Top SAAS First XVIII college footballers to watch in 2024 revealed
The SAAS First XVIII college football season is underway as the state’s top schools battle for silverware. Here are the top 25 players to watch in season 2024.
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The 2024 SAAS First XVIII college footy season is finally here, with Adelaide’s best schools set to clash across two exciting divisions.
With the help of colleges and coaches, we’ve named the top 25 players to watch in 2024.
Here is our list in alphabetical order.
NED ATKINSON
(Sacred Heart)
Son of former SANFL star and Magarey Medallist Brodie Atkinson, Ned will captain Sacred Heart this season.
A talented forward and midfield utility, Atkinson wins plenty of contested footy and has the ability to hit the scoreboard as a skilled player upfront.
MAX BARILLA
(Saint Ignatius)
A highly skilful, evasive and dangerous left foot target forward who can also run through the midfield, Barilla will be a vice-captain for Saint Ignatius this season.
Barilla can impact the game in a number of ways and will be one to watch during the division two season.
HUGO BLACK
(Saint Ignatius)
Black is a skilled and talented midfielder with a precise left foot.
His rapid run and carry can hurt any opposition, making the Saint Ignatius vice-captain one of the most dangerous players for his side.
NED BOWMAN
(St Peter’s)
A talented midfield prospect for St Peter’s College, Bowman will be one to watch for the div one power this season.
Bowman has the ability to win plenty of contested footy and provide reliable ball-use in the middle of the park and can also play a role upfront to kick and create goals for his team when needed.
ROME BURGOYNE
(Prince Alfred College)
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 senior in PAC’s squad.
A versatile player who can fill a number of positions, Burgoyne will play mostly across halfback this season with his ability to read the play well and damage the opposition by foot.
BEN CAMPOREALE
(Sacred Heart)
Son of former Carlton star and Crows coach Scott Camporeale, Ben is a talented backman and midfielder who can have an impact in a number of ways.
A skilled player with high footy IQ and reliable skills, Camporeale will be one of Sacred Heart’s most important players this season.
LUCAS CAMPOREALE
(Sacred Heart)
Brother of Ben, Lucas Camporeale is also a standout player who can produce top performances at the back or through the midfield.
An athletic and skilled player who can win plenty of his own ball and distribute well under pressure.
JACK COOK
(Immanuel)
A hardworking and reliable midfielder who consistently finds the footy, Cook should be one of Immanuel’s top performers in 2024.
Can dominate a game through the middle and ion the contest with his ability to win the ball and damage opposition by foot.
JACK DAVIES
(Mercedes)
Davies is a young halfback for Sturt and Mercedes who is an excellent reader of the play.
Also a good user of the footy and clean in the contest, Davies should be one of his school’s most consistent players in 2024.
ISAIAH FADDOUL
(Mercedes)
Captain of the Mercedes First XVIII team this season, Faddoul will look to have an impact as an inside midfielder and forward.
The Sturt U18s player is a strong ball winner who is also strong in the air and boasts a long, damaging kick.
EZRA FOSTER
(Immanuel)
A star key defender for Immanuel, Foster is set to be one of the college competition’s top players across the backline throughout this season.
Reliable in the air and at ground level, Foster rebounds strongly out of defence and has a booming kick.
OLLIE FRANCOU
(St Peter’s)
Son of former Port Adelaide AFL player Josh Francou, Ollie is beginning to make a name for himself as a consistent and hardworking midfielder.
Clean in the contest and a terrific user, Francou could be set for a big year with St Peter’s.
JETT HASTING
(St Peter’s)
Another talented midfielder for St Peter’s College, Hasting has emerged as a talented youngster for his school and the Woodville-West Torrens U18s.
The Yorke Peninsula product is strong on the ball and runs all day for his side, making him a dangerous player in the middle.
REUBEN HILL
(Scotch)
Scotch’s captain this season, Hill is set to lead from the front as an inside midfielder.
Hill boasts clean skills and a great game awareness and should also push forward to hit the scoreboard.
BEN HOGAN
(Saint Ignatius)
Captain of his school’s First XVIII side this season, Hogan is a relentless and tough inside midfielder with plenty of experience in top level college footy.
Strongly endorsed by his Saint Ignatius teammates this season, Hogan has the ability to take over a game in the contest by winning a high number of contested possessions and clearances.
LOGAN HUGHES
(St Michael’s)
A talented centre-half forward for St Michael’s, Hughes should be a standout performer for his school in 2024.
Hughes is a tall target upfront who covers ground well, takes strong marks and makes the right decisions with ball in hand.
MATT LERAY
(Prince Alfred)
Prince Alfred College’s captain this season, LeRay has made a move to the wing this year.
The Princes star has shown a great ability to get handball receives on the outside and provide run and carry, use great decision making and damage opponents by foot.
JASPER MAHER
(Scotch)
A handy utility who can play a number of roles, Maher will be one to watch for Scotch this year.
Maher can play upfront and through the midfield and has proved to be a reliable performer around the goals with a strong contested mark.
NED MCCARTHY
(Rostrevor)
Part of Rostrevor’s leadership group this season, McCarthy is set to reach another gear for his side.
A reliable key forward who takes strong marks and can finish from anywhere or set up teammates.
LOUIE MONTGOMERY
(Prince Alfred)
Vice-captain for PAC this year, Montgomery plays predominantly as an inside midfielder but can also spend time forward.
Montgomery boasts strength, clean ground ball gets and creativity by hand as an inside midfielder.
He can win important possessions for his team at stoppage and also boot goals upfront by using his contested marking ability.
JACOB NEWTON
(Rostrevor)
Newton will captain Rostrevor this year and has also been selected in the SA U18 state team for season 2024.
A skilled and relentless inside midfielder, Newton’s ability to win the footy in the contest and distribute under duress will be highly valuable for his side.
GABRIEL PATTERSON
(Mercedes)
A high forward/midfielder who is reliable with the footy, Patterson has emerged as one to watch for Mercedes this season.
Also a part of Glenelg’s U16s side, Patterson is agile, uses the ball well and can finish in front of goal.
ZANE PEUCKER
(St Michael’s)
A skilled midfielder and small forward, Peucker is set for a big year with St Michael’s.
Can provide consistent and damaging run and carry through the midfield
LACHLAN SANDS
(St Michael’s)
An emerging midfielder for St Michael’s in season 2024, Sands has been backed for a big season by his coaches.
Sands is a reliable player who makes good decisions when in possession and often creates for his team with precise disposal.
CHARLIE WEST
(Immanuel)
Also a part of SA’s U18 state team, West should be a key player when available for Immanuel.
A talented centre-half forward who takes big marks and can open up opportunities for his side or finish in front of goal.
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