA U18s

#2 Jack Cook (Woodville-West Torrens)
Midfielder/Defender | 181cm | 02/07/2007

An uber-consistent accumulator who impacts going both ways, Cook was one of many prospects who added depth to South Australia’s engine room. He doubled as a small defender, providing overlap run and slick ball use by foot to compliment his knack for wheeling out the back of centre stoppages. Cook saved his best performance for last, posting 20 disposals, six tackles, and four clearances in SA’s title-clinching win over Vic Country. He’s the son of Tim Cook, who played eight games for Adelaide and remains the club physio at West Lakes.

#3 Jesse Nye (South Adelaide)
Small Forward/Wing | 176cm | 23/03/2007

An inclusion from outside the summer squad, Nye went on to play every game in South Australia’s undefeated run. His form coming into the champs was undeniable, averaging 21.3 disposals, 6.3 marks, and 6.0 tackles as South Adelaide’s Under 18 skipper. Nye slotted into a high forward role for the Croweaters and gave a chop-out on the wing when required. The diminutive left-footer is a creative, hard-running type who can chain possessions on the attack and leaves no stone unturned.

#4 Jim Kelly (Norwood)
Utility | 180cm | 16/02/2007

Another important squad member who flew under the radar while playing all four games, Kelly’s versatility was useful off the bench. While competition for spots in South Australia’s midfield was at a premium, Kelly proved he could play on the outside or as a high option at either end of the ground. He’s the type of player who finds the space and can drive forward with a bit of room to move. He started the campaign brightly with 20 disposals (16 kicks) and 532 metres gained against the Allies in Blacktown.

#6 Joshua Reichelt (Central District)
Defender | 180cm | 18/06/2007

One of just four players who missed one or more games, Reichelt slotted into a robust backline before being rotated out for the final match against Vic Country. Two of his three outings yielded six disposals, with Reichelt’s best effort ending with 10 touches, four intercept possessions, and four score involvements against Western Australia. Usually a prolific ball user off the last line who likes to run and connect, the Central District prospect had competition for that role and the kick-in duties.

#7 Louis Kellaway (Sturt)
Midfielder | 180cm | 16/03/2007

Remarkably the only club-tied player used by South Australia, Kellaway showed plenty of promise for Tigers fans and recruiters to latch onto. The father-son hopeful was among his side’s most frequently used midfielders, offering a combination of toughness and class. Some of his best plays helped SA move from end to end with repeat running spurts and sharp kicking on the move. He just as willingly brought down bigger opponents in tackles and rode the bumps well. In a true mark of his consistency, Kellaway waded between 18 and 21 disposals throughout the four games, posting 19 on two occasions.

#10 Noah Roberts-Thomson (Sturt)
Forward/Midfielder | 181cm | 29/03/2007

Usually Kellaway’s partner-in-crime for Sturt, Roberts-Thomson was afforded less midfield exposure but made use of his skills and work rate up forward. While relatively quiet throughout the middle two games, he provided defensive impetus with five tackles in either outing, and snared a goal against Vic Metro. Roberts-Thomson’s most prolific game was the first, notching 18 disposals, four marks, and three clearances against the Allies. He’s the cousin of dual-premiership Swan, Lewis.

#11 Zane Peucker (Woodville-West Torrens)
Small Forward | 180cm | 04/12/2007

If South Australia lacked in any one area, it would arguably be the small forward slot, but Peucker took on the role with aplomb. The Eagles speedster injected great energy and power to the play, often bustling his way towards goal and lighting up once in range of the big sticks. His best performance came against Vic Metro, where he nabbed two goals and had five score involvements from 14 touches. A feather in Peucker’s cap was hitting the scoreboard at least once in every game, making him a constant threat.

#14 Luke Candy (Glenelg)
Defender | 184cm | 16/05/2007

Candy was one of South Australia’s brightest starters, putting together his best outing in game one against the Allies. He managed a team-high 23 disposals, four clearances, and six intercept possessions over in Blacktown, a haul followed by 10, 12, and 13 touches in the remaining fixtures. A reliable member of the squad all series, the Glenelg rebounder provided a bit of bounce off half-back and took the game on with his speed. He’s a great athlete with strong jumping ability, as proven during preseason testing.

#15 Tim Alver (Glenelg)
Forward | 181cm | 15/06/2007

Another of the seven inclusions from outside the summer training squad, Alver played all of a possible four games for the Croweaters. The Glenelg Under 18 captain is accustomed to spending time in midfield but had much more to do with the forward half in representative colours, with his best moment being a miraculous goal against Western Australia.

