2022 SANFL U18 Talent Hub

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia’s next wave of talented teenagers is set to gather next week following the release of the 39-player 2022 SANFL U18 Talent Hub.

Gearing up for a four-day camp from Monday December 6 to Friday December 10 at Thebarton Oval, the SANFL U18 Talent Hub will include 26 top-age and 13 under-age players.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Torrens University SA U18 coach Tony Bamford said he was looking forward to establishing relationships with next year’s AFL Draft hopefuls, with public speaking and team building exercises on the agenda.

Players will also be tasked with executing a ”Masterchef Challenge” at home while also taking charge of the parents BBQ on Thursday night.

Just days after 13 SANFL players were selected in the 2021 AFL National and Rookie Drafts, attention has turned to the Class of 2022, with Woodville-West Torrens’ Adam D’Aloia and West Adelaide’s Harry Lemmey headlining the group.

Captain of the Torrens University SA U17 team, D’Aloia is a big-bodied midfielder who also shone on the big stage when winning the Alan Stewart Medal as best afield in the 2021 U18 Torrens University Cup Grand Final.

Lemmey, a tall forward who can also play in the ruck, made his League debut for the Bloods as a 17-year-old, boasting clean hands and a versatile frame for someone standing 199cm.

Competitive South ruckman Will Verrall – 200cm and 92kg – is another bigman to keep an eye on while a pair of Crows Next Generation prospects in Isaac Keeler and Max Michalanney are expected to feature next season.

Tall Roosters’ forward Keeler is tied to Adelaide through its indigenous NGA while Michalanney qualifies as a father-son after his dad Jim, a premiership player with Norwood, played 211 games for the Redlegs from 1974 to 1986.

SANFL father-sons in the squad include Sturt’s Luca Slade, son of Central premiership midfielder Matt Slade and Mattaes Phillipou, son of Eagles and Port forward Sam Phillipou.

The 2022 SANFL U18 Talent Hub will have another four-day camp next year, starting on January 17.