SOUTH Adelaide has long produced some of South Australia’s finest footballers. Recently, the Panthers have had their talent program headed up by Mark Clayton, who has been appointed Port Adelaide’s academies coach. Before him, current South Australian Under 18 mentor Tony Bamford was in charge.

It’s no wonder, then, that the club boasts three of SA’s leading prospects heading into season 2026. While only one bottom-ager managed a state Under 18 berth during last year’s run to the title, all three members of South’s talented trio were in the squad, with two named as gameday emergencies.

We put South Adelaide’s star midfield prospects for 2026 under the spotlight.

>> ONES TO WATCH: 26 draft prospects for 2026

Kodah Edwards
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 25/07/2008

2025 stats [17 games]: 19.4 disposals, 4.6 marks, 6.9 tackles, 5.3 clearances, 4.5 inside 50s, 1.2 goals (21 total)

A leader among South Adelaide’s talented 2026 crop, Edwards throws himself at everything. He’s tough and clean at the contest, often putting his side on the front foot as a prolific clearance extractor. What’s more, Edwards charges forward and can impact the scoreboard when resting inside 50. His power and dual-position threat make him an exciting talent, recognised by the South Australian state program given he was incredibly close to an Under 18 representative berth this year. He’s the only one amongst this Panthers trio to have earned National Academy selection, and was the club’s 2025 best and fairest. He also won the SANFL Under 16 league best and fairest in 2024 and was state captain.

Archie Van dyk
Midfielder/Defender | 186cm | 28/07/2008

2025 stats [13 games]: 25.8 disposals, 6.0 marks, 5.2 tackles, 4.1 clearances, 4.2 inside 50s, 0.7 goals (9 total)

The most consistently prolific player in this trio, Van dyk racks up possessions for fun. It’s no fluke either, with his wicked stoppage craft complimented by an endless running tank. A bigger body at 186cm and growing, he is wonderfully clean on the inside and overhead, showcasing plenty of guts in how he goes about it. Van dyk’s work rate allows him to remain involved on the outside, and being the type of player who likes the ball in his hands, he has also doubled as a distributor off half-back. That secondary position helps his disposal shine in what is otherwise a scrappy style of play at times. The 17-year-old was best on ground in South’s losing SANFL Under 16 Grand Final in 2024. He became an integral Under 18 player last year after overcoming an elbow injury early in the campaign.

Angus White
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 06/06/2008

2025 stats [11 games]: 11.5 disposals, 2.1 marks, 4.3 tackles, 3.4 clearances, 2.8 inside 50s, 0.8 goals (9 total)

Another dual-position prospect, White boasts some of the best upside of this trio. He’s a low-possession, high-impact type with enormous power and class. That applies both at the contest and in front of goal. With terrific speed and agility, he accelerates out of stoppages in eye-catching fashion and offers x-factor inside attacking 50. There, he has proven to be a shrewd finisher from any angle. Like his two teammates, White has strong fundamentals with clean hands and clearance craft but can also make things happen out of seemingly nowhere. He shapes as a potential riser in among the 2026 crop.

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