U18 Champs MATCH THREAD; U18 Champs SA v WA 12.30 AEST @ Alberton

[Sizzlepack]

Finally a chance to add to a few more notes.

SA a very strong performance, and could have been bigger if not for inaccurate kicking early. I must say I really thought WA would have the tools to take it right up to SA but certainly didn't happen that way. I may have underestimated SA a bit and overestimated other states as typical SA drops off from their Under 16 year. Not the case this time round.

Few players of note:

Sharp - Supreme performance and a typical game from him. I must say I am miffed at the comments reading around various boards and threads that he's improved his outside run and showing something else other than an inside game. He's always played like this for years, he's simply doing it at the National Champs when everyone can see. He can play better as well but he was good today. Works hard up and down the ground, strong overhead and had plenty of time resting forward and as you saw, good on the lead. His perceived lack of upside is more a case of he doesn't have another level to go to yet to show it, he's risen to the level quickly from just being a damn good footballer. AFL is next. Offensively and defensively as rounded as a mid that you will see. The best hands in the draft class, no questions asked. Anticipates plays, knows his structures and runs AFL lines to get involved. Unobtrusive but impactful. A real leader and always puts in big games when it counts. You love to play for a captain like him and probably a big reason why SA are doing so well. He's been my pick 1 for over 2 years and that certainly has not changed today. If Sam Walsh can go pick 1 then Sharp certainly can.

Nairn - very impressive game and made the most of his opportunities by kicking accurately, even if some of his goals were imo complete gifts by the umps who should probably find another job to do, they were woeful. His ability to read the ball in the air but remain balanced when it hits the deck was a highlight. Can play tall and small, he's had a really good 2025 and has been putting in at club level as well. He's deserving of some league SANFL now.

Schubert - The kid with the worlds biggest feet, makes Ian Thorpe's look small. Started very well, getting involved and marking well. Kicking still his main issue but competed well when thrown into the ruck and worked well to space. Even finished the game playing down back. He's most definitely a forward though. The future is very bright.

Cumming - Gotta love this kid, runs hard and is very clean, can play a vast variety of roles from inside mid to half back, wing or half forward where his lead up play to space has been super. Had a great game today and was one of the best for SA.

Kellaway - His best game by far this champs, ran hard all day and got involved in a number of link plays, very clean and showed some real dash at times, not much sideways stuff just straight forward play all day. Richmond would be very pleased with his game today.

Barker - He sure tries to take the game on, great overhead and showed some speed and power at times, although really needs to remember he has to look for team mates that are in better positions as at times he burnt a few by doing a litte too much. Very draftable, great size and could play AFL early on.

Ainsworth - there's a player here but his standard deviation from his best to worst is probably the highest in the side. At times he taps beautifully and follows up his work with some wonderful movement and clean play or is marking strongly overhead or running like a gazelle. And then other times he looks like ROB crossed with a giraffe that is drunk, fumbly, bumbly and doing all sorts of bad things. But nice upside, he's certainly draftable but is gunna get belted in the ruck if he doesn't grow. Could well form into a key defender.

Marsh - geez he does some nice things, like Nairn but just a bigger version. Has real presence at times and can clunk them or get on the lead. Does show some Phillipou like traits at times or Mason Wood. I think he can play deep forward as that third tall or push up the ground and get involved. Absolutely an AFL player in the making.

Alver - Prob the suprise packet for me (not counting Nairn). He really ran hard and pushed forward to receive, great run and carry and a nice goal. A busy day at the office.

WA:

Rodriguez - after a fairly quiet first term he worked hard to get into the game and more than held his own. He's a beautiful mover when he starts running and is a sight to behold when he weaves around players and then delivers it cleanly. Probably the best for WA today in the end and one of very few who could hold their head up.

Whan - He must frustrate, has a lot of weapons and sometimes uses them and sometimes burns with them. Some great kicks and some shockers but is a hell of a talent in the making.

Swadling - He was ok but his damage wasn't huge by any stretch. Was hoping to see him stamp himself in the middle but didn't quite look up to the occasion. Still not a bad game.

Van Rooyen - Big kid, and far too strong at times for Ainsworth but didn't always show the best craft. Fought for the ball, really cracked in and never stopped trying all day. I like what I see and could be a fair player by 2026.

Williams - he's got some really good zip, clean and speedy at times reminds me a bit of Danyle Pearce of yesteryear. Good game for the limited ball he did get.

Farrow - Big upside here, did a lot of nice things, good size, nice kick on him. Will be following him closely, very much an AFL player.

Great write-up, thanks.

 

[PMBangers]

Finally got around to watching, only real thing I have to add is just how clear it is that this SA group love each other and love the team as a whole, every action, whether it's a smother, a mark, a tackle, gets applause from teammates whereas every other Champs team has felt self centred. Not sure if player or coach driven, but it's easy to see why SA will probably go undefeated despite the pre-champs predictions

 

[Futbolista]

Finally got around to watching, only real thing I have to add is just how clear it is that this SA group love each other and love the team as a whole, every action, whether it's a smother, a mark, a tackle, gets applause from teammates whereas every other Champs team has felt self centred. Not sure if player or coach driven, but it's easy to see why SA will probably go undefeated despite the pre-champs predictions

Yep, it's sheer will or lack of and between the ears for some of these other blokes.

 

[Sizzlepack]

Finally got around to watching, only real thing I have to add is just how clear it is that this SA group love each other and love the team as a whole, every action, whether it's a smother, a mark, a tackle, gets applause from teammates whereas every other Champs team has felt self centred. Not sure if player or coach driven, but it's easy to see why SA will probably go undefeated despite the pre-champs predictions

Feels perhaps like a feather in Sharp's cap? The side also looks much more tactically cohesive than last year.

 

[PMBangers]

Feels perhaps like a feather in Sharp's cap? The side also looks much more tactically cohesive than last year.

Leaders set standards, definitely solidifies his qualities there

 

[tigs2010]

Feels perhaps like a feather in Sharp's cap? The side also looks much more tactically cohesive than last year.

Absolutely. One of his best attributes is getting the team to follow him.

 

[Mutineer]

None of which changes the fact the Allies have by far the most individual talent IMO and I'm pretty sure that will be reflected draft night.