Blayne O’Loughlin joins Crows under SANFL Rookie Program

By ZAC MILBANK

Adelaide has signed promising North Adelaide defender Blayne O’Loughlin under the SANFL Rookie Program for season 2023.

O’Loughlin, one of three signings announced by the Crows along with West premiership wingman Hugh Haysman and Roosters junior Stephen Tahana, will join Adelaide’s SANFL team for one season before returning to Prospect in 2024 and 2025 if not selected in next year’s AFL Draft.

The 19-year-old is yet to make his Hostplus League debut for the Roosters but will be given every opportunity to progress under SANFL Crows coach Michael Godden next season.

Under the SANFL Rookie Program, O’Loughlin will train with Adelaide’s SANFL and AFL team during the week, and if not selected in the league team, will return to play with North Adelaide’s reserves.

“This is a great opportunity for Blayne and his development as a footballer,” SANFL Head of Football Operations Sean Toohey said.

”He can train in an AFL environment and play some SANFL League football whilst still maintaining a connection with his SANFL club in North Adelaide, who have been hugely supportive of the initiative.

“All parties are to be commended on their collaboration in leveraging the SANFL Rookie Program to benefit Blayne and his overall development, it’s a great example of what can be achieved when the player’s best interests are front of mind.”

A member of the Crows’ Next Generation Academy as a junior, O’Loughlin trained with Adelaide’s AFL side in 2020 and 2021 while playing with the Roosters.

North Adelaide Football Operations Manager Darryl Wintle said the club was supportive of O’Loughlin’s ambition to be drafted from the SANFL Rookie Program.

”This will allow Blayne to develop as a player and a person with AFL resources,” Wintle said.

”We support Blayne in his pursuit to get on an AFL list and we think this will allow him to see what it’s like first-hand, being around an AFL environment.

”At the end of the year, if he doesn’t get drafted, he has committed to us for the 2024 and 2025 seasons so we are supportive of Blayne taking up the opportunity.”

Adelaide SANFL and Academies Manager Jarrod Meers praised the attitude of the Roosters, noting all parties aimed to provide O’Loughlin with the chance to develop at League level.

”North Adelaide has been outstanding to deal with,” Meers said.

”All parties have been on the same page throughout the whole process which has been really pleasing.

”Blayne has been the No.1 priority in this, giving him an opportunity at League level as he desires to play as much as he can.

”The SANFL Rookie Program lends itself to maximising every opportunity for someone to play at the highest possible level in the best State League Competition in Australia.

”Blayne is coming from a magnificent SANFL club and he’s also coming into another really good SANFL/AFL program, so he gets the best of both worlds.

”If Blayne is not playing with us for whatever reason, he can go back to his club but this provides him to value add to what he’s been doing at North Adelaide.”

Together with O’Loughlin’s signing, the Crows announced Haysman and Tahana will add to their pool of experienced SANFL-contracted talent next year.

Adelaide will reveal more SANFL signings, including its marquee player, in the coming weeks.