The SANFL players who could help out AFL sides if state league top-up players are required in 2022
If the AFL looks to deputise state league players in a bid to avoid postponing games when Covid strikes its clubs, there are several SANFL stars ready to answer the call.
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The AFL is determined to keep the 2022 season going in the face of Covid-19.
So could state league players be the answer if AFL clubs are hit hard to avoid postponing games?
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The AFL is in discussions with state leagues to use their stars as top-up players in the big league.
The SANFL is awaiting on further details.
If the league does go down this route, could these players in the SANFL find themselves helping out AFL teams?
Riley Knight, 26, Woodville-West Torrens
From playing in a losing grand final for the Crows in 2017, Knight was delisted by Adelaide at the end of 2020.
He returned to the SANFL with the Eagles and impressed upon his return at state league level, averaging 25 disposals, 5.7 tackles and 5.4 clearances.
He also kicked 12 goals and can play small forward as well as in the midfield.
Patrick Naish, 23 Norwood
Was heavily linked with Collingwood after being cut by Richmond but Naish was unable to keep his AFL career alive.
He featured six times at AFL level in 2021 and can play halfback and midfield.
The ex-Tigers father son selection would be a strong chance of getting another AFL chance if clubs look at the state leagues.
Luke Partington, 24, Glenelg
The former West Coast player has been unable to get a second AFL chance despite becoming one of the best players in the SANFL for the Tigers.
Was close in 2019 when he won the Magarey Medal, and is a player just crying out for a chance.
Patrick Wilson, 27, Sturt
During his two seasons at the Crows Wilson showed he was probably too good for their SANFL side, winning back-to-back state league club champion awards in 2018 and 2019.
But he only managed the two games at AFL level.
At 27 and at 190cm Wilson would be a ready made player if AFL clubs go looking his way again.
Billy Hartung, 27, North Adelaide
The former Hawthorn and North Melbourne speedster had a luckless run with hamstring injuries in 2021.
But he had a solid AFL career prior to joining the Roosters and if his body holds up there’s no reason why he couldn’t again play at the level if required.
He has been working on his inside game since coming to the SANFL.
Campbell Combe, 26, North Adelaide
Not the tallest at 178cm but Combe knows how to get the ball, averaging nearly 26 a game as well as nearly 10 tackles.
He won the 2020 Magarey Medal and has been an ultra consistent player in the SANFL.
Jay Rantall, 20, Norwood
Played four games for Collingwood last year before being delisted, Rantall still has plenty of time on his side.
Can play both on the inside and outside and has an incredible tank, smashing the 2km time-trial record by 14 seconds at the Draft Combine before he was selected by the Magpies.
Jarrod Lienert, 27, Sturt
Was delisted by Port Adelaide at the end of last season and at the time many thought he could still play a role for another AFL club if they were interested.
A mature age rookie, the key defender got pretty much everything he could out of himself at AFL level to play 23 games over five years for the Power.
In 2021 he averaged 17 disposals from his five games at AFL level to show that he could very much do a job at the level.
Bryce Gibbs, 32, South Adelaide
Yes Gibbs is 32 but he showed in 2021 that he can still play some decent footy when he returned to state league level.
He claimed the Magarey Medal alongside new Gold Coast Sun James Tsitas in a reminder of his talent.
It would be an extremely short-term move, if it was feasible for a club, but Gibbs would be able to hit the ground running.
Hamish Hartlett, 31, West Adelaide
Has said he would get involved in any potential top-up pool “beyond a shadow of a doubt”.
Couldn’t get any AFL interest after his time at Port Adelaide came to an end but would be a player that could contribute immediately if called upon.
Kaiden Brand, 27, West Adelaide
A 198cm key defender who has shown at Hawthorn that he can play well at the level.
Brand is still young enough to suggest that he could do a job if required, and key defenders don’t grow on trees.
Ryan Garthwaite, 23, South Adelaide
The new Panther played 14 times for Richmond, which suggests that he must have some ability.
