State Under 18's Win Again

Thursday July 3, 2014

SANFL CONGRATULATES
McDONALD’S SA UNDER-18 TEAM

The SANFL would like to congratulate the McDonald’s SA Under-18 State team for winning its second AFL Under-18 National Championship in Geelong today.

Coached by SANFL High Performance Manager Brenton Phillips, South Australia defeated Victoria Metro by 9 points at Simonds Stadium to claim the title for the second year in succession.

The Croweaters lost just one match during the tournament as they emulated last year’s drought-breaking AFL Under-18 Championship win.

Dean Gore, Caleb Daniel, Billy Stretch and Alex Neal-Bullen were among SA’s best players today while Josh Hone was the leading goalkicker with 4 majors.

Harrison Wigg was named South Australia’s Most Valuable Player for the Championships.

For more information, including a match report with quotes from Brenton Phillips, log on to www.sanfl.com.au

well done to all the lads

bayman wrote:well done to all the lads

especially to Souths Caleb Daniel...
missed the first 9 weeks of the year with an ankle injury...you could say he had a reasonable game....


217 Champion Data rankings points.

21 disposals at 86 per cent efficiency
three goals, eight score involvements,
four inside 50s
five tackles

He's probably been the difference.

I'd say he would be a top 10 draft pick if he was taller, but he's all quality.

Port's Jake Johansen has always been a leader, through junior ranks at Henley and Port.

Excellent work by the lad to be captain of an U18's Championship team.

Not sure his build will allow him to take a steop up to AFL level, if he doesn't, he will be a quality SANFL player for many years.

Interesting to note that in yesterday's U18 side West, South and Centrals each had one representative, and that in the 25-man U16 squad, West and Centrals each have one represenative and South have none.

Sturt have 11 players and Glenelg 10 in the two combined groups. Some grist for the Boundaries Commission mill perhaps.

I think it has more to do with how clubs develop their zones Sturt has continually had high draft picks and numerous most years and we've had a few of our traditional zones taken away from us over that period.

I don't know about that cutterman. I reckon if South had Mt. Lofty, Hahndorf and Mt. Barker those Sturt kids would still be representing the state as South players.

Not sure what your point is. They're Sturt heartlands, have been for decades. My point is that Sturt lost Blackwood over 5 years ago and another zone a few years ago which doesn't come to mind ATM. What I'm saying is that we've lost some zones that we put a lot of time and resources into and have been for decades and we're still developing good players that are drafted. I think it's more to do with structure

My point is that I'm not sure it is more about player development. I agree it plays a role but I reckon good players living in your zone plays a bigger role. I'd think that the biggest factor contributing to Westies producing Sam Durdin is that he lives in our zone, not that we did something with him that a club like South isn't doing.
If those 11 Sturt kids had grown up in South's zone wouldn't they still, in all likelihood, have made these squads?

Yeh fair enough No.9. I think it's pretty easy for kids to get distracted or lose interest in pursuing footy further than just having a kick. So I think it's important to have development pathways that keep kids interested as well as teaching them about footy and honing their skills. Many for whatever reason fall through the gaps. This is where I think a good program helps. I'm happy to be corrected by someone that is at the coal face. Sturt, from my understanding, has had a very stable and proven junior structure for many years helped run by Jo Dennis. She was doing it when my mates kid was 15, he's 24 now.
Country Cousin would have a better knowledge than myself.