Messenger Shield: 10 college footy players and AFL draft prospects to watch in 2019
Messenger Community News has spoken to college footy coaches to identify 10 schoolboy footballers to watch in the 2019 Messenger Shield competition when it begins this Saturday.
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The state’s top young football talents are set to battle once again for the Messenger Shield when college footy returns for another season this Saturday.
Messenger Community News has spoken to coaches to identify 10 of the best schoolboy footballers to watch in the 2019 college competition, in no particular order.
Unsurprisingly, six-time Messenger Shield champions Prince Alfred dominates the top-end talent with a handful of players in contention for the AFL draft at the end of the season, while traditional powerhouses Rostrevor and Sacred Heart are also stocked with emerging players.
KYSAIAH PICKETT
Prince Alfred College
Kysaiah Pickett – the nephew of Port Adelaide Norm Smith Medallist Byron Pickett – has no shortage of highlight-reel material already in his young career.
The 170cm livewire is a constant threat up forward and has shown a penchant for high-flying grabs.
“He’s an electric talent, a fantastic ball handler and has the ability to do the exciting – both on the ground and in the air,” PAC coach Marty McKinnon says.
“He’s a real eye-catching player.”
Pickett, 17, already has two SANFL league games under his belt with Woodville-West Torrens and also booted six goals in his first reserves outing.
KARL FINLAY
Prince Alfred College
Strongly built and adept in the air, defender Karl Finlay will captain PAC this season.
Finlay was identified as one of the best under-17 players in the country last year when he was selected in an all-stars futures match, which was a curtain-raiser to the AFL grand final on the MCG.
Hailing from Quorn in the state’s north, the 192cm, 87kg key defender also plays under-18 football for North Adelaide.
“Karl is a very strong defender and is really strong in the air,” McKinnon says.
“He was terrific for us last year and we expect him to do the same this year.”
KAINE BALDWIN
Westminster School
Key forward Kaine Baldwin looms as a promising prospect out of Westminster after he was named in the 2018 All-Australian under-16 side.
The Glenelg product, who made his reserves debut for the Tigers in March, is a bottom age under-18 this year who is known for his contested marking ability.
The centre-half forward will be crucial when lining up for Westminster this season.
CAMERON TAHENY
Rostrevor College
Cameron Taheny had already been talked about as a draft prospect this season and enhanced his credentials even further with three goals on his SANFL league debut for Norwood this season.
Rostrevor coach Ron Fuller says the 17-year old is a standout talent.
From Cleve on the Eyre Peninsula, Taheny has excelled as a half-forward but can also play across half-back.
He kicked eight goals against West Adelaide in the under-18s last season as a bottom-ager.
ANZAC LOCHOWIAK
Rostrevor College
Anzac Lochowiak burst onto the college footy scene with seven goals and several spectacular grabs in his first XVIII debut for Rostrevor.
A Sturt product and member of the SA AFL Academy, Lochowiak stands 182cm and 84kg.
Lochowiak, the younger brother of fellow Double Blue and Rostrevor graduate Mihail Lochowiak, has shown composure and flair in his young career.
WILL DAY
Sacred Heart College
The versatile and athletic Will Day should be an important cog for Sacred Heart because of his ability to play multiple positions.
He displayed his physical prowess at pre-season testing of the SA academy hub in March, finishing in the top 10 in vertical leap, the 20m sprint and the yoyo test.
“Will is coming off a very good year last year,” Sacred Heart coach Jon Symonds says.
“He plays half-back, key back and will spend time on the ball.”
The West Adelaide product stands at 187cm and 70kg.
ZAC DUMESNY
Sacred Heart College
Zac Dumesny is a Year 12 at Sacred Heart but has been selected in the state under-18 squad as a bottom-ager.
He also features for South Adelaide’s under-18s and possesses plenty of poise and class, especially around goal.
“He’ll be an important player for us this season as a mobile forward,” coach Symonds says.
SAM LIAMBIS
St Michael’s College
Sam Liambis looms as one of the most important players for St Michael’s and is one of a number of Year 12s at the school who has already had a taste of first XVIII footy.
The onballer will be one of his side’s leaders and also features in the under-18 leadership group at Glenelg, where he is highly regarded.
“He’s a quality midfielder and will be an important component for us this year,” St Michael’s coach Ben Mesisca says.
“Sam has put in a lot of work on himself and his game since last season.”
HENRY NELLIGAN
St Peter’s College
A key member of Norwood’s under-18 program Henry Nelligan was one of SA’s top performers at last year’s national under-16 championships.
New St Peter’s coach and director of football Sam Elliot said the Year 12 student would be a strong performer for Saints on the inside and outside of the midfield.
SAM WORMALD
Immanuel College
Sam Wormald starred for Immanuel in 2018 and won the school’s best and fairest as a Year 11 – an impressive feat.
Now, with a full year of first XVIII footy under his belt, Immanuel coach Troy Clements expects Wormald to lead the way in the midfield.
He is also a member of Glenelg’s under-18s.
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