At 192cm he can play at both ends of the ground and that versatility could be vital in him getting another chance.
Aaron Nietschke, 21, Central District
The big question around Nietschke will be if his body can hold up after some luckless years with injury at Melbourne.
In a good sign that he was rated by the Demons, he was still kept on when he did an ACL injury.
After the past couple of years he has had many would love to see him get another chance.
Alex Spina, 26, North Adelaide
After being delisted by the Crows at the end of 2014, Spina has become one of the SANFL’s most consistent players.
The Roosters captain has proven that he can be extremely damaging across half back and is a far better player than he was when he was at the Crows.
Luke Beecken, 20, Woodville-West Torrens
Had a stellar 2021 campaign to put him in the thinking of AFL recruiters, getting a call up to the SA Draft Combine.
The 185cm defender provided plenty of rebound for the Eagles at half back and went at 94 per cent disposal efficiency.
AFL clubs have been interested and expect them to keep him in their thoughts if he continues this upward trend.
Oscar Clavarino, 22, South Adelaide
Played five games for St Kilda last year, Clavarino can play on both tall and small forwards.
At 195cm, he is also strong taking intercept marks which should make him appealing to some sides.
Sam Durdin, 25, Glenelg
The former 198cm former Kangaroo was a marking machine for the Tigers in the 2021 campaign.
Has played at AFL level and would have to be in the thinking if clubs do look at a state league pool.
Harrison Wigg, 25, North Adelaide
Had bad luck with injuries while at Adelaide and Gold Coast but was able to play 19 games for the Roosters in 2021.
He has an elite left foot kick and does have the talent so he could be an interesting one to watch this year if a pool of players is established.
Oliver Davis, 19, South Adelaide
Considered extremely unlucky to not get drafted in 2020, the Tasmanian moved to Adelaide to train with the Crows and be a part of their SANFL set up.
This suggests that Davis is close to an AFL spot and he will get a further chance to press his case when he plays for the Panthers this year.
He has clean hands and is very good at the contest.
Malachy Carruthers, 19, Sturt
Delisted by Sydney at the end of last season the half back will be looking to quickly return to the AFL system by impressing at Sturt.
He was able to find the footy at VFL level in 2021, when the Swans reserves did play, so if he impresses early upon his return to the SANFL he could come into the thinking of AFL clubs again.
Liam McBean, 27, Glenelg
Could only manage the five games for Richmond at AFL level but McBean has starred in both the VFL and the SANFL – winning three Ken Farmer Medals in a row.
At 202cm he can play both as a key forward and as a ruck and that at least should have him come into consideration.
Cam Taheny, 20, Norwood
One of the most intriguing talents on this list.
Taheny has shown he has the talent to be an explosive forward, which was why Geelong drafted him.
But he was never able to crack into the Cats line up.
With the talent he has, an AFL club could come calling again.
Oscar Brownless, 21, South Adelaide
Couldn’t force his way into the Geelong team despite finishing runner-up in the Cats’ VFL side in 2021.
A hard-running midfielder the son of Billy Brownless is set to step into the Jason Horne-Francis hole at South Adelaide.
He will feel he has another crack at AFL in him.
Lachlan Hosie, 24, Glenelg
Experienced a short stint in the AFL when North Melbourne came calling in the mid-season draft, Hosie kicked 26 goals from 12 games in 2021 for Glenelg.
The 189cm forward is one of the SANFL’s best when on song and if he can continue this he would have to come under consideration.
Connor Ballenden, 22, Woodville-West Torrens
After he was delisted by Brisbane the 200cm key forward and defender has moved to SA to join the Eagles.
He only managed the three games for the Lions, but he was highly rated at Brisbane.
Ben Jarvis, 21, Norwood
Another to have come to the SANFL from Geelong, Jarvis did manage one came for the Cats.
Playing across half-forward Jarvis kicked 16 goals and averaged 5.6 marks from his eight VFL games in 2021.
He also has clean hands and is accurate in front of goal.
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