Under Age U16s - 2028 AFL Draft General Discussion

[ShaneSingleton99]

Despite playing a year young, Sam DePalma has been one of West Adelaide’s most consistent and exciting performers in the 2025 SANFL U16s season.

The underager started the year as a dangerous forward, hitting the scoreboard with multiple two-goal games early on. By mid-season, he had transitioned into a midfield role — and thrived. In Round 9, DePalma delivered a standout performance with 22 disposals and 3 goals, stamping himself as a genuine dual threat.

He continued to shine deeper into the year, with SANFL match reports calling him “prolific” in West’s Round 14 win over Woodville-West Torrens — a nod to his growing ball-winning ability and clean use under pressure.

For a player still eligible next season, DePalma’s poise, footy IQ, and versatility have made him a key part of West Adelaide’s U16 campaign — and a name to watch moving forward.

 

[ShaneSingleton99]

#1 Prospect Harrison Webb is finding some form in his second week returning from injury, just ahead of a huge 15’s Carnival Campaign.

Webb had 22 disposals, booting 3 goals.

With a match high 119 Ranking Points.

 

[ShaneSingleton99]

Aware of his age U14- One to keep an eye on is double underager Hugo Williams, whose recent stat sheets stand out in West Adelaide’s U16 side:

• Round 12 vs Central District: Won 10+ contested possessions and laid 8 tackles, earning coach recognition as one of the best five players

• Round 13 vs Glenelg: Racked up 24 disposals, 7 clearances, and 6 tackles, again named among the top performers in a dominant win

• Round 14 vs Woodville‑West Torrens: Gathered 27 disposals, 9 clearances, 8 tackles, and booted a goal under rainy conditions—another best-on-ground outing

Looking to the future Williams will definitely look to dominate U16’s for the next 2 YEARS as his developed size and work rate are already outstanding. Nonetheless with a couple attitude misdemeanours, as young talent finds, once he finds the balance between ego and performance a pure talent will be found.

One for us to watch.

 

[gucciavo]

One that i am exited to fly up and watch in action next week at the U/15 championships is Sam De Palmer. Takes about multiple times already on this page but needs to be mentioned once again. I Was lucky enough to watch him play v North Adelaide in the U/16 on saturday collecting an impressive 28 disposals 5 marks, 4 tackles and 103 ranking points. De Palmer played mostly forward having little squirts on ball but extremely impressive to amass that much footy playing a mostly half forward role. Should play a similar position in Brisbane next week but wouldn’t be surprised with some midfield minutes as well.

 

[gucciavo]

Aware of his age U14- One to keep an eye on is double underager Hugo Williams, whose recent stat sheets stand out in West Adelaide’s U16 side:

• Round 12 vs Central District: Won 10+ contested possessions and laid 8 tackles, earning coach recognition as one of the best five players

• Round 13 vs Glenelg: Racked up 24 disposals, 7 clearances, and 6 tackles, again named among the top performers in a dominant win

• Round 14 vs Woodville‑West Torrens: Gathered 27 disposals, 9 clearances, 8 tackles, and booted a goal under rainy conditions—another best-on-ground outing

Looking to the future Williams will definitely look to dominate U16’s for the next 2 YEARS as his developed size and work rate are already outstanding. Nonetheless with a couple attitude misdemeanours, as young talent finds, once he finds the balance between ego and performance a pure talent will be found.

One for us to watch.

Played on the weekend as well showing some very good traits early on with immense size for his age and ball winning ability when it’s on the ground. Burns the footy a bit by foot but still so young and can develop his footskills.

Williams had 20 disposals, 1 goal and 4 clearances certainly one to keep an eye on

 

[RedmanWasHere]

In some sections of Australia, he'd be Sam De Palma.
In others, Sam De Parmi.

 

[ShaneSingleton99]

One that i am exited to fly up and watch in action next week at the U/15 championships is Sam De Palmer. Takes about multiple times already on this page but needs to be mentioned once again. I Was lucky enough to watch him play v North Adelaide in the U/16 on saturday collecting an impressive 28 disposals 5 marks, 4 tackles and 103 ranking points. De Palmer played mostly forward having little squirts on ball but extremely impressive to amass that much footy playing a mostly half forward role. Should play a similar position in Brisbane next week but wouldn’t be surprised with some midfield minutes as well.

Scouting?

 

[gucciavo]

Scouting?

Yeah going up to have a look at some underage talent for future drafts

 

[gucciavo]

Haggas What players should I keep an eye on up in Queensland next week

- Minus the SA lads know them quite well.

