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10 of the best success stories of players going from the Adelaide Footy League to the AFL and SANFL

The Adelaide Footy League is not only the place where anyone can get out for a kick – it’s also a pathway to the top. We've dug out 10 of the best stories of players who have gone from the amateurs to the AFL and SANFL.

Falcons claim first division one Adelaide Footy League title

From rags to riches, zeros to heroes – the Adelaide Footy League has seen its fair share of individual success stories.

The Messenger local football writer Patrick Keam has named 10 of the best from the past decade who went from the amateur competition to SANFL level and even those who broke through to the AFL.

Only players who used the Adelaide Footy League as a springboard for success were considered, not those who went through traditional pathways.

LIAM DAVIS

(Houghton Raiders to Norwood)

Former Houghton Raiders forward Liam Davis after winning a premiership with Norwood.
Former Houghton Raiders forward Liam Davis after winning a premiership with Norwood.

The story of Liam Davis is one which would give any suburban footballer hope a shot at higher honours is achievable.

The then 19-year-old forward was lining up for Houghton Districts in division six in May 2011 when he caught the eye of Redlegs coach Nathan Bassett.

Bassett was playing a one-off game for the Raiders for charity and left so impressed with Davis he took to Facebook 12 months later to invite him to train at The Parade.

“Bass wrote me a little message … but I thought someone from the club was playing a joke,” Davis told The Messenger in 2013.

“He gave me his number, I gave him a call and it all went from there.”

Davis went on to make his Redlegs debut in 2013 and tasted the ultimate SANFL success as part of Norwood’s dominant 2013 and 2014 premiership sides.

He departed the club following the 2015 season and went on to join Payneham Norwood Union, kicking 71 goals for the Falcons last season and playing a significant role in their division one flag.

JY FARRAR

(Scotch OC to Gold Coast Suns)

Jy Farrar (right) pictured with cousin and Adelaide Crows and former Scotch player Shane McAdam. Picture: Scotch Old Collegians Football Club
Jy Farrar (right) pictured with cousin and Adelaide Crows and former Scotch player Shane McAdam. Picture: Scotch Old Collegians Football Club
Jy Farrar after being drafted to the Suns. Picture: Jerad Williams
Jy Farrar after being drafted to the Suns. Picture: Jerad Williams

Rapid rises do not come much better than Jy Farrar’s journey in 2019.

The talented 23-year-old’s last game of football was in division two of the Adelaide Footy League with Scotch Old Collegians and now he is a member of the Gold Coast Suns.

Farrar’s 15 games with eighth-ranked Scotch and two appearances for Adelaide’s SANFL outfit last year were enough for the Suns’ recruiters to take him with pick 60 in November’s draft.

The 190cm utility hails from Halls Creek, in the East Kimberley Region of Western Australia.

The town has produced seven AFL-listed players including Farrar, his cousin Adelaide Crows forward Shane McAdam and rising Carlton star Sam Petrevski-Seton.

MATT EAGLES

(North Haven to Brisbane Lions)

Matt Eagles (left) sings the song with Brisbane Lions teammates Luke Hodge and Charlie Cameron. Picture: AAP/Darren England
Matt Eagles (left) sings the song with Brisbane Lions teammates Luke Hodge and Charlie Cameron. Picture: AAP/Darren England

Before he starred on Fox Footy’s The Recruit, dreadlocked big man Matt Eagles was running around for North Haven in the early 2010s.

Eagles impressed with the Largs North club and also played in underage sides for Port Magpies as well as juniors with Seaton Ramblers.

The 200cm ruckman and utility was somewhat of a journeyman, also playing for Yorke Peninsula side Pasekville, North Ballarat in the VFL and Queensland club Yeronga.

In 2016, Eagles appeared in the reality TV series the recruit and won a contract with the Brisbane Lions.

Eagles played four AFL games for the Lions in 2018 and played a key role in two premierships with the club’s NEAFL side.

SHANE McADAM

(Scotch OC to Sturt/Adelaide Crows)

Shane McAdam during pre-season training with the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed
Shane McAdam during pre-season training with the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed
McAdam on the burst for Sturt. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin
McAdam on the burst for Sturt. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin

Shane McAdam took a different road to the AFL than most aspiring prospects.

The Halls Creek product moved to SA to play with Scotch Old Collegians and dominated division two in 2017, including an 11-goal display against Broadview.

His exploits earned him a guernsey at Sturt in 2018, where the mature-age recruit put together highlight-reel worthy performances to catch the eyes of recruiters.

McAdam found his way onto Adelaide’s AFL list and capped a journey from the Halls Creek Hawks to Sturt and then the Crows in three years.

He is yet to make his AFL debut, but kicked 22 goals in 14 SANFL games last season.

CHRIS BURGESS

(Flinders Park to West Adelaide/Gold Coast Suns)

Former Flinders Park player Chris Burgess in action for the Suns against Fremantle. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Former Flinders Park player Chris Burgess in action for the Suns against Fremantle. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

In four years Chris Burgess went from playing in division two of the amateurs to making 14 appearances in his debut AFL season.

Burgess was runner up in Flinders Park’s A-grade best and fairest in 2014 at the age of 18 before attending a “come and try’’ session with the West Adelaide.

