Fabulous 40: Five players from each SANFL club who are on the AFL radar for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 drafts
Football writer Andrew Capel profiles 40 emerging young guns in the local league with the potential to be drafted to the AFL.
SANFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from SANFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
South Australia is in danger of having its worst top-end draft haul in nearly a decade.
Having entered the season with question marks hanging over the quality of the SANFL’s 2023 draft prospects, average performances at the AFL under-18 national championships have further clouded the credentials of some of the state’s most highly-rated players.
SA won just one of its four games at the national titles.
“Right now, SA will not have a player selected in the top 10,’’ said one AFL recruiter.
“It’s going to be a very average crop from SA. The state might not have more than one or two picked in the first round and they might be at the back end.’’
There have been a couple of draft risers, including Hawthorn father-son prospect Will McCabe from Central District and giant but raw South Adelaide ruckman Taylor Goad.
But not since 2016 has SA’s draft crop looked worse four months out from a national draft.
That was the year the Croweaters’ top selection – North Adelaide’s Will Hayward – slipped to Sydney at pick 21.
His Roosters teammate Brandan Parfitt was the next SANFL product taken – at No. 26 by Geelong – while Woodville-West Torrens defender Brennan Cox was selected by Fremantle at No. 41.
Last year, SA had four players picked in the first 28 of the draft – the Eagles’ Mattaes Phillipou (No. 10 to St Kilda), Norwood’s Max Michalanney (17 to Adelaide), West Adelaide’s Harry Barnett (23 to West Coast) and Glenelg’s Jakob Ryan (28 to Collingwood).;
In 2021, SA had three top-15 selections, headlined by No. 1 pick Jason Horne-Francis from South Adelaide to North Melbourne.
In 2020, the state had six top-30 picks, in 2019 it had six top-26 selections and in 2018 it had six players go in the top 27, including three in the top five – Eagle Jack Lukosius to Gold Coast at No. 2, Blood Izak Rankine to the Suns at No. 3 and North's Connor Rozee to Port Adelaide at No. 5.
Three Croweaters also went inside the top 20 in 2017 following the lean 2016 draft haul.
Given the questions hanging over how high SA’s best 2023 prospects will be drafted – Glenelg’s highly-rated Ashton Moir and state under-18 captain, West Adelaide’s Will Patton, appear sliders – The Advertiser has dug deeper.
We have delved into each of the eight stand-alone SANFL clubs and picked their best draft prospects from the 2023, 2024 (tipped to have a strong SA flavour) and 2025 draft pools.
THE FLASH FIVE
Each SANFL club’s top 5 current and future draft prospects …
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Will McCabe
Draft eligible: 2023
Key defender, 17, 197cm, 82kg
A Hawthorn father-son prospect after his dad, Luke, a Central premiership player, played 138 games for the Hawks from 1995-2004. One of SA’s best performers at the AFL under-18 championships, where he shone with his ability to play on talls and smalls. Is competitive and athletic and has improved his marking this year.
Dyson Sharp
Draft eligible: 2025
Midfielder, 16, 187cm, 85kg
This year’s SA under-16 captain showcased his potential with standout displays at the AFL under-16 championships where he won the prestigious Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player in division one. Physically strong and tough at the contest, a superb 33-disposal effort in the wet against Vic Country was the highlight of his campaign, stamping his name as an All-Australian. Is averaging a whopping 39.6 disposals in the SANFL under-16s.
Trent Tattoli
Draft eligible: 2023
Midfielder, 18, 181cm, 70kg
Prolific, well-balanced midfielder who can win the ball at the contest and is very damaging on the outside. Possesses a terrific workrate which allows him to win plenty of the ball.
Liam Fawcett
Draft eligible: 2023
Key forward, 18, 198cm, 87kg
Tall forward can be a difficult match-up for defenders with his ability to lead hard and also take contested marks. He’s athletic and loves to get up the ground. Wins plenty of the ball for a big man.
