2023 Hostplus Woodville-West Torrens Pocket Profile

SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Eagles heading into the 2023 Hostplus SANFL League season.

COMING
James Rowe (returned/Adelaide), Riley Collier-Dawkins (Richmond), Zane Williams (returned/Geelong), David Brinker-Ritchie (Traralgon/Box Hill Hawks), Max Beattie (Wodonga Raiders), Daniel Sladojevic (South Adelaide), Josh Mawson (Port Douglas), Carter Norman (North Albury), Sam Tilley (Lauderdale)

GOING
Jarrad Redden (retired/Southern Eagles), Jarred Allmond (retired/United FC playing coach), Dylan Clarke (Port Melbourne), Kobe Mutch (South Adelaide), Mattaes Phillipou (St Kilda), Connor McLeod (Glenelg), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Wodonga Raiders), Mitch Mead (Seaton Ramblers), Ethan Haylock (Norwood), Nathan Barkla (Port Adelaide), Mitch Duval (Unley Mercedes Jets), Seb Guilhaus

Saturday March 4
North 13.9 (87) d Eagles 10.6 (66) at Thebarton Oval

Saturday March 11
Eagles 7.10 (52) d West 4.9 (33) at Hisense Stadium

Friday March 17
Eagles 17.9 (111) d Norwood 9.6 (60) at Thebarton Oval

James Rowe is a Ken Farmer Medallist but you can expect to see a bit more of him inside the centre square upon his return to Oval Avenue this year.

Delisted by Adelaide despite showing promise in kicking 27 goals in 36 AFL games within two seasons, Rowe is a classy mover who makes excellent decisions with the ball in hand.

The 23-year-old, who measures in at 173cm and 73kg, looms as a candidate to be selected in the AFL mid-season draft should he shine in the first half of the season.

But for now, his coach Jade Sheedy is delighted to have his natural talent at his disposal in 2023.

”Rowey has spent a fair bit of time in the middle of the ground (this preseason),” Sheedy noted.

”We still want Rowey at times, playing forward but he’s got to evolve into new roles as well.

”That’s his challenge and out challenge to provide that from our footy club’s point of view.

”He’s been really good throughout the summer and in the trials.”

Regardless of where Adam D’Aloia spends the majority of his career, big things lay ahead for the 18-year-old midfielder.

His coach Jade Sheedy is in no doubt about what he can produce in his rookie season this year and beyond.

And there has been very little hint of disappointment despite not being selected in any of the AFL Drafts having been SA’s U18 captain and MVP in 2022.

”He’s a fantastic young kid – the way he thinks and acts is well beyond his years,” Sheedy said.

”I think there was a little bit of disappointment but he never really showed it.

”Adam just wanted to move on, he’s an Eagles kid who is highly-engaged with the footy club and right now his focus is playing as much League footy as he can.

”We see Adam, if he stays in the SANFL environment – and we hope that he doesn’t as we think he’s good enough to play at the next level with the attributes his got around the footy – we see him as being captain of the footy club one day, winning lots of individual awards and playing some State footy.

”That’s the level this kid can get to. He’s a real competitor and is so clean with the footy, he’s going to be a great addition to our League side this year.”

Torrens University SA U18 coach Tony Bamford profiles the Eagles’ players in 2023

Patrick Weckert
Patty has already had a taste of SANFL league footy, in the last minor round game for the Eagles’ League team last year after kicking eight goals at reserves level in Round 16.

He is a big strong athlete for his age and has learnt to use his power to his advantage.

Up to this stage of his development, he has played in many different positions and roles including key defender, key forward and through the midfield.

He completed Year 12 at Prince Alfred College last year and is now training full-time in the Eagles’ senior program.

His weapons focus on his aerial contest and impact, along with his kick penetration. He plays with a physical and combative style that you want to see from players his size.

Patty is now working on improving his goal kicking efficiency and decision-making. He is also focusing now on how to best manage his time Monday to Friday mixing work, training, game day and recovery.

Callum Fairall
Callum is a smooth-mover across the half-back line who often makes the right decision with the ball. He was fortunate last year to experience playing against men at SANFL Reserves level for four games late in the year.

He has completed a full preseason at senior level with the Eagles and shown promising signs in the trials.

Callum is also completing his Year 12 study this year at Henley High School. His footy IQ, kicking skills, vision and awareness are his current strengths. Callum is working hard to develop his tackling technique and effectiveness as well as his one-on-one contests and defending to a higher level to complement his ball in hand ability.

Oscar Pearce
Oscar is a developing tall, key position player who played well as a key back for Eagles’ U18 team last season.

As a 15 and 16-year-old, he was used more as a key forward but now has the ability to play at both ends. Last season at SANFL U18 level, Oscar was ranked equal first for intercept possessions and second for intercept marks among bottom-age players.

Both of these stats are integral to playing modern-day defence. Oscar has committed himself to improving his kick efficiency and decision-making with the ball in hand. Having moved down from Clare to live in Adelaide a couple of years ago to attend Henley High School, he has had to develop essential life skills quicker than most players his age. He is completing Year 12 this year.

Riley Davey
Riley is a boarding at Immanuel College while he completes Year 12 this year. Originally from the Yorke Peninsula, he has been at Immanuel for the past 2 years.

He hasn’t had the exposure at SANFL level that some other top age U18 players have but has shown some promising signs in his six games at U18 SANFL level in 2022.

Riley is a midfielder with elite leg speed, who can play inside and outside the contest. His current strengths are his ability to win his share of contested possessions as well as his speed and penetration going forward.

Riley is currently working on finding more of the ball in the midfield as well as improving his decision-making and disposal efficiency.