AAMI Rookies make their mark

Three of Woodville-West Torrens’ 2020 premiership heroes were among the 40 AAMI Rookies to make their Statewide Super League debut this season.

Defenders Lachie Jones and Jacob Wehr, together with midfielder Lachie McNeil, all played significant roles in the Eagles first senior flag since 2011.

After marking their debut in Round 1 against South Adelaide, the trio looked at home among stronger bodies while being key members of the class of 2020 who each earned $500 for their original Community Football Club as well as a framed picture of them to hang in the clubrooms.

Jones is set to be snapped up by Port Adelaide as a Next Generation Academy prospect in this year’s AFL Draft while McNeil swept aside the disappointment of missing out on selection last year to prove he can be a consistent senior footballer while also hitting the scoreboard.

But Wehr’s story is one of outstanding persistence.

The boy from Balaklava played three full seasons in the Eagles Reserves, including one A-grade game back at his home club last year, before flourishing under new coach Jade Sheedy this campaign.

Boasting a lovely left-foot kick, the 22-year-old is now suddenly on the AFL Draft radar after handling the pressure of the kick-ins with ease throughout the Statewide Super League finals series.