RAA Rookies back for 2019

By ZAC MILBANK

SANFL’s rewarding of Community Football Clubs for fostering talent will continue in 2019 through the RAA Rookies program.

As much as $28,000 was distributed to Community Football Club across South Australia last year, with as many as 56 Croweaters making their Statewide Super League debut.

For each League debutant from SA, their chosen Community Football Club receives $500 and a framed photograph of the player to hang in their clubrooms.

In Round 1 of 2019, 10 players were classified as RAA Rookies, including Glenelg’s highly-rated AFL Draft prospect Will Gould (Lucindale FC) and athletic Eagles forward Jake Weidemann (Woodville South FC), the son of Woodville-West Torrens premiership player Wayne Weidemann.

The pathway to SANFL League football for mature-age players is also gaining strength with Adelaide’s Tom Hutchesson (Millicent FC) and North’s Billy Laurie (Kybybolite FC) both representing the SA Country team and shining at the annual MAC SA Country Championships.

Stay tuned to SANFL’s website and social media channels throughout 2019 to stay up to date with the weekly RAA Rookies and how the tally shapes up for the season ahead.

Round 1 RAA Rookies

Will Gould (Glenelg) Lucindale FC
Finn Betterman (Glenelg) Phantoms FC
Darnell Tucker (South) Happy Valley FC
Ethan East (Central) Willaston FC
Oliver Grivell (Sturt) Hahndorf FC
Hamish Latchford (Adelaide) Prince Alfred OC FC
Tom Hutchesson (Adelaide) Millicent FC
Jake Weidemann (Eagles) Woodville South FC
Tom Schmusch (Eagles) Lockleys FC
Billy Laurie (North) Kybybolite FC