Countdown: Messenger’s top 10 players in the First XVIII college football competition
Messenger’s local sport reporter Daniela Abbracciavento has selected her top 10 First XVIII college footy players. Did your school mates make the cut? Did she get it right? SEE THE LIST.
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The Messenger Shield college football competition is coming to an end with the final minor round set for this weekend.
A trio of hotly-contested intercol clashes top the billing, including Rostrevor’s encounter with Sacred Heart which will be live streamed on advertiser.com.au on Saturday (2.15pm).
Ahead of the campaign conclusion, Messenger local sport reporter Daniela Abbracciavento has selected her top 10 First XVIII players.
The decisions were made based on each player’s 2020 form and conversations with coaches, but we had the final call.
Check out the list and let us know – have we nailed it or missed the mark?
#10 ETHAN SCHWERDT
Team: Pembroke
Schwerdt has been Pembroke’s best this campaign, after making his return to the side from a knee injury sustained while training with Norwood’s under-18 side.
The outside midfielder’s elite running capacity has been on show this season and his work around the contest has also improved.
#9 ANTONIO JAMES
Team: Westminster
James has been likened to Port Adelaide premiership star and Norm Smith Medallist Byron Picket due to his strength, hard attack on the ball and strong skills.
The 17-year-old, who moved to Adelaide from Darwin, can do damage across half-back with his accurate kicking skills or in the midfield with his speed.
The on-baller still has one more year before he is eligible to be drafted to an AFL club and is likely to have more recruiters’ eyes on him in 2021.
#8 XAVIER TRANFA
Team: Rostrevor
The Rostrevor skipper, who is also part of Norwood’s under-18 squad, has been super strong in the midfield for his side this year.
Tranfa is an inside on-baller who works hard to win every contest, making him one of the best in the competition.
The youngster also has a thumping kick, according to coach James Allan, and has proven his ability to stand up in big moments.
#7 MATTHEW ROBERTS
Team: St Peter’s
A smooth mover with a wonderful left foot, the midfielder/forward has been solid for third-placed St Peter’s this campaign.
Roberts uses his strong frame to win the clearances and also gives his teammates an option on the outside with the way he positions himself.
The youngster has given opposition midfielders trouble this year with his skill, football smarts and ability to hit the scoreboard.
#6 RILEY HOLDER
Team: Sacred Heart
He started as a forward with state underage squads and Glenelg’s juniors, but due to Hearts’ lack of size this year Holder has played as a ruck/tall midfielder.
Coach Jon Symonds reckons the 190cm rising star will eventually become a big-bodied midfielder, as he can win the ball well at ground level.
Holder has been able to move into the forward 50 to kick goals this season, while competing well in the ruck.
He has missed the past few games due to injury, but was expected to play in the intercol against Rostrevor this Saturday.
#5 XAVIER ROBINS
Team: Sacred Heart
Robins has featured in Hearts’ best players in all seven matches this season and opposition coaches have made comments about the headaches he’s given their players.
The defender/midfielder has elite running capacity, both with distance and sprinting.
He also gets a lot of the footy and uses it well with run and carry.
Robins’ form has attracted interest from AFL recruiters after being invited to test at the national draft combine this month.
#4 JAMES HIGGINS
Team: St Peter’s
The St Peter’s skipper leads from the front on and off the field, and his ability to lift his teammates sets him apart.
But Higgins’ hunt for the football and desire to never be beaten in a contest has also helped him shine this season.
The Norwood under-18 midfielder can swing a games’ momentum in Saints’ favour.
His work ethic can never be questioned and that has sped up his development.
#3 LUKE PEDLAR
Team: Prince Alfred
The Prince Alfred skipper has missed the past three Messenger Shield games because of a knee injury, but he has been the driving force behind the Reds’ undefeated 2020 campaign.
Pedlar is a tough inside midfielder who can play half-forward when needed.
He has booted nine goals this season and isn’t afraid to put his body on the line to win the contested ball.
The 182cm, 82kg talent has shone after returning from a shoulder reconstruction in 2018 and is one of 20 SA products headed to the national combine.
#2 MALACHY CARRUTHERS
Team: St Peter’s
Not much separates Carruthers from top-ranking in our countdown in terms of pure football ability.
Although the 17-year-old utility has predominantly played half-back, St Peter’s coach Sam Elliott has moved him into the forward line when his team has needed a spark.
Carruthers has the ability to change the direction of a game with his desperate defensive work and hard tackling, while making the hardest kick for goal look simple.
His versatility has attracted interest from AFL clubs after also being invited to the combine.
#1 JAMES BORLASE
Team: Prince Alfred
It is hard to go past the son of a Port Adelaide premiership captain Darryl Borlase and Crows Next Generation Academy member as the competition’s best player.
Borlase can play at either full back or full forward and has starred at either end of the ground for the three-time Messenger Shield champions.
At 191cm and 88kg, the utility has strong hands and rarely gets out marked.
He’s also accurate in front of the big sticks, kicking nine majors so far this season.
Borlase has missed the past two college games due to lining up with Sturt in the SANFL, having made his league debut in round 10.
Not surprisingly, he is another set to test at the national combine.