Beau Ryan
Draft eligible: 2024
Half-forward/wingman, 17, 181cm, 64kg
Small but clever forward/wingman who has excellent skills. A good runner who covers plenty of territory. His talent is undeniable but needs to bulk up, which should come with maturity.
GLENELG
Ashton Moir
Draft eligible: 2023
Medium forward, 18, 188cm, 84kg
A freakishly-skilled forward who is a top-10 pick on talent. Has a rare ability to kick equally well with both feet but hasn’t hit the heights expected of him this year, although he has been battling a hip injury. Is strong overhead and capable at ground level but needs to impose himself on games more.
Bodie Ryan
Draft eligible: 2023
Defender, 18, 188cm, 82kg
Cousin of former Glenelg and current Collingwood defender Jakob Ryan, Bodie plays in a similar eye-catching fashion. The Sacred Heart College student sets up play from defence and is renowned for his ability to win intercept possessions.
Lucas Camporeale
Draft eligible: 2024
Wingman, 16, 183cm, 64kg
Son of 1995 Carlton premiership player Scott Camporeale is eligible to be picked by the Blues as a father-son player after his dad played 233 games for the club from 1995-2005. The left-footer is light but oozes class and wins plenty of the ball, illustrated by his 39-disposal, 10-mark performance against Norwood in the under-18s in round six.
Ben Camporeale
Draft eligible: 2024
Wingman/half-back, 16, 184cm, 63kg
Twin brother of Lucas, Ben has taken a big step forward in his development this season and also is on Carlton’s radar. The brothers spent time training with the club in the summer as it eyes them for the 2024 draft. Unlike Lucas, Ben is a right-footer. AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said: “I love Scotty Camporeale’s boys – he was smart enough to make one a left footer and one a right footer so that we can sort them out because they look about the same. As you can imagine with Scotty’s boys, they’re quite slim for their age but still growing, have long legs and move over the ground so well.’’
Ben Ridgway
Draft eligible: 2023
Midfielder, 18, 183cm, 80kg
Tough, hardworking midfielder won last year’s McCallum Tomkins Medal as the best SANFL under-18s player as a bottom-ager. Led Glenelg to a flag and loves throwing his body into contests.
NORTH ADELAIDE
Kane McAuliffe
Draft eligible: 2023
Midfielder, 18, 188cm, 88kg
The big-bodied midfielder was close to the cleanest player on the ground in last year’s SANFL under-18 grand final as a bottom-ager and has enjoyed a solid if not spectacular season, partly because of a groin injury he has been carrying. A powerful, inside, ball-winning midfielder who plays a physical game but needs to work on his running power and ability to get from contest to contest.
Jed Dignan
Draft eligible: 2023
Forward/midfielder, 18, 188cm, 77kg
Versatile utility who loves winning the ball at midfield stoppages and can also make an impact in attack. Has class, which is evident by his clean hands, and is a very good decision maker. Can also hit the scoreboard, making him a well-rounded player.
Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier
Draft eligible: 2025
Midfielder, 16, 181cm, 81kg
Described as a “jet’’ by AFL recruiters two years out from his draft eligible year. The star SA under-16 midfielder looms as a possible top-10 selection in 2025. He’s classy, tough in the contest, has great hands and a natural footy brain.
Louie Montgomery
Draft eligible: 2024
Wing/half-forward, 17, 183cm, 79kg
Son of 2004 Port Adelaide AFL premiership defender Brett Montgomery, Louie is an exciting talent who is in SA’s 2023 under-18 talent hub as a bottom-age player. Wins the ball with ease and hits the scoreboard. Is eligible to be a Port father-son selection as Brett, who started and finished his career with the Western Bulldogs, played 126 games for the Power from 2000-05.
Tom Tasker
Draft eligible: 2024
Midfielder, 17, 189cm, 90kg
The son of Roosters 1991 premiership player and former Crows AFL player Sean Tasker, who played 48 AFL games in the club’s tri-colours from 1991-96. Unlike his key position dad, Tom is a tough, inside midfielder who has an appetite for the contest.
