{"id":124207,"date":"2023-02-07T14:45:52","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T04:45:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=124207"},"modified":"2024-02-28T14:37:58","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T04:37:58","slug":"reaching-for-the-stars-sanfl-u18-guns-and-their-archetypes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2023\/02\/07\/reaching-for-the-stars-sanfl-u18-guns-and-their-archetypes\/","title":{"rendered":"Reaching for the stars: SANFL U18 guns and their archetypes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

REACH for the stars. That’s what South Australia’s best and brightest Under 18 footballers are doing in 2023, at least if their self-selected AFL player comparisons are anything to go by. Prospects converged on Nazareth College this past Sunday, participating in their annual preseason testing event under the eye of Rookie Me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of their media duties, top-age (2005-born) talents who were named in this year’s state talent hub<\/a> hit media street, with one of the pertinent questions being which AFL stars they mould their game on or possess similar traits to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> South Australia’s top draft prospects<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli<\/strong> proved a popular choice, named thrice as a prototypical player, while South Australian natives Connor Rozee<\/strong> and Jack Lukosius<\/strong> joined Collingwood stalwart Scott Pendlebury<\/strong> and Toby Greene<\/strong> as dual nominees. Lukosius and Pendlebury were singled out as ideal models for their foot skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> SCROLL for the full list of comparisons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our pick for the best comparison came from Glenelg’s Ashton Moir<\/a>, who named Isaac Heeney<\/strong> as his archetype. The high-flying, dual-footed forward offers similar spring and match winning ability inside 50, while also proving somewhat of a tease for more midfield minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fellow AFL Academy member Jack Delean<\/a> signalled his intention to develop primarily as a forward, and moulds his game on the likes of Greene and Cody Weightman<\/strong>. West Adelaide defender Will Patton<\/a> chose Hawthorn’s Jack Scrimshaw<\/strong>, while North Adelaide midfielder Kane McAuliffe<\/a> was ambitious with his three-pronged selection of Luke Hodge<\/strong>, Sam Mitchell<\/strong> and Patrick Dangerfield<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jack Delean compares himself to Toby Greene and Cody Weightman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A unique answer among the bunch was that of Hawthorn father-son candidate Will McCabe<\/a>. Able to play at either end of the ground, the Central District swingman draws inspiration from Jacob Weitering<\/strong> in defence and Jack Gunston<\/strong> up forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the 32 players surveyed, only two named retirees as models for their own game – McAuliffe, and Northern Territory native Orlando Turner<\/a>, who singled out Cyril Rioli<\/strong>. Meanwhile, Eli Redman<\/strong> went with Demon duo Christian Petracca<\/strong> and Clayton Oliver<\/strong>, leaving Glenelg teammate Bodie Ryan<\/strong> to choose his brother, Mason<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2023 SANFL Under 18 season gets underway on Saturday March 25, the same weekend as the recently rebranded Coates Talent League<\/a> launches in Victoria. Elsewhere, budding draft prospects will also be in action as the new WAFL season bounces down on April 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SANFL U18 PLAYER COMPARISONS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jed Dignan (North Adelaide) – Marcus Bontempelli
Tom Wheaton (South Adelaide) – Marcus Bontempelli\/Patrick Cripps
Luca Slade (Sturt) – Marcus Bontempelli\/Scott Pendlebury
Callum Fairall (Woodville-West Torrens) – Scott Pendlebury\/Nick Daicos
Jack Delean (South Adelaide) – Toby Greene\/Cody Weightman
Will Rowlands (Norwood) – Toby Greene
Loch Rawlinson (Sturt) – Connor Rozee
Max Downs (West Adelaide) – Connor Rozee
Ted Newman (Sturt) – Jack Lukosius\/Tom Stewart
Harry Francis (Glenelg) – Jack Lukosius
Liam Fawcett (Central District) – Tom Lynch\/Jeremy Cameron
Jayden Matz (Central District) – Max Gawn\/Brodie Grundy
Will McCabe (Central District) – Jacob Weitering\/Jack Gunston
Trent Tattoli (Central District) – Sam Walsh
Ashton Moir (Glenelg) – Isaac Heeney
Bowen Payne (Glenelg) – Andrew Gaff
Eli Redman (Glenelg) – Clayton Oliver\/Christian Petracca
Ben Ridgway (Glenelg) – Jack Steele
Bodie Ryan (Glenelg) – Mason Redman
Luke Harvey (North Adelaide) – Darcy Byrne-Jones
Kane McAuliffe (North Adelaide) – Luke Hodge\/Sam Mitchell\/Patrick Dangerfield
Logan Evans (Norwood) – Jordan Dawson
Brayden Rachwal (Norwood) – Bailey Fritsch
Orlando Turner (Norwood) – Cyril Rioli
Fraser Greaves (Sturt) – Sam Draper\/Toby Nankervis
Alex Holt (Sturt) – Jack Crisp
Chad Reschke (Sturt) – Charlie Dixon
Jack Oates (West Adelaide) – Harris Andrews
Will Patton (West Adelaide) – Jack Scrimshaw
Riley Davey (Woodville-West Torrens) – Xavier Duursma
Oscar Pearce (Woodville-West Torrens) – Tom Doedee
Patrick Weckert (Woodville-West Torrens) – Charlie Curnow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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