THE SANFL has revealed a 35-player Under 18 squad set to take part in this year’s National Championships. Backing up an undefeated 2025 campaign as defending champions, the South Australians will be faced with three away legs this year, including two Melbourne games in five days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are eight inclusions to the 32-man summer squad, while five players have been omitted. Among the fresh faces are two over-agers in Lincoln Pitt<\/strong> (West Adelaide) and Jack Slattery<\/strong> (Eagles). The rest of the roster consists of seven bottom-age prospects, and 26 top-agers in their conventional draft year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Six National Academy members have cemented their spots, including top pick contender Dougie Cochrane<\/a>. He is also one of five club-tied players to have made the cut, given his ties to Port Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy (NGA), but may not take part as he continues to battle knee tendinitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After its undefeated start to the AAMI Talent League season, Glenelg boasts a high of seven representatives in the side. The Bays have had small forward Ben Copping<\/a> <\/strong>and tall forward Kai Edwards<\/a> added to the state setup, adding to their previous handful of state hopefuls in the summer squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reigning Under 18 premier Sturt has contributed six players, with smooth moving midfielder Jack Nelson<\/a> and livewire forward Lachie Werts<\/a> forcing their way in. South Adelaide isn’t far behind with five players in the squad, despite three omissions, level with West Adelaide’s contribution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Croweaters will begin training on Wednesday April 22 before taking part in annual trials against the NSW\/ACT Academies and SANFL U20 side. Their championships campaign kicks off on Saturday June 13 with a clash against Western Australia in Perth, before returning home to host the Allies in Alberton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n @ Western Australia – Saturday June 13 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Central District (3): <\/strong>Dougie Cochrane, Jake Eime, Jack Gordon * – denotes bottom-age <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bottom-age (2009-born): <\/strong>7 AFL Academy: <\/strong>6 – Dougie Cochrane, Jack Gordon, Gabriel Patterson, Ethan Herbert, Kodah Edwards, Kale Matthews-Hampton IN: <\/strong>Ben Copping (Glenelg), Kai Edwards (Glenelg), Sam Tassone (North Adelaide), Hudson Boal* (South Adelaide), Jack Nelson (Sturt), Lachie Werts (Sturt), Lincoln Pitt (West Adelaide), Jack Slattery (Eagles)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nSOUTH AUSTRALIA U18 FIXTURE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
vs. Allies – Sunday June 21
@ Vic Metro – Friday July 3
@ Vic Country – Wednesday July 8<\/p>\n\n\n\n2026 SOUTH AUSTRALIA U18 SQUAD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Glenelg (7): <\/strong>Ben Copping, Harvey Croker, Kai Edwards, Harry Franz, Jobe Janeway, Jacob McNicol, Gabriel Patterson
North Adelaide (4): <\/strong>Ethan Herbert, Sam Tassone, Memphis Webb, Zackariah Young
Norwood (1): <\/strong>Kai Ivins*
South Adelaide (5): <\/strong>Hudson Boal*, Kodah Edwards, Cain Florance, Zemes Pilot*, Archie Van Dyk
Sturt (6): <\/strong>Harvey Chapman*, Taj Garrett*, Huge Jaeschke, Kale Matthews-Hampton, Jack Nelson, Lachie Werts
West Adelaide (5): <\/strong>Laurence Andriani*, Charlie Bradford, Dean Hatedakis*, Anthony Long, Lincoln Pitt**
Woodville-West Torrens (4): <\/strong>Mitchell Harris, Blake Karpany, Jack Leys, Jack Slattery**<\/p>\n\n\n\n
** – denotes over-age<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nBREAKDOWN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Top-age (2008-born): <\/strong>26
Over-age (2007-born): <\/strong>2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Club-tied: <\/strong>5 – Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide NGA), Zackariah Young (Port Adelaide NGA), Zemes Pilot (Port Adelaide NGA), Anthony Long (Adelaide NGA), Jack Leys (Richmond F\/S)<\/p>\n\n\n\n