 

[Half Back Pocket]

Miller, O’Callaghan, Hardman probably the most experienced Vics (all playing u16s)

 

[gucciavo]

Congrats to the following West Aussies plus emergencies:

​

Liam​	Beauclarke​	Bunbury Catholic College​
Thomas​	Bloxsome​	Warwick Senior High School​
Owen​	Bowes​	St Marks Anglican Community School​
Zinzan​	Clark​	Kalgoorlie Boulder Community High School​
Ashley​	Clayton​	Kent Street Senior High School​
Will​	Davy​	Christian Brothers College Fremantle​
Chase​	Floresta​	Darling Range Secondary College​
Reid​	Gellatly​	Ridge View Secondary College​
Sam​	Gooch​	John XXIII College​
Blake​	Graves​	Wesley College​
Benjamin​	Hawkins​	Sacred Heart College​
Coby​	Jackson​	Eastern Hills Senior High School​
Jagger​	Johnson​	St Mary MacKillop College​
Jai​	Keene​	Comet Bay College​
James​	Kent​	Eastern Hills Senior High School​
Aiden​	Martignago​	Wesley College​
Hayden​	Miranda​	Chisholm Catholic College​
Levi​	Ord​	Carine Senior High School​
Eden​	Serjeant​	Rockingham Senior High School​
Jayke​	Taylor​	Darling Range Sports College​
Lachlan​	Wall​	Willetton Senior High School​
Troy​	Warner​	Aquinas College​
Luke​	Websdale Jnr​	Trinity College​
Aiden​	Wilson​	Leeming Senior High School​
Lincoln​	Workman​	Court Grammar School​

​

TRAIN-ON GROUP​
Bernard​	Edmondson​	Bunbury Catholic College​
Naka​	Herwanto​	Wesley College​
Lachlan​	Hewick​	Baldivis Secondary College​
Jack​	Holland​	Trinity College​
Samuel​	Keys​	Trinity College​
Campbell​	Lee​	John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School​
Ezekiel​	Little​	Coodanup College​
Jed​	McGuane​	Sacred Heart College​
Zenon​	Parsons​	Guilford Grammar School​
Eli​	Veivers​	Peter Carnley Anglican Community School​
Rory​	Walton​	Mandurah Baptist College​

Who are the top players out of this crop?

 

[gucciavo]

200cm for Mac Seebeck.


OOOOOOF!

Who for?

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Who for?

Gold Coast's academy.

 

[gucciavo]

Gold Coast's academy.

Playing SSA 15’s for Queensland?

 

[gucciavo]

View attachment 2328871

Haggas any notable players in this group?

 

[Haggas]

Haggas any notable players in this group?

I would say but not real sure on Queensland lads.
Mac Seeback
Darcy Pearson
Jordan Kaesler
Harley Wolbers
Ryan Hutchings
Xavier Salvana

 

[Haggas]

Who are the top players out of this crop?

Ashley Clayton
Troy Warner (Chad Warner's youngest brother)
Jayke Taylor
Jai Keene
Aiden Martignago
Blake Graves

 

[Haggas]

Haggas What players should I keep an eye on up in Queensland next week

- Minus the SA lads know them quite well.

What is your rankings on SA talent for this draft?

 

[gucciavo]

What is your rankings on SA talent for this draft?

They are all very even most if not all have played bottom age 16's but i was to order them I would go something like this

1. Zane Rooney
2. Jacob Westley
3. Harrison Webb
4. Harry Hobby
5. Jack Gallager
6. Sam De Palmer
7. Brock Langeluddecke
8. Kade Clark
9. Lachlan Gill
10. Sam Casey
11. Tyler Hitch

Other notable names who can play
Logan Treverton
George Bass
Tyson Schultz
Bailey James

Dont know some of the country lads so cant comment on them

 

[gucciavo]

Ashley Clayton
Troy Warner (Chad Warner's youngest brother)
Jayke Taylor
Jai Keene
Aiden Martignago
Blake Graves

How does Troy Warner go?

 

[ShaneSingleton99]

They are all very even most if not all have played bottom age 16's but i was to order them I would go something like this

1. Zane Rooney
2. Jacob Westley
3. Harrison Webb
4. Harry Hobby
5. Jack Gallager
6. Sam De Palmer
7. Brock Langeluddecke
8. Kade Clark
9. Lachlan Gill
10. Sam Casey
11. Tyler Hitch

Other notable names who can play
Logan Treverton
George Bass
Tyson Schultz
Bailey James

Dont know some of the country lads so cant comment on them

I'd say, State U16's kids (including Webb)

1 - Rooney
2 - Webb
3 - Westley

Then 4-6 all pretty even - would even consider Hobby over Westley.

Westley is in the 16's SA Squad, purley due to his testing numbers, and body composition (tall with athletic potential). Hobby has developed sharply in the last 4 months, finding form at the 16's level for NAFC. If he started the year in his current form, I would definitely consider him a chance in the 16's squad - probably without playing a game, but more for the experience in preparation for 2026 (much like Westley).

Unsure of the rest - this carnival is the starting point when scouting for the 'grey zone' talent.

 

[gucciavo]

I'd say, State U16's kids (including Webb)

1 - Rooney
2 - Webb
3 - Westley

Then 4-6 all pretty even - would even consider Hobby over Westley.

Westley is in the 16's SA Squad, purley due to his testing numbers, and body composition (tall with athletic potential). Hobby has developed sharply in the last 4 months, finding form at the 16's level for NAFC. If he started the year in his current form, I would definitely consider him a chance in the 16's squad - probably without playing a game, but more for the experience in preparation for 2026 (much like Westley).

Unsure of the rest - this carnival is the starting point when scouting for the 'grey zone' talent.

Had Webb at 3 because he missed some footy due to injury defiantly reckon he wil go back up the ranks after the 15's carnival.

 

[gucciavo]

Troy Warner dominated first qtr v SA

 

[Haggas]

How does Troy Warner go?

Played real well as an underager vs SA. Still need to watch the rest of the games though

 

[Haggas]

Anyone have team lists? Gameday page doesn't have teams of course