Sawtell-Toormina Saint signs pro contract with Sturt Double Blues

Sawtell-Toormina AFL player Angus Anderson has broken through to the other side, signing his first pro contract. Read how he did it.

19 year-old Angus Anderson has signed his first pro contract with the Sturt Double Blues in SA for the 2023 season.

Sawtell-Toormina AFL prodigy Angus Anderson has signed his first professional contract with the Australian National Football League.

Angus, 19, spent this season in Sydney where he debuted for both the Sydney Swans NAB League and VFL teams. He was also an important part of the Allies team in the National Championships, captaining the team on one occasion and being included in the team‘s three best players in each match he played.

2023 Anderson will turn out for a strong Sturt outfit that finished fifth in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) and played Finals footy.

The Double Blues are coached by Marty Mattner who played over 200 matches in the AFL for the Adelaide Crows and Sydney Swans, winning the 2012 Premiership with the Swans.

“We are excited to welcome Angus into the Sturt family,” Mr Mattner said.

Anderson is understandably excited by the opportunity that playing with Sturt presents.

“I really felt wanted by Sturt and that was the main reason I decided to join,” Anderson said.

“They‘re a really strong club with a great coach and I just can’t wait to get over to Adelaide and get started.”

Angus Anderson at the Sydney Swans academy.

“I haven‘t given up on the dream of playing at AFL level, and the Sturt footy club supports me in pursuing that. “If I do make it to the AFL, it won’t be via the traditional pathway of being drafted at 18, but it will be my pathway.”

The 19 year-old is no stranger to Academy footy, having spent time in Melbourne as a member of the Eastern Ranges Under 16 team that played in the NAB League and represented the Sydney Swans Academy Under 18 team.

North Coast AFL players left: Sawtell-Toormina Saints Angus Anderson and ex-Grafton Tigers Hamish Ellem.

In 2021, Anderson was captain of the Swans Academy Team in the NAB League where he averaged 24 disposals, four tackles and a goal per game.

In 2022, Anderson was selected for the Allies in the NAB AFL National Championships as well as making his VFL debut for the Swans, playing seven games.

Sturt coach Marty Mattner expressed his delight at the signing, and gave a strong indication about how Anderson will be used.

“We are excited by Anderson’s inside clearance work and clean hands. He adds height and strength to our midfield line up,” Mattner said.

Angus is a product of the Sawtell Toormina Saints Junior and Senior clubs. He represented the North Coast Force at every age group and had several years in the Northern Heat program, proving that playing club footy on the North Coast is no barrier to progressing to the higher levels.

Anderson joins former North Coast product in Hamish Ellem (Grafton) playing in the SANFL, with Ellem being a member of the West Adelaide club.