TOP 5s | 2026 South Australian Preseason Testing
A BUNCH of South Australian state academy members have impressed at the recent preseason testing combine, as several prospects featured across the leaderboards. Though, it was Eagles top-ager Hunter Rowe who stole the show with a high of three top-five finishes out of the handful of events. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for […]
Croweaters keen to keep tabs on speedster
SOUTH Australia’s state academy members have been buoyed by the progression of Central District speedster Jake Eime, who was a common answer to the question ‘which teammate should we look out for to have a big year?’. Eime’s name popped up several times as all 25 top-agers were surveyed. >> MORE: State teammates single Steed […]
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 […]
2026 Player Focus: Demi Holloway (Central District)
CENTRAL District top-ager Demi Holloway was one of the Dogs’ most impressive players in their Round 1 thrashing of Glenelg in the newly named AAMI Talent League, The smart and tenacious forward had a day out, amassing 25 disposals, laying eight tackles and booting two goals to be our Player Focus for the round. With […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Polly Turner
ONE OF a number of talked about father-daughter prospects for 2026, Polly Turner has ties to both Adelaide and Carlton through her dad Peter, but the North Adelaide tall is set on forging her own path regardless of outcome. Turner has spent time up both ends of the ground, and after really focusing on football […]
Preseason Q&A: Gabriel Patterson (Glenelg)
FEW PROSPECTS catch the eye like Glenelg speedster Gabriel Patterson. The flashy forward burst onto the scene last year with 28 goals in 13 games for the Bays, including a haul of seven. Collingwood fans may see him as the one that got away, given his father Stephen fell four games short of granting father-son […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Hope Taylor
TALENTED South Australian Hope Taylor came on in leaps and bounds last season, holding her place in South Adelaide’s premiership side and impressing up forward for the Croweaters. A smart and skilful ball user, Taylor has plenty of upside and is one to watch in 2026. We spoke to Taylor at the recent South Australian […]
SANFLW U18s Round 1: Dogs deliver brutal blow
CENTRAL District put a full-strength Under 18s side out on the park and duly delivered the four points in the inaugural round of the AAMI Talent League on Saturday. The Dogs team – which included a National Academy member and a further five players who have made their League debuts – demolished Glenelg in a […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Layla Vizgaudis
SOUTH Adelaide dual premiership youngster Layla Vizgaudis is eyeing off more success in 2026, with the talented midfielder capable of winning the ball inside or outside. She not only tasted success with the Panthers at SANFLW level, but also represented her state at the national championships and is one of a number of draft hopes […]
2026 SANFLW 15 to Watch: #1 Emma Charlton
ANOTHER season of SANFL Women’s action is just around the corner, and while the league year is a little later than usual, South Australian footy fans have the brand new AAMI Talent League to look forward to starting February 28. As has become an annual tradition for Rookie Me Central, we name our top juniors […]
2026 SANFLW 15 to Watch: #2 Taya Maxwell
ANOTHER season of SANFL Women’s action is just around the corner, and while the league year is a little later than usual, South Australian footy fans have the brand new AAMI Talent League to look forward to starting February 28. As has become an annual tradition for Rookie Me Central, we name our top juniors […]
2026 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Dougie Cochrane
WIDELY viewed as one of the two leading pick one contenders coming into 2026, 17 clubs will be ruing Dougie Cochrane‘s ties to Port Adelaide. The 17-year-old was approved for Next Generation Academy (NGA) status in November last year on account of his indigenous heritage. >> SCROLL for player highlights Cochrane is a well known […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Miyu Endersby
CENTRAL District tall Miyu Endersby has the balance of athleticism and versatility that catch the eye, while boasting a powerful kick wherever she goes. Capable of playing half-back and through the ruck, Endersby looms as one of the top South Australian prospects in the 2026 AFLW Draft. We spoke to Endersby at the recent South […]
TOP 5s | 2026 South Australian Preseason Testing
A BUNCH of South Australian state academy members have impressed at the recent preseason testing combine, as several prospects featured across the leaderboards. Though, it was Eagles top-ager Hunter Rowe who stole the show with a high of three top-five finishes out of the handful of events. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for […]
Croweaters keen to keep tabs on speedster
SOUTH Australia’s state academy members have been buoyed by the progression of Central District speedster Jake Eime, who was a common answer to the question ‘which teammate should we look out for to have a big year?’. Eime’s name popped up several times as all 25 top-agers were surveyed. >> MORE: State teammates single Steed […]
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 […]
