AAMI SA U18 Team defeat SA U20 Team

By ZAC MILBANK 

The AAMI SA U18 Team has tuned up for its 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships defence with a hard-fought 23-point win against the SA U20 Team at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval. 

Leading at every change throughout the afternoon, coach Tony Bamford’s charges looked in good touch for their first hit out as they rotated through 28 players against their mature-age rivals.

Emerging Woodville-West Torrens key defender Mitch Harris looked assured in his role as he claimed the medal for the AAMI SA U18 Team’s best player.

Newly-named vice captain Cain Florance was creative while Richmond father-son prospect Jack Leys also impressed on his home deck.

Key forwards Lincoln Pitt and Jack Slattery also displayed positive signs working inside 50m together ahead of the Carnival, booting three goals each for the AAMI SA U18 Team.

The AAMI SA U18 team will now turn its attention toward a trial match against the NSW Academies next weekend in Adelaide.

The Croweaters will then start their championship defence against Western Australia in Perth on Saturday June 13 at Mineral Resources Park before hosting the Allies at Alberton on Sunday June 21 and away clashes against Victoria Metro (Friday July 3) and Victoria Country (Wednesday July 8).

Coached by Glenelg Reserves Premiership mentor Jared Millington, the SA U20 Team was unable to back up last year’s win despite outscoring their younger opponents in the last quarter.

Norwood wing Jim Kelly caught the eye for the SA U20 Team to claim the medal for best player while Sturt utility Sam Waltham and Central playmaker Ryan Lane-Ellis were also prominent.

Waltham and the Bays’ Luke Candy kicked two goals each to be the leading goal kickers for the SA U20 team, which was captained by Adelaide’s Ned Atkinson.

SA U18  3.3  7.5  9.11   13.13 (91)

SA U20   1.0  4.1  6.5   10.8 (68)

BEST – SA U18: Mitch Harris, Cain Florance, Jack Leys, Jake Eime, Lincoln Pitt, Ethan Herbert.

SA U20: Jim Kelly, Sam Waltham, Ryan Lane-Ellis, James Noack, Jack Cook, Luke Candy.

GOALS – SA U18: Lincoln Pitt, Jack Slattery 3, Laurence Andriani, Blake Karpany, Jacob McNicol, Kai Ivins, Kodah Edwards, Charlie Bradford, Ethan Herbert.

SA U20: Luke Candy, Sam Waltham 2, Charlie Dickeson, Hugh Payze, Ryan Lane-Ellis, Phoenix Hargrave, Bryce Sanders, Ryan Borlace.

SA U18 MVP – Mitch Harris (Eagles)

SA U20 MVP – Jim Kelly (Norwood)

At Maughan Thiem Kia Oval