Meet the Adelaide Hills players who could follow in Tom Sparrow’s footsteps and play in an AFL grand final
From SANFL stars to local club champions, meet the local footy products who could follow in the footsteps of Hills-export and Melbourne premiership player Tom Sparrow.
Adelaide Hills
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Melbourne premiership player Tom Sparrow made history when he became the first Adelaide Hills player to win an AFL flag in almost two decades.
The midfielder-forward followed in the footsteps of fellow Hills export, the Power’s Roger James who lifted the cup in 2004.
The Dee, who played for Bridgewater Callington Football Club before moving on to Prince Alfred College and South Adelaide proved the Hills is still producing top drawer talent.
Raiders president Simon Bryars, who coached Sparrow when he first joined the club, spoke to how important the win was for Hills football ahead of the premierships player’s visit for Friday’s club Best and Fairest.
“It’s huge. It shows the kids and the guys who have already come through the Hills footy system that they can do it,” Bryars said.
“It means a lot for all the clubs and it shows we’re still developing guys who can perform on the greatest of stages.”
With the Hills clearly still producing stars of tomorrow, we’ve listed the players who are coming through or have been through the Hills system and could win an AFL premiership in the future.
Tyler Borneman
Bridgewater Callington, Sturt, on-baller
It’s only fitting to start off with Sparrow’s original club and Borneman more than fits the bill.
The tireless rover had an immense 2021 for both the Bridgewater Callington junior colts and Sturt under-16s in the SANFL.
The 16-year-old was dominant in the contest for his sixth-placed Raiders side this year, and averaged a solid 16 disposals in his debut season for Sturt.
Borneman was also the winner of the Bridgewater Callington junior colts best and fairest this year.
Taran Sanderson
Bridgewater Callington, Sturt, on-baller/forward
Runner-up to Borneman in the best and fairest, fellow midfielder Taran Sanderson is also one to watch for the future.
Slightly bigger than Borneman, Sanderson has no trouble accumulating the footy but also uses his length to strong effect, often taking big marks and intercepting opposition disposal.
He also has the ability to push up the ground and kick goals as a forward – he booted multiple for the Raiders in their campaign and averaged a goal a game for Sturt this year.
Mani Liddy
Sturt, midfielder
Liddy is seemingly on the cusp of being drafted to the AFL.
The 19-year-old mid who came through the junior ranks at Kersbrook Football Club had a strong under-18 season for Sturt in 2020 but was unfortunately overlooked when the draft rolled around.
A season on, Liddy has cemented himself as a quality option for the Double Blues’ first and reserves teams, amassing disposals and clearances each week.
He was also under-19s state vice-captain, recently recording performances of disposals in the high 20s against WA.
Eamon Wilkinson
South Adelaide, forward
After rising up the ranks at Meadows Football Club, speedy Panther Eamon Wilkinson has solidified himself as a gun forward of the SANFL.
The 20-year-old was impressive in this season’s finals series, namely against Norwood where he wreaked havoc up front with his pressure and kicked 2.2.
Wilkinson was unlucky to miss out on this year’s mid-season AFL draft due to injury but will be right back in the mix in the near future.
Caleb McCormick
Blackwood, West Adelaide, midfielder
McCormick developed his game drastically in 2021, becoming an all-round weapon for Blackwood and the West Adelaide under-16s.
He has the ability to play midfield, wing, back and also push up to hit the scoreboard on the odd occasion, something which is attractive to clubs across the state and country.
The 16-year-old was consistently in Blackwood’s best in 2021 and averaged 13 disposals, four tackles, and three inside 50s for the Bloods in the SANFL.
With a versatile game already established at 16, McCormick is undoubtedly one to keep an eye on for the future.
Callum Finlayson
Blackwood, midfielder
Callum Finlayson is a well-built midfielder who has a hunger for the contest and is unrelenting in his attack for the footy.
He, like McCormick, also boasts strong versatility with the ability to play off half-back or go forward and boot goals.
After an impressive 2021 season, Finlayson won the Adelaide Hills Football League junior colts Mail Medal as the best and fairest in the competition for his age group.
He was then selected for the Blackwood under-18s for their grand final in which they defeated Nairne Bremer United.
Ben Murphy
Mt Barker, midfielder-forward
As the best and fairest player of junior colts premier Mt Barker, 16-year-old Ben Murphy put his talent on display this year.
He starred in the middle and in a forward role for the Roos, slotting 29 goals for the season.
The rising star was also impressive in the finals, namely in his team’s prelim against Blackwood in which he dominated the contested ball and also kicked a goal.
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