2025 SA U16 Squad Released

By ZAC MILBANK

A 30-player SA U16 squad has been released ahead of the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships starting in June.

To be coached by SANFL Coach and Player Developer Heath Younie, the Croweaters have included two bottom-age players – Glenelg’s Zane Rooney and Sturt’s Jacob Westley – in the line-up to compete in Division 1.

South Australia will begin its campaign in Western Australia, tackling the Sandgropers in Perth on Saturday June 21 before heading to Queensland for clashes against Victoria Country at People First Stadium on Tuesday July 15 and Victoria Metro at Fankhauser Reserve on Friday July 18.

West Adelaide’s Percy Burgoyne, the son of Port Adelaide and Hawthorn great Shaun Burgoyne, and Central’s Archie Faulkner, the son of former Bulldog Cameron, are among the familiar surnames to watch for SA.

Bulldog Billy Nicholls is the younger brother of Charlie Nicholls, who was selected from Central by Fremantle in last year’s AFL Draft while South’s Lucas Marshall is the younger sibling of current Port SANFL defender Kyle Marshall.

Sturt pair Taj Garrett and Harvey Chapman return from last year’s SA U16 squad, as well as South Adelaide’s Zemes Pilot and Norwood’s Charlie Best.

Championship-winning SA U16 coach Julian Farkas returns as one of Younie’s assistant mentors, together with Norwood premiership coach Ben Warren and Brett Hudson while former Central District midfielder Brendan Dew will be the team’s runner.

Training will begin on Wednesday May 28 at the Summit in Mount Barker with trial matches scheduled for Wednesday June 11 (v South Adelaide) and Wednesday June 25 (v Prince Alfred College) at Karen Rolton Oval.