NORWOOD
Logan Evans
Draft eligible: 2023
Defender, 17, 189cm, 78kg
The teenager made an excellent impact at league level early in the season, playing the first four rounds in the top grade and averaging 15 disposals and four marks. In a similar mould to Norwood’s Crows father-son draftee Max Michalanney last year, he has shown a tremendous ability to compete and is a terrific intercept mark.
Orlando Turner
Draft eligible: 2023
Small forward, 18, 185cm, 75kg
NT NGA prospect played an important role for the Allies in their breakthrough AFL under-18 championships title this year. A member of the AFL Academy, he is quick and classy and loves kicking a goal.
Alex Van Wyk
Draft eligible: Mature-age prospect
Ruckman, 19, 202cm, 113kg
A big-bodied ruckman who is still raw but has plenty of upside. He is a man mountain and can take a grab. Is still learning his ruck craft and needs to improve his kicking.
Jacob Newton
Draft eligible: 2024
Midfielder, 17, 180cm, 81kg
A ball of muscle who is a contested bull. From Elliston in Norwood’s Eyre Peninsula zone, he has been playing against men for much of his life. Is very good below his knees and clean above his head.
Will Rowlands
Draft eligible: 2023
Forward, 18, 180cm, 75kg
A powerfully-built medium forward who is strong in the core and is a very good kick. Like Turner, was a member of the Allies’ historic under-18 championships win.
SOUTH ADELAIDE
Jack Delean
Draft eligible: 2023
Small forward, 18, 182cm, 74kg
Skilful, high-flying forward has plenty of tricks. The AFL Academy member has been making life difficult for opposition defenders in the SANFL under-18s for three seasons and has the ability to hit the scoreboard quickly. Performed strongly against Vic Country at the national under-18 championships. Has a bit of the Western Bulldogs’ Cody Weightman about him.
Taylor Goad
Draft eligible: 2023
Ruckman, 18, 206cm, 92kg
One of this year’s draft bolters, Goad is raw but very athletic and talented. SA under-18 coach Tony Bamford says he is the fastest player in the SANFL’s under-18s over 20 metres, which illustrates his athletic qualities. Has developed rapidly this year and more than held his own against the country’s best under-18 ruckmen in the championships.
Sid Draper
Draft eligible: 2024
Midfielder, 17, 180cm, 73kg
Made his league debut for the Panthers against North last week (round 12) and didn’t look out of place in the boggy conditions, having 10 disposals and earning the SANFL rookie of the week nomination. The younger brother of Collingwood's Arlo Draper, Sid is more highly-credentialed and a player who is so committed he has been described as “an absolute baller’’.
Phoenix Hargrave
Draft eligible: 2024
Midfielder, 16, 182cm, 82kg
Powerful, inside midfielder who can also hit the scoreboard hard as a forward. He is tough and smart and, like Draper, is considered one of next year’s top draft talents.
Tom Wheaton
Draft eligible: 2023
Midfielder, 17, 190cm, 85kg
Tall, strong midfielder who gets his hands on the ball first at the contest. Is clean at ground level and has shown glimpses of what he can do in traffic.
STURT
Alex Holt
Draft eligible: 2023
Defender, 18, 183cm, 81kg
A super competitive one-on-one defender who has a nice blend of attack and defence. He is clean – in the air and at ground level – and reads the play well, getting himself in spots to win the ball back and use his foot skills going the other way.
Luca Slade
Draft eligible: 2023
Midfielder, 17, 182cm, 70kg
Versatile midfielder makes good decisions with the ball, often waiting and finding the right target by hand or foot. He is a very clean player, particularly under pressure at ground level, which allows him to bring other players into the game.
Loch Rawlinson
Draft eligible: 2023
Forward/midfielder, 18, 177cm, 69kg
The clever ball-winner is fast and clean and just makes things happen when pushing forward from the midfield. Can play in the centre square or on the wing. Looks most dangerous when swooping onto loose balls and driving the ball forward.
Gill Wakelin
Draft eligible: 2025
Half-forward/half-back, 16, 189cm, 72kg.
