Meet South Australia’s rising rugby union stars taking the competition by storm in 2025
It’s long been dominated by the eastern states but things are changing with a wave of young South Aussie talent emerging ready to take the sport to new heights.
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Dominated by Australia’s eastern states, rugby union often gets left behind in the dust in Adelaide.
Although, in 2025, South Australia is fast becoming a hotbed for rising talent – with young athletes from across the state breaking through the ranks.
From Brighton to Burnside, several promising stars are emerging – eager to challenge the status quo and bring fresh energy to Adelaide’s sparse rugby scene.
South Australian rugby is now poised for a major boost, with eyes now firmly on its up-and-coming stars who are ready to take the sport to new heights.
Michael Dinan
Age: 17
Club: Burnside
Ever since Dinan witnessed his very first rugby game, he’s barely been sighted without a ball in hand.
The Burnside junior began playing at five years old and immediately displayed “enormous potential”.
Now 17, he’s one of the state’s brightest stars – constantly putting up performances that “defy belief”.
“Michael, as a player, does not fear failure and is always willing to have a go,” his dad Kevin said.
“When Michael is playing, he somehow defies gravity with his maneuverability skills. Very much a team player, Michael will encourage others to do well as Michael and his teammates grow with every game played.
“Not bothered by size and confident in his ability and the local rugby coaches, Michael was moved up year levels to play at more advanced competitions.”
Aidan Flynn
Club: Brighton
Flynn took his rugby to another level last season, not only winning the Under 21 Best and Fairest award but also taking out the competition’s Best and Fairest.
Already one of the state’s best players, Flynn will look to take the Tigers all the way to premiership success in 2025.
A tough and athletic player, he will be aiming to back up his 2024 MVP campaign this season.
Issy Hopping
Age: 18
Club: Burnside
Growing up in rugby-dominated New South Wales, Hopping was naturally surrounded by the sport from a young age.
It wasn’t until the age of 14 though that she began playing rugby league tag – a modified version of the sport allowing kids to learn the basics in a safe environment.
After moving to SA at 16, Hopping began playing both rugby formats – the more modern league and the more tradition union.
She took to both games instantly and went on to represent the state twice in 2023 and 2024 in the Under-18’s NRLW competition.
Entering her third season for Burnside, Hopping is looking to take her game to another level in 2025 as the team’s “10 position” – one of the most important and influential roles on the field.
Hopping will act as the Bunnies’ primary playmaker; akin to an American football quarterback or basketball point guard.
Dusty Loffler
Age: 19
Club: Onkaparinga
A tireless worker with leadership qualities “beyond his years”, Loffler is a rugby star in the making.
Having already represented SA in both codes, he will look to go even bigger and better in 2025.
Wyatt van Dongen
Club: Old Collegians
A hard-nosed player with physicality beyond his years, van Dongen took out the Junior Maualaivao memorial trophy in 2024 – the state’s Best and Fairest award for Under 18 players.
Grace Fitzsimmons
Age: 19
Club: Onkaparinga
Named co-captain of Onkaparinga at just 19-years-old, Fitzsimmons is widely regarded as one of SA’s best, and most promising, talents.
In 2024, she was nominated for the state’s Best and Fairest Forward award but sadly did not take home the individual silverware.
Beginning her career as a junior playing in mixed teams, Fitzsimmons has continued to hone her innate ability and “keen rugby brain”.
Jade Woonton
Club: Adelaide University
A young star displaying youthful prowess for SA’s oldest rugby club, Woonton has all the traits to be one of the competition’s best.
She started playing the sport “at a time when there were very few girls playing in SA”, and says highlighting women’s rugby “means a lot”.
Woonton took out the state’s Under 21 Best and Fairest award in 2024.
Levi Verwey
Age: 16
Club: Burnside
Verwey only began rugby three years ago but has quickly turned into one of the state’s most promising youngsters.
A small but fast player with strong hands from a netball and basketball background – Verwey is an exciting prospect for the Burnside Bunnies.
Caelan Shelton
Age: 24
Club: Onkaparinga
Two knee reconstructions and multiple shoulder dislocations would be enough to turn off even the bravest athletes from returning to sport.
Not for Shelton.
The 24 year old has powered through adversity and continues to take field, despite his serious injury setbacks at such a young age.
A formidable defender with an ability to read the game well, Shelton has previously represented the state as a junior.
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