He then broke through for his league debut at the Bloods in 2016 and didn’t look back until he was picked up by Gold Coast in 2018.

WILL ABBOTT

(Old Ignatians to Norwood)

Norwood midfielder Will Abbott with his father and Roosters supporter Martin before the 2018 SANFL grand final. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe
Norwood midfielder Will Abbott with his father and Roosters supporter Martin before the 2018 SANFL grand final. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

A whirlwind 12 months in 2018 saw Will Abott go from division two with Old Ignatians to playing on Adelaide Oval in a SANFL grand final for Norwood.

Though the Redlegs lost to North Adelaide that day, a result which would have pleased his lifelong Roosters supporting father Martin, Abbott has gone on to be constant in Norwood’s midfield rotation.

“I never thought I’d be playing in a SANFL Grand Final,” Abbott said prior to the big match.

“It’s very strange, to be honest. I had actually re-signed with Old Ignatians at the end of last year.

“I was talking to the Crows development team. Then I asked my former coach Jeremy Cini for advice about playing with them and he said, ‘Why don’t you come out to Norwood and give it a crack?’

“I just decided I’d prefer to be at a club like Norwood than be a top-up player at the Crows.

“It’s funny how you can put yourself in the right position and give yourself the opportunity and things can fall into place.”

MICHAEL VIRGIN

(PHOS Camden to Glenelg)

Glenelg’s Michael Virgin scraps for the ball during last year’s grand final. Picture: Sarah Reed
Glenelg’s Michael Virgin scraps for the ball during last year’s grand final. Picture: Sarah Reed

While for some the Adelaide Footy League has provided a pathway to the SANFL, others have used it to relaunch their state league careers.

Michael Virgin was told by North Adelaide at the end of 2017 he would not even be selected for the club’s reserves.

So the Roosters junior went to PHOS Camden in 2018 to play with his brother Sam and a few mates.

His 16 games for the division two Phantoms, named in the best players 11 times, was enough for Glenelg to give him another crack at the SANFL.

Virgin went on to play his role in the Bays’ drought-breaking premiership last year.

DYLAN GAMBLE

(PHOS Camden to Sturt)

Dylan Gamble in action for PHOS Camden in the Adelaide Footy League in 2015. Picture: Sam Wundke
Dylan Gamble in action for PHOS Camden in the Adelaide Footy League in 2015. Picture: Sam Wundke
Gamble takes a strong mark against the Eagles in a finals clash at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley
Gamble takes a strong mark against the Eagles in a finals clash at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

Dylan Gamble was the cult figure who gave Sturt a spark in the 2016 finals series as it went on to win its first premiership in 14 years.

The forward’s Ned Kelly appearance and ability to take a big grab in September, despite just one league game for the club prior to the finals, quickly made him a favourite among the Double Blues’ faithful.

A three-goal performance in the qualifying final win over South Adelaide was the highlight.

Now a premiership player, Gamble also made six league appearances for Glenelg but then turned out for amateur side PHOS Camden before going out to Sturt.

BROCK CASTREE

(Prince Alfred OC to North Adelaide)

Brock Castree during the 2016 division one grand final Castree starred for the Adelaide Footy League side as they won the flag. Picture: Stephen Laffer
Brock Castree during the 2016 division one grand final Castree starred for the Adelaide Footy League side as they won the flag. Picture: Stephen Laffer
Brock Castree (right) celebrates with captain Max Thring following the final siren of the 2018 SANFL grand final. Picture: Sarah Reed
Brock Castree (right) celebrates with captain Max Thring following the final siren of the 2018 SANFL grand final. Picture: Sarah Reed

There were plenty of feel good stories out of North Adelaide’s surprise 2018 premiership triumph, including Brock Castree.

The Central District junior came through the ranks to play league football for the Dogs but gave it away and eventually landed at division one club Prince Alfred Old Collegians.

Castree was a key part of the Old Reds’ 2016 top flight flag and was named in back-to-back division one teams of the year.

He then took another shot at the SANFL at Prospect Oval with great success.

Castree was the second-highest possession winner for the Roosters as they upset Norwood to take the 2018 premiership.

He then returned to PAOC halfway through last season.

PIERCE SEYMOUR

(Payneham Norwood Union to Woodville-West Torrens/Crows SANFL)

Payneham Norwood Union premiership player Pierce Seymour signed with Woodville-West Torrens ahead of the 2020 SANFL season. Picture: Tom Huntley
Payneham Norwood Union premiership player Pierce Seymour signed with Woodville-West Torrens ahead of the 2020 SANFL season. Picture: Tom Huntley

Last September was unlike no other for Pierce Seymour.

Not only did he help Payneham Norwood Union win its first division one flag, he also graced Adelaide Oval for the Crows SANFL side during the finals.

Twice selected in amateur state team, Seymour has long been a highly-regarded defender in the Adelaide Footy League for the Falcons.

The defender featured in eight league matches as a top-up player under coach Heath Younie in Adelaide’s SANFL outfit in 2019, including the qualifying, semi and preliminary finals.

He will give the SANFL a full shot this season after joining Woodville-West Torrens.


patrick.keam@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/sport/10-of-the-best-success-stories-of-players-going-from-the-adelaide-footy-league-to-the-afl-and-sanfl/news-story/a72c3e957ee71a9c34fe28b5f036fae7