Four SANFL players selected in AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft

By ZAC MILBANK

Four SANFL players have found AFL homes after being selected in Wednesday’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Sturt pair Ash Johnson and Jed McEntee landed at Collingwood and Port Adelaide respectively while two forwards in Norwood’s Jackson Callow (Hawthorn) and Eagle Cooper Sharman (St Kilda) were also snapped up.

Johnson, a regular on SANFL’s highlight reels such is penchant for snaring a high mark, could potentially play immediately with the Magpies given his maturity as a 23-year-old.

The athletic medium forward – taken at Pick No.3 – now joins his half-brother and former Double Blue Shane McAdam at elite level, with McAdam currently playing with the Crows.

A member of the 2019 Torrens University SA U18 team, Sturt’s Jed McEntee has also found his way onto an AFL list after having his name called by the Power at Pick No.13.

The 20-year-old has been averaging 19 disposals, five tackles and four clearances across his eight League games this year whilst developing nicely alongside Blues captain James Battersby.

Strong-marking Norwood key forward Callow eventually found his way to Hawthorn at Pick No.17 after training with the Hawks during the Supplementary Selection Period (SSP) this preseason.

Leading the SANFL in contested marks, the 18-year-old hit the headlines when he earned a Powerade Breakthrough Player nomination in Round 7 for his 24 disposals, 11 marks and three goals against Adelaide.

Woodville-West Torrens recruit Cooper Sharman was the final SANFL player chosen, by St Kilda at Pick No.21.

From Leeton in NSW, the 20-year-old played two League and six Reserves games for the Eagles this season while showing promise with his versatility inside 50m.

SANFL had five players selected in the AFL’s inaugural Mid-Season Rookie Draft in 2019, with West Adelaide pair John Noble (Collingwood) and Will Snelling (Essendon) still currently playing at elite level.