Norwood bolsters senior SANFL squad with 12 Rostrevor College alumni

A college footy juggernaut is making its presence felt in the SANFL, with 12 senior Norwood players all hailing from the same school.

A South Australian college will be well represented during the 2022 SANFL season, with 12 of its alumni suiting up for the same club.

Matt Panos, Xavier Tranfa, Cam Taheny, Ben Jarvis, Charles Kemp, Jacob Kennerley, Ned Carey, Matthew Dnistriansky, Stefan Lanzoni, Pierce Seymour, Josh Richards and Cam Ball have come through the Rostrevor College system and will all play for Norwood this year.

Each player, from star veteran Panos to former AFL player Taheny, has a different level of professional experience but have bonded through their college.

Taheny, returning to the Redlegs from the Geelong Cats this year, said cohesion would not be an issue for the senior SANFL side.

Rostrevor College alumni (back from left) Cam Taheny, Pierce Seymour, Ben Jarvis, Matthew Panos, Jacob Kennerley, Matthew Dnitriasky, Cam Ball, (front from left) Charles Kemp, Xavier Tranfa, Josh Richards and Stefan Lanzoni will all suit up for the Redlegs in 2022 (Ned Carey not present). Picture: John W Emery

“It’s nice to see a large group of us competing at the highest level behind AFL,” Taheny said.

“I personally take a lot of pride in so many of us reaching this level and it’s really nice for all of us to have schoolmates around the club.”

Taheny, who played alongside players like Kennerley and Lanzoni in college, and entered the AFL alongside Kennerley and Jarvis, said the bonds would have a positive impact on the field.

“Strong bonds already make transitioning into Norwood a lot easier on a social and performance level,” he said.

Cam Taheny has returned to Norwood after spending time at Geelong. Picture: Peter Ristevski

“When Jacob Kennerley or Stef Lanzoni have the ball, I know their habits and strengths and already have a connection and chemistry that was formed during our college years.”

Rostrevor has produced a trend of top-level success and talent in recent years, with Tranfa winning the college best and fairest in 2020 and Lanzoni winning the cricket MVP at the school.

The connection between the college and Norwood has also strengthened after former Norwood premiership player, coach and three-time Magarey Medallist James Allan joined the school as its football director and head coach.

Former Norwood champion James Allan has taken Rostrevor’s footy program to new heights since joining the college. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Taheny credited Rostrevor for helping to shape his future as an athlete.

“Playing at Rostrevor and being surrounded by top talent really allowed us to push each other and compete at a high standard,” he said.

“It shaped us into the footballers we are now and, more importantly, the people we are off the field.

“It’s good to see Rostrevor continue this trend and Jimmy investing time in the footy program to give more Rossi boys the opportunity we have at Norwood.”