2023 Hostplus Sturt Pocket Profile

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

Friday March 3
Sturt 9.10 (64) d Glenelg 9.7 (61) Thebarton Oval

Saturday March 11
Sturt 11.10 (76) d Norwood 6.5 (41) at Hisense Stadium

Friday March 17
Sturt 17.5 (107) d West 7.5 (47) at Hisense Stadium

Plenty of clubs were circling delisted Port Adelaide speedster Marty Frederick at the end of last season.

A number of WAFL teams, together with Frederick’s original SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens, were hopeful of enticing the 22-year-old but in the end, he settled with the Double Blues.

And Sturt premiership coach Marty Mattner couldn’t be happier, given he was keen to inject more pace into his midfield mix for 2023.

”Marty is that talented player who has been an AFL list for a few years now,” Mattner said of Frederick, who managed 14 AFL games with the Power in 2021 and 2022.

”He adds something different (speed) that we don’t have and that’s what we really wanted to get.”

Frederick, who is of South Sudanese descent, is the twin brother of Fremantle Dockers forward Michael Frederick.

There are a lot of similarities between Sturt defender Ned Walter and fellow Double Blues backman Will Coomblas.

Like Coomblas initially, Walter is developing his craft in the Reserves after forging a promising junior career at Unley having captained previously at U18 level.

Boasting similar size and versatility to Coomblas, Walter – who measures in at 182cm and 75kg – is edging closer to his League debut in 2023.

”He had an opportunity in a trial at League level last year but couldn’t quite break in,” Sturt coach Marty Mattner said.

”He’s been captain of our U18s and Reserves so his leadership traits and defending have been really good, he was a great intercept mark in the Reserves last year.

”Ned is one of those players who hopefully gets and opportunity this year – he has been building his craft nicely this preseason.”

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

Alex Holt
Alex represented SA U18’s last year as a bottom-age player, playing in three games as a small defender. His competitive one-on-one nature, along with a strong desire to nullify his direct opponent’s influence on the game, are his strong points. Alex also shows great defensive anticipation and gets himself into good positions to break down the opposition’s ball movement or even intercept the play. His growth and continued development will come from his decision making and use of the ball coming out of the defensive 50m arc. He has been training at senior level with Sturt during the preseason and will be pushing for league selection during the year.

Luca Slade
Luca is an inside-outside midfielder with high game IQ as he uses the ball well by hand and foot. He plays a strong, inside ball-winning role despite not being as big and strong physically as some of the other midfielders his age. He has been training with the seniors during preseason and was rewarded with some Reserves trials in March. Luca is very professional for his age with a fierce desire to maximise his potential and opportunities in front of him. He will also be juggling Year 12 studies and college footy for Prince Alfred College this year. Luca is the son of  Central District premiership player Matt Slade.

Fraser Greaves
Fraser is a work in progress, along with most young ruckmen. The big fella was able to impact SANFL U18 level last year as an U17 ruckman, finishing second in hit outs and first for intercept marks by a ruckman. His ruck craft is advanced for his age and he is now focused on improving his marking numbers and impact in general play, especially when playing ahead of the ball. We would expect him to be the lead ruckman for Sturt’s U18 team again this season.

Chad Reschke
Chad has already experienced senior SANFL footy last year, playing two games at Reserves level, including the Grand Final win against North Adelaide. At SANFL U18 level, he was the competition’s leading goal kicker and first for marks taken inside 50m. Chad is a very powerful, strongly-built medium-sized key forward (think Jason Dunstall type) who has a really nice acceleration and 0-20m speed for his position. On top of that, his hands on the lead are very strong and reliable, as is his set shot for goal kicking (68 goals 21 behinds). Chad has committed to improving his defensive transition and impact as a key forward this season. Off the field, Chad is completing a school-based apprenticeship this year at Mannum High School.

Loch Rawlinson
Loch has speed to burn! He plays the game with a fierce attack on the ball and the opposition whilst also hunting the ball at ground level very well. He ranked first for U17s in ground balls and hard ball gets in season 2022. Loch is looking to get an uninterrupted season in this year after missing significant time last year due to a foot injury. While spending most of his game time in and around the midfield in past years, he will need to work on his small forward/ high forward craft this season if he wants to impress AFL recruiters.

Ted Newman
Ted is a medium-tall intercept defender who also possesses a very nice looking left foot kick and strong game IQ. Ted was first spotted playing tall back for St Peter’s College as a 16-year-old where he was able to roll off his direct opponent and get to the drop of the ball to mark and set up offense.  Ted is committed to growing all aspect of his game this year with a focus on contested marking, footwork and body position as well as increasing his tackle rate and effectiveness. He is also doing year 12 at St Peters and will again be managing his college footy along side his Sturt footy.