#16 Sam Cumming (North Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 27/07/2007

Cumming is among the many Croweaters who boosted their draft stocks throughout the series, impacting in a dual mid-forward role. After a steady start against the Allies, the North Adelaide star found his groove with 21 touches and two goals against Vic Metro. He went on to bag a goal in each of the remaining two games to go with a combined nine score involvements. Cumming’s work rate, fast feet, and competitive streak are traits which have him poised to be a first round prospect this year.

#17 Jett Dahlitz (Sturt)
Defender | 187cm | 11/08/2007

Rated as arguably the best kick in South Australia, Dahlitz was the Croweaters’ main distributor from defence. The Sturt rebounder averaged an even 15 disposals per game, 12.5 of which were kicks in a clear indication of his modus operandi. Dahlitz bookended his campaign well and was particularly prominent in game four, registering 505 metres gained from 19 disposals (16 kicks) against Vic Country. He has come from a fair way back, with this being his first year in any state program.

#18 Kale Matthews-Hampton (Sturt)
Defender | 186cm | 18/05/2008

Matthews-Hampton was the sole bottom-ager used by South Australia, coming in for game three and staying put thereafter. Having had some state basketball commitments this year, he was left out of the original squad but came straight in against to face Western Australia after a single return game for Sturt’s Under 18s. The versatile left-footed defender was steady in his output, posting six disposals and three marks on debut before improving for 10 touches and four marks against Vic Country.

#22 Balyn O’Brien (Norwood)
Defender | 187cm | 26/01/2007

While hardly one to blow up the stats sheet, O’Brien would consistently have been one of the first on the team sheet as a reliable figure down back. Renowned for his competitiveness and ability to lock down on a variety of dangerous opponents, the Norwood defender did so across all four games. He played the percentages and did his all to win the ball back for South Australia, proving a hard man to beat. His peak output yielded eight disposals and four marks against Western Australia in game three.

#23 Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 11/04/2007

An experienced member of South Australia’s state program, Oudshoorn-Bennier came in off an injury cloud and improved with each passing game. His game four haul of 20 disposals, five marks, four clearances and a goal was his best, also posting six score involvements. He used the ball at 86 per cent efficiency throughout the series, including at 100 per cent in a steady game one. The North Adelaide Under 18 captain and 2024 McCallum Tomkins Medal winner possesses a deft step and clearly is a classy ball user at his best. He could be a steady riser up draft boards in the back-end of the year.

#24 Harley Barker (Sturt)
Wing/Forward | 187cm | 02/05/2007

Barker formed half of SA’s formidable wing duo and showcased a range of traits which have him poised to be a first round candidate. The Sturt Under 18 captain played his role to a t, tracking up and back but getting most dangerous in the attacking phase by finding space to be a reliable outlet option. He wasn’t afraid to use his speed to take on opponents and drive the ball forward, while also proving a handy aerial athlete. He spent time forward and kicked goals in three of the four matches. In his lone goalless game, Barker notched a personal-best 19 disposals and 497 metres gained.

#25 Matthew LeRay (Central District)
Wing | 189cm | 22/02/2007

The other half of said wing duo, LeRay was just as effective. Having sacrificed a promising state cricket career to commit to football this year, the Central District utility poured time into his running game and has reaped the benefits. LeRay showcased outstanding work rate throughout the carnival, tracking into both 50-metre arcs and helping connect the lines with his kicking off both feet. A rangy type at 189cm, he also held his own in the air to take eight marks in games one and four. LeRay’s consistency was also a highlight, having between 15 and 18 disposals across the four games, including consecutive hauls of 17.

#26 Mitchell Marsh (West Adelaide)
Tall Forward | 191cm | 15/02/2007

Perhaps becoming South Australia’s leading prospect across an extraordinary four-game stretch, Marsh finished top of the goalkicking charts with 12 in four games. That included a bag of four in game one and five in game four to bookend his series nicely. West Adelaide’s sole squad member, Marsh showcased high-end athletic traits with his speed off the mark and spring-heeled aerial ability. The booming left-footer has all the tools to be a top 15 talent, and will be pushing for a single-digit number next to his name come draft time. He has an abundance of talent not seen in many prospects this year.

#27 Elliott Duffield (South Adelaide)
Tall Defender | 193cm | 20/06/2007

Duffield helped hold up a robust defence which conceded just 45 points per game after leaking 76 against the Allies. Undoubtedly his best game amongst a trio of single-digit disposal hauls was his 13 touches, five marks, and five intercept possessions against Western Australia. The solid South Adelaide backman offered composure in that department, and when distributing the ball from defensive 50. He took full advantage of the opportunity to play all four games in the wake of Tom McKay‘s injury.

#28 Cameron Nairn (Central District)
Forward | 189cm | 15/10/2007

Nairn burst onto the scene with seven goals against Western Australia, staking his claim as a potential top 25 talent. The Centrals forward stole the limelight from talls Marsh and Aidan Schubert in that game, splitting the big sticks from a range of angles and proving to be a genuine deadeye. At 189cm, Nairn offered an aerial avenue and averaged 5.3 marks per game to compliment his nine overall goals. Performances like his against WA will stick in the mind of recruiters during the back-end of the year.

