Top SAAS First XVIII college footballers to watch in 2023 revealed
The SAAS First XVIII college football season will kick-off this weekend with the state’s best schools ready to rumble. Here are the top 25 players to watch in season 2023.
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The 2023 SAAS First XVIII college footy season is finally here, with Adelaide’s best schools set to clash across two divisions in an exciting round one this weekend.
Ahead of Saturday’s games we’ve named the players to watch for 2023.
Here is our list in alphabetical order of college.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE
DIEGO BUETI
Currently in year 10, Bueti has emerged as one of the most promising products at CBC.
Also a reliable mid and forward with the West Adelaide U16s, Bueti has the ability to impact a game in a multitude of ways.
ETHAN KELSEY
Captain of CBC’s First XVIII team this season, Kelsey has been a dominant midfielder for his college and f0r the Lockleys U17s.
A talented player and strong leader who wins plenty of the footy and distributes well.
MATTHEW ALTOMARE
Altomare is vice-captain of CBC’s First XVIII side and has also been playing for Norwood’s U18s this year.
The rising star provides security behind the ball and is a strong asset in the air and at ground level.
IMMANUEL
JOSH ALTUS
Having won Immanuel’s best and fairest last season, Altus has been tipped to take his game to another level in 2023.
A strong and consistent midfielder, Altus is an exceptional kick and mark who can be almost impossible for opposition to stop.
OSCAR TALBOT
A young gun ruck who can also play at centre half-back or up front, Talbot should be a force for Immanuel in the contest.
The emerging star also plays for West Adelaide’s U18 team and has made the SA U18 squad, and will be an important asset for Mark Bickley’s side this season.
RILEY DAVEY
A hard-running midfielder who also plays at Woodville-West Torrens, Davey should be a standout for Immanuel in 2023.
Davey is strong in the contest and can change a game through his contested possession work and tackling.
PRINCE ALFRED COLLEGE
LUCA SLADE
Slade has emerged as one of PAC’s most consistent players in recent seasons and should perform well through the middle and up front in his senior year.
He is a great decision maker who shows poise on the ball and is coming off of a successful pre-season – recently kicking six goals against Wesley College in Melbourne.
LOCH RAWLINSON
A fast and clean player at ground level, Rawlinson will be a consistent option through the Reds’ midfield and at half forward.
Rawlinson is a reliable user by foot and can be the catalyst for a number of scoring opportunities.
ROME BURGOYNE
The younger brother of Port Adelaide’s Jase Burgoyne and former Power star and premiership player Peter Burgoyne, Rome Burgoyne is set to star as a year 11 in PAC’s squad.
A versatile player who can fill a number of positions, Burgoyne reads the play well and is a great user.
LOUIE MONTGOMERY
Another young up and coming player at Prince Alfred, Montgomery could be a player who makes an instant impact when called upon.
A consistent and clean player, the year 11 rarely puts a foot wrong through the middle of the park.
ROSTREVOR
FINN WAKELIN
Wakelin had a standout season for Rostrevor in 2022 and has been tipped to step up to the plate again in 2023 by coach James Allan.
A fast-developing ruck and key forward, Wakelin has been one of his school’s most competitive players and has some of the best hands in college footy.
MATTHEW BROWN
Brown is a key position player who can play at either end of the ground and should provide a major boost for Rostrevor this year after missing significant time last season with injury.
He possesses elite athleticism and a high work rate.
SACRED HEART
BODIE RYAN
Sacred Heart coach Jon Symonds believed Bodie Ryan would be a key cog along the college’s backline this season.
Ryan has been a standout talent at half-back with his ability to cut off attacks and damage the opposition with decisive ball use.
WILL MCCABE
An athletic and mobile key forward, McCabe should be one of Hearts’ top players this season after a promising 2022 campaign.
the forward target will be the side’s main avenue to goal and could cause headaches for the opposition with his ability in the air and in front of the big sticks.
ST IGNATIUS
EAMONN CRONIN
Captain of St Ignatius’ First XVIII side this season, Cronin should lead by example as a versatile midfielder who can have an impact around the ground.
Also a player for the Norwood U18s, the emerging leader adds grit and quality disposal to his side.
NOAH MCDONALD
A versatile player who can slot in behind the ball or up front, McDonald should be a handy asset for St Ignatius this season.
Coach Adrian Rocco has tipped his vice-captain for a starring year after a solid 2022.
ST MICHAEL’S
HUDSON ANGOVE
An up and coming young gun for Woodville-West Torrens and a reliable player for Port District, Hudson Angove will be a key part of any St Michael’s success in division one this season.
A long player with a wide array of skills, Angove can impact the game on or behind the ball.
WILL BLAIR
A member of North Adelaide’s U18 team, Blair has emerged as a reliable midfielder for St Michael’s.
Blair has a high work rate and is able to find teammates as well as anyone with efficient distribution.
ST PETER’S
CHARLIE RAFF
A fast-developing player for North Adelaide and St Peter’s, Raff has only been playing competitive footy for four years and could experience a breakout season this year according to coach Josh Francou.
Raff can play up front or on the ball, working hard through four quarters and almost always hitting the scoreboard.
HENRY MAERSCHEL
An reliable defender with a high football IQ, Maerschel will be one of his school’s most important players in season 2023.
The young gun also plays for Sturt and has improved significantly throughout the college pre-season.
TED NEWMAN
Saints’ First XVIII captain this season, Newman will be one of his school’s most reliable defenders.
Also a player with Sturt’s U18s, Newman is an athletic defender who can take big marks and contest in the air or at ground level.
TRINITY
BEAU RYAN
A promising youngster out of South Gawler who also plays for Central District at U18s level, Ryan is a strong and courageous midfielder who can also move up the ground and boot goals.
Look for him to take his game up a notch for Trinity this season.
TRENT TATTOLI
A star midfielder who can pinch hit up front and hit the scoreboard, Tattoli should be Trinity’s star player in 2023.
Also a dominant player with the Central District U18s, Tattoli has averaged 27 disposals at 88% efficiency for the Bulldogs so far this season.
WESTMINSTER
ANDERS MCSHANE
A dominant inside midfielder who can change a game with his work in the contest, McShane should be in for another big year at Westminster after a standout 2022.
The rising star also plays for Glenelg’s U18s and will join South Adelaide gun Tom Wheaton in the middle for his school.
TOM WHEATON
A dominant 190cm midfielder who has emerged as one of South Adelaide’s best prospects, Wheaton has Westminster excited about what he can achieve this season.
Able to win a number of decisive contested possessions in the middle or pinch hit in the forwardline and hit the scoreboard, Wheaton could be one of the most impactful players in college footy this year.
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