Included this year in South Australia’s preparations for the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships was a game against NSW/ACT in Sydney, as well as games against Woodville West Torrens and North Adelaide.
The squad also played the best 19 and 20-year-olds from the SANFL, allowing players to showcase their talents in front of AFL recruiters.
Darren Trevena is in his third year as South Australia’s Under-18 coach. He will be working with Andrew Rogers (a former Geelong player and Woodville West Torrens captain), Stephen Williams (Port Adelaide Magpies premiership player and three-time premiership coach) and Greg Mellor (SANFL state player and former West Adelaide captain).
Three SANFL Academy members – Shannon Hurn, Darren Pfeiffer and Travis Varcoe – have played SANFL football this year, while another 21 players have represented their clubs at reserves level.
Many of the players selected for Under-18 carnivals in past years have been involved in AFL and SANFL talent programs. Many have made the transition to AFL football, with the likes of Ken McGregor (Adelaide), Matthew Pavlich and Byron Schammer (Fremantle), Warren Tredrea, Shaun Burgoyne and Kane and Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide), Alan Didak (Collingwood) and Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs) making their marks as AFL stars.
Last year, AFL clubs drafted 16 players from the Under-18 state team. Of those, Ryan Griffen, Angus Monfries, Danny Meyer, Ben Eckermann and Cameron Wood have made their AFL debuts in 2005.
The South Australia Under-18 team wishes to thank the SANFL clubs for their help, the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power for their facilities, and the sponsorship of Tip Top Bakeries and Coca-Cola. The team also recognises the contribution made by the players’ parents and the officials of the program.
THE GRADUATE - Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs)
"Adam was capable of winning a game off his own boot. When he played in the 2003 Championships he was very skilful, very powerful and he was well liked by his peers. His performances during that carnival stamped him as the No. 1 draft pick." - South Australian coach Darren Trevena
