AAMI Rookies make their mark in 2023

By ZAC MILBANK

SANFL clubs are continuing to invest in South Australian products with as many as 49 AAMI Rookies making their Hostplus League debut in 2023.

The class of 2023 featured a diverse array of young and mature-age talent as players were handed their opportunity to shine throughout the minor round.

Glenelg premiership forward Archie Lovelock and Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Adam D’Aloia were among the 13 players to line-up for their first League game in Round 1, the most AAMI Rookies unveiled in a round this year.

At the other end of the spectrum, Adelaide marquee signing Jack Madgen, originally from Barossa Districts FC, made his long-awaited SANFL debut at the age of 29.

Fellow Crow Blayne O’Loughlin, who transferred to West Lakes from North Adelaide under the SANFL’s AFL rookie program, played his first League game in the opening round before tallying 15 for the season.

Glenelg goalsneak Matthew Coulthard played his first senior match in Round 5 before being snapped up by Richmond in the AFL Mid-Season Draft three weeks later.

Just two days after his 17th birthday, South Adelaide midfielder Sid Draper gave us a glimpse into his exciting future by lining up in the Panthers’ League team in Round 12, before playing another two matches at senior level.

Fellow Panthers product Jack Delean, considered a strong chance to be selected in this year’s AFL Draft, stepped up to League level in Round 15 to take an eye-catching mark and kick two goals on debut.

All AAMI Rookies to make their League debut this year earned $500 for their original Community Football Club as well as a framed picture of them to hang in the clubrooms.

There was only one weekend, Round 4, in which there wasn’t an AAMI Rookie chosen to make his Hostplus SANFL League debut.

ROUND 1
Jack Saunders (Norwood) – Walkerville FC/Unley Jets FC
Logan Evans (Norwood) – Hectorville FC
Adam D’Aloia (Eagles) – Henley FC
Charlie Dinning (North Adelaide) – South Clare FC
Kane Sherlock (West Adelaide) – Plympton FC/PHOS Camden FC
Joshua Sheppard (West Adelaide) – Broadview FC/Goolwa-Pt Elliott FC
Dale Pearce (Central District) – Portland FC/Port District FC
Archie Lovelock (Glenelg) – PHOS Camden FC
Will Francou (Port Adelaide) – Walkerville FC
Jack Madgen (Adelaide) – Barossa District FC
Blayne O’Loughlin (Adelaide) – Gepps Cross FC
Kyle Marshall (Port Adelaide) – Port Noarlunga FC
Tom Scully (Port Adelaide) – Lockleys F

ROUND 2
Billy Dowling (Adelaide) – Walkerville FC

ROUND 3
Jack McCann (North) – Flinders Park FC
Lukas Cooke (Eagles) – Lockleys FC/Henley FC
Liam Robinson (Norwood) – Adelaide University FC

ROUND 4
Nil

ROUND 5
Josh Byrne (North) – Central Whyalla FC
Matthew Coulthard (Glenelg) – Port Noarlunga FC

ROUND 6
Charlie Fryer (Sturt) – Mount Lofty FC
Austin Kitschke (Glenelg) – North Gambier FC/East Gambier FC
Darcy Minchella (West) – Berri FC
Cameron Kirkland (South) – Reynella FC
Luke Mitton (South) – McLaren Districts FC

ROUND 7
Dylan McCormick (West) – Blackwood FC
Max Blacker (North) – Walkerville FC
Hugh Ferrari (Port) – Mitcham FC/Old Ignations FC

ROUND 8
Chad Reschke (Sturt) – Mannum FC
Harvey Bock (West) – Goodwood Saints FC

ROUND 9
Cooper Rogers (South Adelaide) – McLaren Districts FC
Koby Cockshell (South Adelaide) – Kingscote FC

ROUND 10
Ned Walter (Sturt) – Mount Lofty FC

ROUND 11
Hughen Wissman (North Adelaide) – Walkerville FC
Aaron Douglass (South Adelaide) – Willunga FC

ROUND 12
Sid Draper (South Adelaide) – Willunga FC

ROUND 13
Izaak Twelftree (Norwood) – Pembroke OS

ROUND 14
Jesse Thackeray (West) – Loxton North FC
Beau Thomas (Central) – Gawler Central FC
Angus Bradley (South) – Willunga FC
Kade Herbert (Eagles) – Bute FC
Jay Watson (Eagles) – SMOSH West Lakes FC

ROUND 15
Jack Delean (South Adelaide) – Reynella FC
Harrison Dawkins (Woodville-West Torrens) – Henley FC

ROUND 16
Jayden Gale (Norwood) – Cummins Kappinie FC
Will Ferrari (Port) – Old Ignations FC

ROUND 17
Jarman Sigal (Adelaide) – Brighton FC
Jacob Collins (South) – Tasman FC
Jordan White (West) – Renmark FC

ROUND 18
Jed Obst (West Adelaide) – Mitcham FC