#29 Dyson Sharp (Central District)
Midfielder | 187cm | 23/05/2007

Captain & MVP

South Australia’s fearless leader was named its Most Valuable Player upon lifting up the cup, capping off a stellar carnival. Sharp is likely to be firmly in Larke Medal contention after four consistent performances, and a standout game against Vic Metro. The crash-and-bash midfielder racked up 32 disposals, seven clearances and two goals in that game before a haul of 33, six, and two against Western Australia the very next week. While long renowned for his contested ball winning ability, Sharp added weapons to his game in the form of outside accumulation and scoreboard impact. He was immense.

#31 Noah Daw (Norwood)
Tall Defender | 192cm | 13/07/2007

Featuring in South Australia’s first two games Daw was resolute down back. He took on tough matchups and was a capable interceptor, proving strong in one-on-one battles. Daw’s 13 disposals and 11 intercept possessions against Vic Metro were outstanding after a solid 11 touches and five marks against the Allies. He eventually made way for the likes of Matthews-Hampton and Thredgold in SA’s back six.

#32 Blake Thredgold (Sturt)
Key Defender | 194cm | 27/08/2007

Thredgold was the sole Croweater to feature in just one game after making a timely return in game four. He would have been a walk-up starter throughout the series if not for a broken hand, which kept him out until a return via Sturt’s Under 18s. The reliable and courageous defender showed some nice signs with 13 disposals, five marks, and five intercept possessions in the decisive game against Vic Country, so will be a watch for the back-end of the year. He has played in every key position slot for Sturt.

#37 Aidan Schubert (Central District)
Key Forward/Ruck | 198cm | 21/12/2007

Bolting to become one of the top two key forwards in the draft – depending on who you ask – Schubert spearheaded South Australia’s attack with 10 goals in four games. His best effort came in game one, making a splash with four majors from 14 disposals and eight marks. He averaged nearly nine score involvements per game and was a contested marking machine, taking six against Vic Metro. His rangy frame and clean hands made him difficult to beat aerially, along with a competitive streak. Schubert also chopped out in the ruck and looks every bit a top 15 prospect on representative form alone.

#38 Bryce Sanders (North Adelaide)
Key Defender | 196cm | 11/05/2007

Another defender who falls into the underrated category, Sanders helped shut down some of the country’s best key forwards. Having himself lined up in attack at times for North Adelaide, the 196cm utility was an important role player for the Croweaters having been included from outside the summer squad. Perhaps his best game came against Western Australia, where he helped quell Cody Curtin in the early stages while posting 11 disposals, three marks, and seven intercept possessions.

#40 Sam Ainsworth (Norwood)
Ruck | 198cm | 12/08/2007

One of the great unknowns coming into the championships, Ainsworth had been in undeniable form for Norwood having been converted from a key defender to a ruck. He translated that form onto the representative stage, often finishing among his side’s top contested possession winners. He averaged 15.8 disposals, 15.3 hitouts, and 4.5 clearances per game, closing out the series with 20, 12, and eight against Vic Country. He’s a tall who is growing in confidence and isn’t afraid to possess the ball, showing a terrific rate of improvement throughout his top-age campaign to date.

UNCAPPED PLAYERS

With only 25 players used throughout the carnival, 10 members of the 35-man squad missed out on donning the tricolour guernsey. Among them were seven bottom-agers who’ll likely get their chance next year, and three injured players. Central District utility Dougie Cochrane fits into both those categories.

If not for a hamstring injury, he would have been a starting 18 player alongside Woodville-West Torrens captain Jevan Phillipou – the brother of Mattaes. Phillipou, an explosive midfielder-forward, just ran out of time in his recovery from a broken arm, returning for the Eagles instead of SA over the weekend.

Over-ager Thomas McKay was another injury casualty, suffering a broken leg during the trial phase. The Glenelg tall had represented his state during last year’s carnival and earned a state combine invite, indicating a level of AFL interest. He returned in good form this year but couldn’t build on it.

South Adelaide pair Kodah Edwards and Archie Van dyk were frequently used as emergencies on the extended bench – the former twice and the latter three times. Fellow bottom-ager Ethan Herbert was also on standby for game three as a reserve ruck, but Ainsworth held down the role emphatically.

Speedy Glenelg forward Gabriel Patterson, and a further two South Adelaide prospects in Cain Florance and Angus White were the remaining bottom-agers who couldn’t get a look-in. Top-age Norwood tall Fergus Myall was also in that group given the dominance of Marsh and Schubert up forward.