2024 SANFL U18 Future Stars

They are the talented local teens set to provide plenty of enthusiasm and excitement in the 2024 Hostplus SANFL League.

SANFL Media’s Zac Milbank has compiled a list of each club’s U18 graduates set to continue their development on senior lists this season.

Find out which players could have an instant impact at League level in their first full senior campaign.

Jayden Matz (Freeling)

Trent Tattoli (Angle Vale)

Tom Giles (Nurioopta)

Ethan Scholz (Nurioopta)

Seb Wauer (Golden Grove)

Asher Pasin (Willaston)

Angus Van De Berg (Salisbury North)

Sam Sibbick (Barossa Districts)

Enrique Mazzeo (Williamstown)

Tom Cochrane (Port Districts)

Noah McDonald (Golden Grove)

Charlie Nicholls (Mintaro-Monoora)

Tallan Rosenzweig (Nurioopta)

Beau Ryan (South Gawler)

James Noack (Angaston)

Brodie Wills (Barossa District)

Lachlan Giles (Golden Grove)

ONE TO WATCH – Trent Tattoli
A prolific midfielder who also earned selection in the SA U18 team last year, Tattoli will be looking to push his claims for a berth in Round 1. Could find himself on a wing or across half-forward in the Hostplus SANFL League this season.

Ben Dewhirst (Brighton)

Anders McShane (Penola)

Bowen Payne (PHOS Camden)

Ryan Wurfel (Brighton)

Harry Francis (Brighton)

Izayah Kean (Henley)

Eli Redman (Millicent)

Beau Symonds (Brighton)

ONE TO WATCH – Harry Francis
An athletic tall forward, Francis boasts untapped potential with clean hands in overhead marking contests. Tested at the AFL State Combine so is on the scouts’ radar but may need to bide his time in the Reserves before breaking into the Tigers’ potent forward combination.

Will Blair (Henley)

Kalan Caputo (Ports)

Harrison Dallimore (Fitzroy)

Jed Dignan (Orroroo)

Luke Harvey (Walkerville)

Brandon Jackson-Martin (Central Augusta)

Tom Tasker (Prince Alfred College)

Angus Tully (Broadview)

ONE TO WATCH – Luke Harvey
He might be the younger brother of North premiership veteran Mitch Harvey but Luke is a completely different player. Boasting the same red locks as his older sibling, Luke Harvey has been developing nicely as a rebounding half-back. Could make his debut as a medium defender, who can push up onto a wing.

Darci Best (Wirrulla/Rostrevor College)

Jacob Jones (Modbury)

Calem Krollig (Waybacks/Rostrevor College)

ONE TO WATCH – Jacob Jones
An absolute ball magnet at Under-18 level in 2023, the Modbury midfielder averaged an eye-popping 25.5 disposals, six tackles, five clearances and four marks in his 12 appearances. He may not earn a League berth early in 2024 but looms as a nice prospect long-term to replace the departing Nik Rokahr and Matt Nunn.

Nic Schroder (Willunga)

Noah Howes (Port Noarlunga)

Blake Rodrigues (Yankalilla)

Zac Keir (Dudley United)

Tom Wheaton (Strathalbyn)

ONE TO WATCH – Tom Wheaton
A dominant force around the stoppages at U18 level, Wheaton has the mature frame ready to step straight into League ranks this season. A member of last year’s SA U18 team, the Strathalbyn product should have plenty of opportunity to press for selection in Round 1.

Luca Slade (Glenunga)

Alex Holt (Glenunga)

Chad Reschke (Mannum)

Thomas McCourt (Mt Lofty)

George Pope (Mt Barker)

Jayden Adams (Goodwood)

Henry Maerschel (Walkerville)

Ted Newman (Walkerville)

Kobe McEntee (Mitcham)

Declan Gladigau (Mannum)

Brodie Maloney (Mannum)

Fraser Greaves (Glenunga)

ONE TO WATCH – Luca Slade
The son of Central District premiership rover Matt Slade is entering his second senior preseason after being overlooked in the 2023 AFL Draft. A smooth-mover and smart decision-maker with the ball, Slade will be eyeing off the wing vacated by Marty Frederick’s late move to Claremont in the WAFL.

Samuel Burbridge (Flagstaff Hill)

Max Downs (Edwardstown)

Judd Hansen (North Haven/Renmark)

Charlie Haysman (Unley)

Riley Hill (Goodwood Saints)

Jack Hutton (Mitcham)

Max McKenzie (Onkaparinga Valley)

Jack Oates (Loxton/Tailem Bend)

Padrick O’Donoghue (Goodwood Saints)

William Patton (Mitcham)

Oscar Talbot (Goodwood Saints)

ONE TO WATCH – Will Patton
Widely considered as South Australia’s hard luck story after not having his name called in the 2023 AFL Draft, Patton should be excited about his opportunity to become a League regular with the Bloods this season. A lovely left-foot kick, the SA U18 captain will be pushing for a spot as a medium defender in Round 1.

Patrick Weckert (Brinkworth Spalding Redhill)

Brody Mair (Port District)

Patrick Toole (Henley)

Callum Fairall (Flinders Park)

Izaac Niemann (Henley)

Archer Charles (Port District)

Darcy Hudson (Flinders Park)

Oscar Pearce (North Clare)

Jake Andrews (Port District)

Riley Davey (Central Yorke Cougars)

Griffyn Hansen (Kadina)

Jordan Tilbrook (Southern Eagles)

Josh Capogreco (SMOSH West Lakes)

ONE TO WATCH – Patrick Weckert
The strong-marking key forward made his League debut at the end of the 2022 season so is no stranger to playing against men. Boasting nice hands overhead and a neat set shot for goal, Weckert will be eager to be the Eagles’ focal point inside 50m under new coach Sam Jacobs this year.