FRESH off a breakthrough title at last year’s National Championships, South Australia’s Under 18 squad for 2026 shapes as one which could go back-to-back. A deep top-age contingent is supported by promising 2009-born prospects, and a strong midfield core forms the base of a strong spine. We take a deep dive into SA’s representative stocks.

>> AFL DRAFT: 26 prospects to watch in 2026

SQUAD BREAKDOWN

BY AGE:

Top-age (2008): 25
Bottom-age (2009): 7
Over-age (2007): 0

BY CLUB:

Central District (5): Dougie Cochrane, Jake Eime, Jack Gordon, Charlie Moss, Hugo Semmler*
Glenelg (4): Harvey Croker, Harry Franz, Jobe Janeway, Jacob McNicol, Gabe Patterson
North Adelaide (3): Ethan Herbert, Memphis Webb, Zackariah Young
Norwood (1): Kai Ivins*
South Adelaide (7): Jackson Blacker, Kodah Edwards, Cain Florance, Kody Shortridge, Archie Van dyk, Angus White, Zemes Pilot*
Sturt (4): Hugo Jaeschke, Kale Matthews-Hampton, Harvey Chapman*, Taj Garrett*
West Adelaide (4): Charlie Bradford, Anthony Long, Laurence Andriani*, Dean Hatedakis*
Woodville-West Torrens (3): Mitchell Harris, Blake Karpany, Jack Leys

* – denotes bottom-age

AFL ACADEMY MEMBERS

Dougie Cochrane (Central District/South Australia)
Tall Utility | 196cm | 02/05/2008

196cm wunderkind Cochrane is supremely gifted athletically, able to beat opponents off the mark and in the air. What’s better, he can get it done at both ends of the ground and has even been exposed to midfield. Cochrane made five SANFL League appearances for Central District last year and is the son of Stuart, who played 104 AFL games between Port Adelaide and North Melbourne. His brother Tom is a rookie at Port Adelaide, who recently added Dougie to its Indigenous Academy.

Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide/South Australia)
Midfielder/Forward | 183cm | 25/07/2008

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 also impacts the scoreboard. 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.

Jack Gordon (Central District/South Australia)
Defender/Midfielder | 184cm | 02/01/2008

A staple of the South Australian pathway, Gordon was overlooked for Under 18 squad selection last year but will likely be integral to next year’s group. He dominated at club level in 2025, averaging 22.7 disposals and 4.6 clearances at 76 per cent efficiency for Central District, stepping up in the absence of several star teammates who went on to be drafted. Gordon even turned out for two Reserves games and is a highly dependable type. In defence, he possesses, carries and distributes the ball with confidence – traits which translate well to his secondary role through midfield.

Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide/South Australia)
Ruck | 200cm | 01/11/2008

Arguably the most dominant bottom-age player in the SANFL Under 18 competition last year, Herbert put up big numbers in the ruck. Leaning on his craft and mobility, he averaged 17.9 disposals, 6.4 clearances, and 26.4 hitouts across 16 games for North Adelaide. His clean set of hands aided strong follow-up work and there is potential for the 200cm big man to develop his forward craft. He was only kept out of South Australia’s Under 18 side last year by All-Australian ruck Sam Ainsworth.

Gabriel Patterson (Glenelg/South Australia)
Forward | 182cm | 26/03/2008

Collingwood fans will be asking what could have been, with Patterson’s father Stephen falling four games short of rendering Gabriel father-son eligible to the Magpies. The Glenelg livewire boasts explosive speed and a keen eye for goal, as proven by his seven-goal haul against eventual SANFL Under 18 grand finalist, West Adelaide. Patterson is a serious threat at the fall of the ball and can take a mile when given an inch, putting him up there with the best of 2026. He was part of South Australia’s undefeated Under 18 squad last year without playing a game.

>> PROFILED: 2026 AFL Academy squad

THE LOCKS

Along with Herbert and Edwards, South midfielder Archie Van dyk was named as an emergency during last year’s National Championships. He was unlucky to miss out on AFL Academy selection after an exceptionally consistent season which culminated in the Under 17 Futures match. Expect him to be among the first names on the team sheet for SA.

Club teammate Angus White is another prospect likely to feature in the engine room. The powerful mid-forward offers class and a keen eye for goal, shaping as a high-impact player the Croweaters can turn to for a spark. If not burrowing in to win clearances and explode out of packs, he’s often sighted crafting scoring opportunities.

Tall defender Kale Matthews-Hampton was the only bottom-ager to take the field for SA in last year’s title-winning side. The Sturt premiership player turned out 12 times last year among his basketballing commitments. He’s another talented dual-sportsman with a decision to make heading into his top-age season, but shows promise as a daring free-roaming rebounder.

Another key piece of the Croweaters’ defence this year will be Mitchell Harris, a 194cm lockdown type out of Woodville-West Torrens. He’s a strong competitor who attacks the aerial ball hard and has buckets for hands. Harris was a late call-up for the National Futures match last year and should head up SA’s backline.

>> SPOTLIGHT: South’s star midfielders

ONES TO WATCH

South Australia’s squad runs quite deep, with a few more top-agers well poised to emerge beyond the recognised group. One of the most intriguing prospects to keep tabs on is Memphis Webb. The North Adelaide midfielder racked up 32 disposals in his only full SANFL Under 18s appearance last year before an ACL tear cut his season short.

Glenelg’s Jacob McNicol is another onballer in the mix, boasting slick left-foot skills and a sharp turn of speed. He was best on field in last year’s SANFL Futures match. The Bays also have 207cm ruck Jobe Janeway coming through the pathway. While still raw, with just five SANFL Under 18 matches under his belt, he could develop strongly.

Along with McNicol, the likes of Jake Eime (Central District), Cain Florance and Kody Shortridge (both South Adelaide) will bring leg speed to the side. Eime operates off the wing in line-breaking fashion, while the latter pair tend to do their best work up forward with scope to operate further afield.

>> Scouting Notes: 2025 SANFL U17 Futures

CLUB-TIED TALENT

Port Adelaide dominates the allegiances of club-tied talent in the South Australian squad. Cochrane and bottom-age star Zemes Pilot are headline prospects for the next two drafts, while top-ager Zackariah Young could come on nicely as a dashing defender/midfielder. All are part of the Power’s Next Generation Academy (NGA). Adelaide has access to West Adelaide forward Anthony Long via its NGA, while Eagles wingman Jack Leys is father-son eligible to Richmond.

>> MORE: The top club-tied prospects for 2026

THE FUTURE

Four members of South Australia’s 2025 Under 16 squad were named in the All-Australian side, including Sturt premiership pair Harvey Chapman and Taj Garrett. The former is a tall defender who can intercept and distribute, while the latter is a keen accumulator who can play inside or outside.

State MVP Hugo Semmler offers solid ruck depth and can learn his craft off the likes of Herbert, while Pilot shapes as the state’s top prospect for 2027, albeit a long way out. Elsewhere, Norwood midfielder Kai Ivins is as impactful as they come with his blend of explosiveness and work rate.

After having only one member in last year’s Under 18 squad, West Adelaide has two bottom-agers in this year’s edition – Laurence Andriani and Dean Hatedakis. Few can match Andriani for running power and pure numbers, while Hatedakis is a rebound defender with good leadership qualities.