Sharrad flies high for 100 SANFL games

By ZAC MILBANK

He’s lined up for the Magpies, Eagles and Crows and now Louis Sharrad is set to have his persistence rewarded when he plays in his 100th Hostplus SANFL League game on Saturday.

The consistent Adelaide midfielder could have been forgiven for hanging up the boots at different junctures of his State League career, instead he will reach triple figures against South Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 28-year-old declared he wasn’t ready to end his time playing at the highest standard possible when his coach at the Eagles – Michael Godden – sounded him out to play under his tutelage at West Lakes in 2022.

Now Sharrad is relishing his role as an experienced development player as the Crows sit nicely inside the top five, linking up with fellow former Eagle Chris Hall, former Bulldogs Jacob Templeton and Isaya McKenzie and impressive midfielder Jay Boyle.

Playing his junior football at Flinders Park FC, Sharrad found himself joining mates for a trial with Port Adelaide’s Magpies before landing a place on their U18 list.

The avid Crows fan then made his League debut in the black-and-white in 2012 against North Adelaide alongside Magarey Medallist Jeremy Clayton and under the guidance of then Magpies coach Tony Bamford.

Sharrad crossed over to Woodville-West Torrens with fellow Magpie Tom Gray for the start of the 2018 season, remaining at Oval Avenue until midway through last year.

And now the Year 11 school teacher is relishing his latest SANFL stint with the Crows, as they seek to play in their first Grand Final since entering the competition in 2014.