AFL 2023: The SA schools unearthing AFL talent that the Power and Crows could target
Which South Australian school has produced the most current AFL stars? We have crunched the numbers on every SA player in the competition to find out.
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Who could be the next South Australians lured home?
Adelaide and Port Adelaide have enticed some big names to return to the state in the last couple of years.
The Crows snared Jordan Dawson from Sydney and Izak Rankine from the Gold Coast, while the Power now have 2021 No. 1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis at Alberton after he sought a move back to SA after a year at North Melbourne.
This adds to the strong South Australian contingents the Crows and Power already have on their lists.
While they don’t go out of their way to draft local talent, the SA clubs certainly do monitor those who are interstate and whether they might be interested in a move home.
And now the go-home factor is considered to be as strong as ever, there could be more South Australians playing at interstate clubs that the Crows and Power could pursue.
Which players could Adelaide and Port attempt to lure back to SA come the trade period in 2023?
News Corp takes a look at the South Australian talent at each club.
Brisbane
The Brownlow Medallist in Neale headlines the Lions South Australian contingent with Zac Bailey moving to SA for school and footy from the Northern Territory before he was drafted.
Former Adelaide recruiter Matt Rendell loves to tell the story about how he couldn’t convince the Crows to draft Neale and, given his age and now that he is settled in Brisbane, the chances of him returning to South Australia to play his footy are slim to none.
Carlton
Small forward Durdin could be the one the Crows and Power could target if they look at Carlton’s list and the SA talent there.
He has shown a bit in his 23 games, especially his forward pressure, which clubs love.
Lemmey will be one to watch after he slid from being talked about as a top five pick in the recent draft to pick No. 47.
Collingwood
If Draper can’t force his way into the Collingwood team, then he might be one for the Crows and the Power to look at.
Able to play a variety of roles, Draper had plenty of fans leading up to the 2021 draft.
Outside of that, McCreery is a player that coaches would love to have with the way he plays as a forward.
Essendon
With the big Bombers ruckman developing at a quick rate, Draper would be perfect for Port Adelaide, given Scott Lycett is now 30
Redman had an excellent 2022 so the longer he goes unsigned past 2023, the two SA clubs could be interested, while Baldwin has plenty of talent but has just had a bad run with injury.
Fremantle
Cox could be one the two SA clubs strongly pursue in 2024 providing he doesn’t sign a new deal at the Dockers before then, as he continues to emerge as a solid key defender.
Frederick has plenty of x-factor as a medium forward but has signed a long term deal to remain at Fremantle.
Geelong
Stengle was sacked by the Crows and the Power had their chance, so rule that one out.
Close has shone as a small forward for the Cats so he could be one the two SA clubs have their eyes on with the former Glenelg small’s current contract expiring at the end of 2023.
Gold Coast
Lukosius spurned the two SA clubs to stay on the Gold Coast but you’d expect the Crows and Power to continue to check in on the former pick 2.
GWS
Aleer was a member of the Crows Next Generation Academy early in his junior career, but has developed significantly since leaving.
He would suit Port Adelaide’s need for a key defender but has recently signed a contract extension at the Giants.
Hawthorn
Day is the one to watch here, with his current contract expiring at the end of 2023.
While he has struggled with injury, when he has played at AFL level he has impressed for the Hawks.
His smooth ball use would be of benefit to either SA club.
Melbourne
Port Adelaide is extremely keen on Pickett and is expected to make a big play for the gun small forward in 2023.
Pickett loves Melbourne the club but isn’t completely enamoured with the city, so that could be the way the Power brings back another SA young gun.
The addition of Pickett would certainly entrench the Power’s position as a contender.
Outside of Pickett, Petty would be a fine addition for both clubs but is contracted until 2025.
North Melbourne
Powell would be a good addition for either club to bolster their midfields but he has played 31 games for the Kangaroos in his first two years.
Richmond
Graham toured Alberton in the off-season but decided to stay at Richmond so it would seem unlikely that the Power have another crack at him given they got Horne-Francis.
But if Travis Boak does call it a day at the end of 2023, Graham could be an option for Port Adelaide.
St Kilda
Wanganeen-Milera was a player the Power liked in the 2021 Draft but he was snapped up before they were on the board.
He could be a player they pursue in 2023, but his good friend in Keeler has arrived at the Saints so that could complicate any plan.
Expect the Crows to monitor Phillipou after they were big fans of him but didn’t have a first-round pick last year.
Sydney
Adelaide was big on Stephens but the Swans snapped him up before they could make a selection in the 2019 draft.
He would add some good run on the outside for the Crows, which will be needed with Paul Seedsman’s future still cloudy because of ongoing concussion symptoms.
The only issue for the Crows is that their relationship with the Swans isn’t great after they lured Jordan Dawson back to SA at the end of 2021.
Outside of Stephens, Gould might be one to watch given he hasn’t been able to crack the Swans line-up.
West Coast
Edwards could have been a father-son prospect for the Crows but they declined to nominate him.
Adelaide did like former West Adelaide big man Barnett so he might be one it continues to monitor.
Western Bulldogs
Williams has played well for the Bulldogs as a defender and could maybe add some more quality to the Crows side.
The Power have plenty of half-backs like Williams.
Clubs are always on the lookout for ruckmen, which helps a player like Sweet, but the Crows and Power do have some depth in that position already.
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Originally published as AFL 2023: The SA schools unearthing AFL talent that the Power and Crows could target
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