SA’s top AFL breeding grounds for 2023 revealed

We’ve matched every SA AFL player with their local club ahead of tonight’s AFL season opener. See which SA clubs are the biggest breeding grounds for national talent.

The 2023 AFL season has finally arrived and South Australia is yet again well-represented throughout the competition.

We’ve matched all 90 SA AFL players with their local SA clubs ahead of the first bounce tonight to reveal the state’s best breeding grounds for 2023.

See how your club stacks up below.

GOODWOOD (five)

Harry Barnett (West Coast), Oscar Steene (Collingwood), Riley Bonner (Port Adelaide), Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide), Will Snelling (Essendon)

Adelaide Crows' highest ever draft pick Riley Thilthorpe in his Goodwood Saints footy gear as a junior. Picture: Supplied by Thilthorpe family

Young rucks Harry Barnett and Oscar Steene have been selected to West Coast and Collingwood respectively for debut seasons this year, making it five Goodwood prospects currently on an AFL list.

Riley Thilthorpe will enter his third season at the Crows and is an important piece for the club moving forward, while Riley Bonner and Will Snelling look set for strong campaigns at Port Adelaide and Essendon.

WALKERVILLE (five)

Billy Dowling (Adelaide) (also played some junior football at Imperial FC, River Murray), Callum Wilkie (St Kilda), Dylan Stephens (Sydney), Jackson Hately (Adelaide), Will Hayward (Sydney)

Sydney’s Will Hayward during his rookie year. Picture: AAP Image/Paul Miller

Taken with the 43rd pick in this season’s national draft, promising midfielder Billy Dowling looks an intriguing piece for the Crows moving forward, while fellow mid Jackson Hately has continued to make a case for more playing time.

Dylan Stephens showed huge potential in his 2022 season along the flanks as Sydney made its way to the grand final, while skilled forward Will Hayward also continues to shine at the Swans.

HENLEY (four)

Brodie Smith (Adelaide), Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast), Kaine Baldwin (Essendon), Luke Edwards (West Coast)

Henley Sharks and Henley High School product Brodie Smith in 2008 school footy action. Picture: Neale Winter

With 225 AFL games under his belt, star Adelaide flanker Brodie Smith has been Henley’s most successful export in recent seasons.

The versatile Jack Lukosius has also established himself as one of Gold Coast’s most important young players.

MITCHAM (four)

Charlie Ballard (Gold Coast), Jed McEntee (Port Adelaide), Lewis Young (Carlton), Sam Day (Gold Coast)

Mitcham junior and Gold Coast veteran Sam Day. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos

Forward-ruck utility Sam Day will make his 150 AFL game milestone if he registers seven appearances for Gold Coast this season.

Promising 23-year-old key defender Charlie Ballard has also continued to make waves at the Suns, playing 72 games for the club since being drafted in 2018.

PAYNEHAM NORWOOD UNION (four)

James Aish (Fremantle), Orazio Fantasia (Fremantle), Tom Jonas (Port Adelaide), Tom Emmett (Fremantle)

Two players for Fremantle and two for Port Adelaide, PNU haas had no issue developing top level talent throughout recent years.

James Aish has been an AFL journeyman throughout his time in the league, while gun defender Tom Jonas remains Port Adelaide’s captain.

PORT DISTRICT (four)

Andrew McPherson (Adelaide), Jase Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne), Nathan Barkla (Port Adelaide)

Port District and Woodville-West Torrens product Kysaiah 'Kozzy' Pickett has become one of the AFL' s top forward. Picture: SANFL

Melbourne excitement machine Kysaiah ‘Kozzy’ Pickett has established himself as one of the most promising small forwards in the competition since being drafted in 2020, booting 88 goals in 62 games and winning the 2021 premiership with the Demons.

Andrew McPherson has also made an initial mark with Adelaide, sliding in and out of the Crows’ backline through 2022.

PHOS CAMDEN (three)

Mattaes Phillipou (St Kilda), Ryan Burton (Port Adelaide), Will Day (Hawthorn)

Former PHOS Camden junior and current Port Adelaide defender Ryan Burton wearing Power gear at age nine. Picture: File

Mattaes Phillipou was South Australia’s highest picked player in the recent national draft, with the Saints taking him at number 10 overall.

A big bodied young midfielder who can also move up front and have an impact, Phillipou has been touted as the next big thing for St Kilda.

Hawthorn and Port Adelaide defender Ryan Burton has been the major player out of PHOS Camden in recent years, playing 117 AFL games so far.

TEA TREE GULLY (three)

Cooper Murley (Collingwood), Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs), Jack Graham (Richmond)

Richmond midfielder Jack Graham. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

2017 premiership player Jack Graham will play his seventh AFL season this year, the Tea Tree Gully midfielder currently sitting on 97 games played for the Tigers.

Midfielder Cooper Murley enters his second season with Collingwood, while ruck/utility Jordon Sweet remains with the Bulldogs.

