Eleven First Year Players join Senior Men’s Program

The Norwood Football Club has transitioned 11 players from last year’s U18 program into the Senior Men’s squad – the largest group of first year U18s in at least five years. 

2025 U18s Mac Seal, Noah Daw, Jeff Rozenbilds, Sam Ainsworth, Will Prescott, Archie James, Darcy Speyer, Seb Lennon, Micah Kretschmer, Jim Kelly and Fergus Myall have participated in the full Senior pre-season thus far.

18-year-old key defender Balyn O’Brien – who played six SANFL matches last year – has been training with Port Adelaide’s AFL squad, aiming for a spot on the Power’s list.

Daw, Rozenbilds, Ainsworth, Prescott, Speyer, Kretschmer, Kelly and O’Brien all had a taste of senior football last season, playing Reserves football for Norwood in the back half of the 2025 season.

Kelly, Daw, Ainsworth and O’Brien all represented South Australia in the 2025 AFL U18 Boys Championships, while Myall was also a member of the squad.

Norwood GM of Football Dan Menzel had been impressed with the attitude and performance of the first year group thus far.

“We have had 11 players come up from the U18 squad from last season to join the senior squad, which makes up 20% of our current Senior Men’s squad” he said.

“These guys have brought some real energy and excitement to the playing group, and whilst a lot of training is based around educating them about how we play senior football, they have stood up under the pressure of pre-season.

“It’s no doubt a step up in intensity and conditioning, but has been really pleasing is seeing each individual showcase their skills and flair. This gives us great optimism that they will have a big impact within the program.

“We see this as a great group that will play a lot of quality senior football at this club for many years to come.”

Not since the 2020 group of U18s (a year which included Cooper Murley, Henry Nelligan, Alastair Lord, Xavier Tranfa and Finn Heard) has more than 11 players entered the senior program.

The club has also welcomed back past junior players, Taj Rahui, Caleb Barton and Toby Callow for the 2026 season.