South Aussie Select – Episode 3

By ZAC MILBANK

South Aussie Select is surging ahead…..a new SANFL produced podcast covering all things talent in the lead up to the AFL National Draft on November 24-25.

Thanks to Torrens University, South Aussie Select includes interviews with some of SANFL’s most promising AFL prospects as well as members of the League’s Talent Department.

In Episode 3, Torrens University SA U19 coach Tony Bamford provides an in-depth analysis of the top South Australian prospects – including likely No.1 AFL Draft Pick – Jason Horne-Francis.

Bamford also covers off the likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Matt Roberts, Arlo Draper and Jase Burgoyne, who has nominated as a father-son selection to Port Adelaide.

But it’s not just their exceptional on-field exploits which are talked about, Bamford also provides fascinating background as to what their interests and personalities are like off the field.

This includes lesser-lights such as Glenelg’s Jarrad Parish who mentors a young man with asperger’s syndrome and Norwood’s Alastair Lord, who is embarking on a double-degree in Law and Commerce.

Woodville-West Torrens’ mature-age draft hopeful Luke Beecken also joins the podcast, to chat about his chances of following a similar path to fellow Eagles Jacob Wehr, Lachie McNeil and James Rowe.

Overlooked for the 2019 AFL Draft despite testing strongly at the AFL Combine that year, the 20-year-old believes he’s a much better player since then, having played a role in his team’s 2021 SANFL League premiership.