UNLEY (three)

Brodie Grundy (Melbourne), Callum Coleman-Jones (North Melbourne), James Borlase (Adelaide)

Former Sturt and Unley gun Brodie Grundy. Picture: File

A 177-game player and dual All-Australian, new Melbourne ruck Brodie Grundy has been the best AFL export for the Unley Mercedes Jets.

Grundy has been tipped to be a significant boost for the Demons as they look to bounce back in 2023, while young forward Callum Coleman-Jones will be a solid option up front for the Kangaroos.

James Borlase has also continued his development nicely at the Crows and could be an option as a tall defender in 2023.

ANGASTON (two)

Rhett Montgomerie (Essendon), Shannon Hurn (West Coast)

Angaston legend Shannon Hurn before being drafted to West Coast. Picture: File

Shannon Hurn will incredibly play an 18th season in the AFL in 2023, his 10th year as West Coast captain.

The Angaston icon has been one of the best defenders of the modern era and led the Eagles to a premiership in 2018.

BLACKWOOD (two)

Harry Lemmey (Carlton), Henry Smith (Brisbane)

Harry Lemmey kicks at goal during Carlton training. Picture: Michael Klein

Hills Football League club Blackwood will have two representatives in the AFL this season after Harry Lemmey was taken with the 47th pick by the Blues.

Lemmey joins fellow Woods key position player Henry Smith – who remains on Carlton’s list – in the competition for 2023.

BRIGHTON (two)

Bailey Williams (Wetern Bulldogs), Jakob Ryan (Collingwood)

Former Glenelg and Brighton defender Jakob Ryan was drafted to the Magpies in 2022. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

A standout club at developing youth in SA, Brighton will see two of its former players in the AFL this year after talented defender Jakob Ryan was drafted number 28 in the national draft by Collingwood.

Reliable Bulldogs defender Bailey Williams will take the field for his club for the seventh season this year and sits just two games away from the 100-mark.

CHRISTIES BEACH (two)

Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide), Will Verrall (Melbourne)

South Adelaide and Christies Beach product Jason Horne-Francis (middle, right) as a youngster at the Panthers. Picture: South Adelaide Football Club

2021 number one pick Jason Horne-Francis played his junior years at Christies Beach and is set to make a major impact at Port Adelaide after being traded to the club by North Melbourne last year.

Young ruck Will Verrall will continue at Melbourne this year after being picked up in the 2022 Rookie Draft.

FLINDERS PARK (two)

Chris Burgess (Gold Coast), Izak Rankine (Adelaide)

Henley High School and Flinders Park gun Izak Rankine (right) with Jack Lukosius. Picture: Matt Turner

Rankine’s arrival at Adelaide marks one of the biggest off-season signings in the AFL along with Jason Horne-Francis’ move to Port Adelaide, with the Flinders Park, Henley High School and West Adelaide product set to spark the club’s forwardline.

Other Reds product Chris Burgess will enter his fifth year on Gold Coast’s list.

GOLDEN GROVE (two)

Corey Durdin (Carlton) (also played some junior footy for Gaza), Trent Dumont (Port Adelaide)

Corey Durdin (left) played for both Gaza and Golden Grove growing up in SA. Picture: File

Durdin exploded on to the scene for Carlton in 2022, playing 21 games and kicking 15 goals as a medium forward and should produce another solid season for the Blues in 2023.

121-game player Trent Dumont enters his ninth AFL season and his second with Port Adelaide after playing eight games for the Power last year.

LUCINDALE (two)

Darcy Fogarty (Adelaide), Will Gould (Sydney)

Darcy Fogarty at home on his family farm at Marcollat (near Lucindale). Picture: Sarah Reed

Lucindale favourite Darcy Fogarty experienced his breakout season for the Crows in 2022, booting 33 goals in 17 games as an important key forward, and has been tipped to have another big year.

Fellow Lucindale and Glenelg prospect Will Gould remains at Sydney for 2023 and will be in contention for playing time as the club looks to bounce back from its 2022 grand final loss.

PLYMPTON (two)

Alex Neal-Bullen (Melbourne), John Noble (Collingwood)

Neal-Bullen in action for Melbourne last season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A premiership player with Melbourne who has registered 128 appearances and counting in the AFL, Plympton product Alex Neal-Bullen will compete in his ninth AFL season this year.

Neal-Bullen is a consistent midfielder who can move up the ground and kick goals and has been one of the Demons’ most reliable players.

PORTLAND (two)

Michael Frederick (Fremantle), Tyson Stengle (Geelong)

Stengle at the 2016 AFL draft combine. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Portland has helped to produce two of the most exciting forwards currently in the AFL, with both Frederick and Stengle experiencing strong seasons at Fremantle and Geelong respectively in 2022.