Son of 2004 Port premiership defender and ex-Saint Darryl Wakelin, Gill can pick either the Power or St Kilda as a father-son prospect after his dad played more than 100 games for both clubs. A fine mark who is already a nice size and is still growing, giving him the potential to play as a key defender or forward down the track.
Ned Atkinson
Draft eligible: 2024
Midfielder, 17, 181cm, 80kg
Is the son of 1997 Sturt Magarey Medallist Brodie Atkinson, who played a total of seven AFL games for St Kilda and Adelaide after starting his SANFL career with North Adelaide. Like his dad, Ned is a big-bodied, hardworking, inside midfielder.
WEST ADELAIDE
Will Patton
Draft eligible: 2023
Defender, 18, 193cm, 81kg
SA’s under-18 captain – a former gun cricketer – is a composed defender who is a good decision-maker. He can match up on talls and smalls and possesses a few similar traits to emerging Hawthorn star and former Blood Will Day. Has excellent leadership skills.
Oscar Talbot
Draft eligible: 2023
Key defender, 17, 195cm, 83kg
An excellent one-on-one defender who reads the ball very well. Is an elite decision-maker who was an All-Australian full back at under-16 level.
Jack Oates
Draft eligible: 2023
Key defender, 18, 198cm, 87kg
The Loxton-born tall can play as a key defender or as an intercept one. Is a beautiful left-foot kick and was a strong performer in last year’s under-17 Futures game.
Kobe Ryan
Draft eligible: Mature-age prospect
Midfielder, 19, 184cm, 75kg
A crash-and-bash midfielder he was considered unlucky not to have been drafted last year or at this year’s mid-season draft. Lacks some polish but wins the ball at the coalface and runs hard. Has enjoyed a strong season with West at league level, averaging 22 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances, and continues to improve.
Sam Burbridge
Draft eligible: 2024
Midfielder, 17, 185cm, 79kg
A big-bodied inside midfielder who loves the contest. He is tough and hard but also uses the ball with precision while being a good decision maker.
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS
Tyler Welsh
Draft eligible: 2024
Key forward, 16, 191cm, 90kg
The son of former Adelaide, North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs forward Scott Welsh is a Crows father-son prospect, given his dad played 129 games and kicked 270 goals for Adelaide from 2000-2007. Tyler starred for the Eagles in their under-16 premiership last year and, despite being just 16, impressed at this year’s under-18 national championships, kicking five goals on debut against Vic Country.
Callum Fairall
Draft eligible: 2023
Defender, 17, 188cm, 74kg
Classy half-back is a brilliant ball-user who sets up play from defence. Is a defensive architect. Is light in stature but has the ability to win the ball inside and outside the contest and roll through the midfield.
Kade Herbert
Midfielder, 17, 183cm, 76kg
Draft eligible: 2024
Classy on-baller who can play both inside and outside the contest. Has enjoyed a standout SANFL under-18s campaign and rose to the occasion by playing well in the AFL under-18s championships as a bottom-ager.
Patrick Weckert
Draft eligible: 2023
Key forward, 18, 191cm, 93kg
Entered the season as one of SA’s top 2023 draft hopes after he turned his back on a promising cricket career (as a fast bowler) to focus on football. Started the year in the Eagles’ league team but has performed below expectations, including at the national championships.
Rome Burgoyne
Draft eligible: 2024
Half-back, 16, 181cm, 75kg
Son of 2004 Port Adelaide AFL premiership player Peter Burgoyne and brother of current Power AFL-listed utility Jase Burgoyne and ex-Port wingman Trent Burgoyne, Rome is widely regarded as the most talented of the Burgoyne siblings. The Port father-son prospect possesses a stronger build than his brothers.
Down but never out: Hosie defies odds in remarkable SANFL comeback
Told he wasn’t going to play again this year after a “shocking’’ knee injury, Glenelg star Lachie Hosie made a stunning return in the SANFL preliminary final. He tells Andrew Capel how.
Capel: SA footy’s new heavyweight showdown hasn’t come easy
They might be some of the most decorated names in recent SANFL history but they’ve both taken the hard road to the grand final, writes Andrew Capel.