{"id":180679,"date":"2025-02-19T15:38:25","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T05:38:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=180679"},"modified":"2025-02-19T15:38:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T05:38:27","slug":"crows-the-club-of-choice-among-sanfl-academy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/02\/19\/crows-the-club-of-choice-among-sanfl-academy\/","title":{"rendered":"Crows the club of choice among SANFL Academy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ADELAIDE Crows proved a popular choice among the SANFL Under 18 State Academy members when posed the question of which AFL club they support. Surveying all 25 top-agers in the summer squad, seven still support the West Lakes side, with 10 overall pledging allegiances at one point in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among them is Woodville-West Torrens prospect Jack Cook<\/a>, whose father Tim<\/em><\/strong> played eight games in two years at the Crows. His connection to West Lakes remains strong having joined the Crows\u2019 physical performance staff as a physiotherapist. It meant Jack’s decision was a fairly straightforward one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> AFL DRAFT:<\/strong> SANFL prospects pick their breakout contenders<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Adelaide defender Elliott Duffield<\/a> (North Melbourne) and Eagles forward Logan Hughes<\/a> (Brisbane) switched loyalties, while Norwood’s Jim Kelly<\/a> started favouring Port Adelaide once his father began working there, only to now also follow Sydney after Redleg Ned Bowman<\/strong> was drafted to the Swans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duffield’s choice was made at the Royal Adelaide Show, where he intended to pick out a St Kilda showbag, only for them to be sold out. The decision was made for him with a selection of North Melbourne goodies still available, confirming a point of difference to his Adelaide-supporting family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hughes, meanwhile, was a huge Charlie Cameron<\/strong> fan growing up, so followed him into the maroon, blue and gold in 2017. In a similar vein, Jevan Phillipou<\/a> tends to follow only his brother Mattaes<\/strong> in the top flight and enjoys watching St Kilda. He used to support Sydney, and prefers the Port side of Adelaide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> AFL DRAFT:<\/strong> Sharp firms as top choice among peers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sam Cumming training in Port Adelaide colours | Image Credit: Port Adelaide FC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A further four prospects also said they barrack for Port Adelaide, including National Academy member Harley Barker<\/a>. The Sturt wingman admitted a growing fondness for North Melbourne due to the Roos’ exciting young list, but models his game off athletic Port defender Miles Bergman<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family ties gave Richmond and Sydney some representation among the group. Tigers father-son candidate Louis Kellaway<\/a> will look to follow in the footsteps of father Duncan and uncle Andrew to Punt Road, while Noah Roberts-Thomson<\/a>‘s cousin Lewis<\/em><\/strong> was a two-time premiership player at the Swans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those two interstate clubs had several nominations, along with two each to Hawthorn and Essendon. Mildura native Sam Cumming<\/a> cited local products playing for the Hawks as a factor, while Dyson Sharp<\/a> became a Bomber after learning of his namesake Dyson Heppell<\/em><\/strong>, who debuted when Sharp was five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRESEASON Q&As:<\/strong>
Harley Barker<\/a> 
Matthew LeRay<\/a> 
Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier<\/a>
Jevan Phillipou<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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