Stengle was one of the best small forward in the competition, kicking 53 goals and being selected All-Australian on his way to a premiership with the Cats.

SOUTH AUGUSTA (two)

Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide), Isaac Keeler (St Kilda)

Isaac Keeler (back, middle) as a junior at South Augusta. Picture: South Augusta Football Club

Rozee – junior at South Augusta – was selected All-Australian as a midfielder in 2022 after a spectacular season for Port Adelaide and should again be one of the Power’s top players this year.

He is joined in the league by fellow South Augusta product Isaac Keeler, a dynamic forward and ruck and one of the top prospects out of South Australia.

SOUTH CLARE (two)

Lachy McNeil (Western Bulldogs), Luke Dunstan (Melbourne)

Luke Dunstan as an U13 SA state player. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Taken in the 2020 Rookie Draft, McNeil has played 29 games for the Bulldogs as an onballer and the 21-year-old is set to add to that tally this year.

Luke Dunstan, also out of South Clare, moved from St Kilda to Melbourne last season and has played in over 100 AFL games so far.

SCOTCH OC (three)

Ash Johnson (Collingwood), Jy Farrar (Gold Coast), Shane McAdam (Adelaide)

Scotch Old Collegians footballers Ash Johnson (left), Shane McAdam (middle) and Jy Farrar. Picture: Scotch OC Football Club

Johnson experienced a long pathway into the AFL but the former Scotch OC and Sturt player was an integral forward for Collingwood in the latter part of the 2022 season and in the club’s finals campaign.

He and former Scotch OC forward Shane McAdam should both have a significant impact at the Magpies and Crows this year.

WUDINNA UNITED (two)

Harrison Petty (Melbourne), Phoenix Foster (Geelong)

Phoenix Foster. Geelong unveiled its draftees plus Oisin Mullin at GMHBA Stadium on Monday. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong ruck and forward utility joined Harry Petty as one of two AFL players out of Wudinna United after being picked up by the Cats in last year’s draft.

The prospect will look to make a similar mark at Geelong as Petty has at Melbourne, the 23-year-old becoming a premiership defender in 2021.

The following local SA footy clubs currently have one player on an AFL list:

ANGLE VALE – Leek Aleer (GWS)

ATHELSTONE - Alastair Lord (Essendon)

BALAKLAVA – Jacob Wehr (GWS)

BERRI – Rhys Stanley (Geelong)

BRIDGEWATER-CALLINGTON – Tom Sparrow (Melbourne)

Melbourne premiership player Tom Sparrow in action for Bridgewater-Callington in the HFL. Picture: Supplied, Michael Sparrow

BROUGHTON-MUNDOORA – George Hewett (Carlton)

BUTE-PASKEVILLE (since disbanded) – Lachie Jones (Port Adelaide)

CRYSTAL BROOK – Hugh Jackson (Port Adelaide)

EDWARDSTOWN – Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)

FLAGSTAFF HILL – Josh Bruce (Western Bulldogs)

GAZA – Corey Durdin (Carlton)

GEPPS CROSS – Oleg Markov (Collingwood)

GLENUNGA – Max Michalanney (Adelaide)

Former Glenunga junior Max Michalanney is set to make his mark at the Crows in 2023. Picture: Glenunga Football Club

HAPPY VALLEY – Brayden Cook (Adelaide)

IMPERIALS – Chad Wingard (Hawthorn)

INGLE FARM – Wayne Milera (Adelaide)

KENILWORTH – Rory Laird (Adelaide)

KINGSTON – Luke Pedlar (Adelaide)

LANGHORNE CREEK – Matt Roberts (Sydney)

LOCKLEYS – Thomas Scully (Port Adelaide)

LOXTON NORTH – Aaron Francis (Sydney)

Aaron Francis in 2015. Picture: Calum Robertson

MARION – Nasaiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda)

MCLAREN – Kyle Marshall (Port Adelaide)

MILLICENT – Mason Redman (Essendon)

MINTARO MANOORA – Harry Schoenberg (Adelaide)

MORPHETTVILLE PARK – Phoenix Spicer (North Melbourne)

MUNDULLA – Mitch Hinge (Adelaide)

MYPONGA-SELLICKS – Jaiden Magor (Sydney)

NORTH GAMBIER – Brad Close (Geelong)

REYNELLA – Sam Draper (Essendon)

ROBE – Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)

Robe product and new Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson will aim to lead the Crows back to the finals in 2023. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

SALISBURY – Sam Lemmens (Gold Coast)

SOUTH GAMBIER – Oscar Adams (St Kilda)

THEVENARD – Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide)

VICTOR HARBOR – Nathan Kreuger (Collingwood)

WEST AUGUSTA – Tariek Newchurch (Adelaide)

WEST GAMBIER - Tim O’Brien (Western Bulldogs)

WILLUNGA – Arlo Draper (Collingwood)

WOODVILLE SOUTH – Brennan Cox (Fremantle)