Recruitment drive: South’s surge of talent
OFF-SEASONS can often be the catalyst for in-season success, and several state league clubs will hope that is the case in 2026. In a new series on Rookie Me Central, we highlight some of the most exciting recruitment drives from around the country, starting with SANFL club South Adelaide. The Panthers have an exciting crop […]
AFL Draft | State in Focus: South Australia
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. […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: South’s star midfielders
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 […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 SANFL U17 Futures Match
TEAM Blue took the chocolates in Sunday’s annual SANFL Under 17 Futures match, played as a curtain-raiser to the Reserves Grand Final at Adelaide Oval. The exhibition game showcased some of South Australia’s best 2008 and 2009-born prospects, primed for the next two AFL drafts. An entertaining opening quarter yielded the most scoring, with Team […]
SANFL U18s: Centrals keep Glenelg goalless to storm into finals
CENTRAL District has roared into the SANFL Under 18 finals series after a mammoth 140-point win over Glenelg in the ultimate home-and-away round. Needing a win or draw to secure a postseason berth, the Bulldogs kept the Bays goalless in the rampant 22.14 (146) to 0.6 (6) victory at X Convenience Oval. >> SCROLL to […]
SANFL reveals 2025 U17 Futures squad
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. >> SCROLL to see the full squad […]
Scouting Notes: Bottom-age stars see South kick away from Norwood
SOUTH Adelaide powered home with six unanswered final quarter goals to defeat Norwood by 51 points on Sunday. In what was a bottom-of-the-table Under 18s clash, the Panthers kicked ahead during the second quarter and led by 13 points at three-quarter-time before embellishing the scoreboard. A trio of bottom-aged Panthers did the damage, including five-goal […]
Scouting Notes: South falls short of Sturt upset
INACCURATE goalkicking has cost South Adelaide an upset victory over SANFL Under 18 ladder leader Sturt on Saturday, as the Panthers went down by six points at Magain Stadium. The hosts owned possession in the first half and dominated the midfield battle with 33 clearances to 19, but were unable to translate it onto the […]
Scouting Notes: Bolstered Bulldogs bounce back
CENTRAL District was challenged by a South Adelaide side that refused to go away all day, running out 15-point winners in their SANFL Under 18s clash on Sunday. The 9.13 (67) to 7.10 (52) result marked two points the Bulldogs needed to bank after an unexpected loss to West Adelaide last week. The Panthers are […]
PROFILED | The title-winning South Australian U18 squad
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 […]
