AAMI Rookies on the increase in 2022

By ZAC MILBANK

SANFL clubs are continuing to invest in South Australian products with as many as 73 AAMI Rookies making their Hostplus League debut in 2022.

A significant increase on the 52 locals to play their first game in 2021, the class of 2022 featured a diverse array of young and mature-age talent.

Norwood premiership forward Ben Jarvis and North Adelaide grand final combatant Harrison Elbrow were among the 18 players to line-up for their first League game in Round 1, the most AAMI Rookies unveiled in a round this year.

Key forwards Tyson Brazel (North) and Max Marslen (West) had their perseverance rewarded with long-awaited debuts at the age of 24 and 25 respectively.

Eagles defender Connor McLeod, the son of dual Norm Smith Medallist Andrew McLeod, was another player recognised for his persistence, making his debut in Round 14 after spending the past four seasons in the Reserves.

Strong-marking Sturt forward Tom Emmett, 20, made his presence felt after his first game in Round 6, booting 17 goals for the season en route to being invited to the State AFL Draft Combine next month.

Potential AFL Draftees such as Norwood defender and Crows father-son prospect Max Michalanney, Sturt midfielder Nick Sadler and West Adelaide pair Harry Barnett and Kobe Ryan also earned a taste of Hostplus SANFL League football in 2022.

Exciting 17-year-old Eagles forward Patrick Weckert, eligible for the 2023 AFL Draft, snuck in for his first League game in the last minor round match of the season.

Redlegs utility Mitch Carroll was undoubtedly the fairytale story among this year’s AAMI Rookies, kickng a goal in the club’s dramatic Hostplus SANFL League premiership in just his fifth game at senior level.

All AAMI Rookies to make their League debut this year earned $500 for their original Community Football Club as well as a framed picture of them to hang in the clubrooms.

ROUND 1
Hugh Jackson (Port) – Crystal Brook FC
Isaac Birt (South) – Strathalbyn FC
Reese Slape (South) – Goodwood Saints FC
Lachlan Hayes (South) – Cove FC
Luca Whitelum (Central) – Tanunda FC
Jordan Tippins (Central) – South Gawler FC
Adam Deakin (Central) – Salisbury North FC
Riley Holder (Glenelg) – Plympton FC
Nick Leck (Glenelg) – Westminster OC
Hugh Stagg (Glenelg) – PHOS Camden FC
Ben Jarvis (Norwood) – Lincoln South FC
Lochie Charlton (Norwood) – Marble Range FC
Harrison Elbrow (North) – Willaston FC
Nic Couroupis (West) – Henley FC
Kaiden Brand (West) – Berri FC
Nick Sadler (Sturt) – Unley FC
Amos Doyle (Sturt) – Mount Barker FC
Malachy Carruthers (Sturt) – Payneham Norwood Union FC

ROUND 2
Zac Phillips (Eagles) – Kadina FC
Zac Buck (Eagles) – Port District FC
Lachlan Hoile (Eagles) – Southern Eagles FC
Mack Bowman (North) – Orroroo FC
James Langley (North) – Gaza FC
Jordan Moore (Glenelg) – PHOS Camden FC

ROUND 3
Tyson Richard (Central) – Elizabeth FC
Ethan Gant (Central) – Barossa District FC
Jordan Lukac (Eagles) – Henley FC
Max Marslen (West) – Scotch OC
Mac Nield (Port) – PHOS Camden FC

ROUND 4
Tate Lovering (South) Kingscote FC
Jordan Dorizzi (Central) Port District FC
Daniel Schoell (Sturt) Onkaparinga Valley FC
Zac Becker (Sturt) Goodwood Saints FC
Tom Rundle (West) Mitcham FC
Charlie Allan (West) Unley FC

ROUND 5
Will Pearce (Eagles) – Paskeville FC

ROUND 6
Kobe Ryan (West) – Plympton FC
Michael Laudato (West) – Seaton FC
Josh Smithson (Adelaide) – Karoonda FC
Aryan Sareen (Port) – Goodwood Saints FC
Tom Emmett (Sturt) – Payneham FC

ROUND 7
Michael Cavallaro (Norwood) – Golden Grove FC
Jack Carpenter (Central) – Barossa District FC
Daniel Sladojevic (South) – Blackwood FC

ROUND 8
Nil

ROUND 9
Jarrad Parish (Glenelg) – Brighton FC
Max Michalanney (Norwood) – Glenunga FC
Heath Wingard (Sturt) – Brighton FC
Nathan Studham (Eagles) – Hummocks-Watchman FC
Dylan Brown (South) – Happy Valley FC

ROUND 10
Isaiah Dudley (Central) – Salisbury North FC
Kye Roberts (Port) – Mitcham FC

ROUND 11
Lewis Cowham (Central) – Tanunda FC

ROUND 12
Aidan Turner (Port) – Moonta FC

ROUND 13
Nil

ROUND 14
Connor McLeod (Eagles) – Flinders Park FC
Harry Barnett (West) – Goodwood Saints FC
Liam Nye (South) – Willunga FC
Harper Montgomery (Port) – Mitcham FC

ROUND 15
Lewis Rayson (Glenelg) – Kenilworth FC
Ryan Bruce (Eagles) – Riverton Saddleworth Marrabel United  FC (RSMU)
Cade Kennedy (West) – Mitcham FC
Mitchell Carroll (Norwood) – Tea Tree Gully FC
Will Crane (Sturt) – Murray Bridge Imperials FC

ROUND 16
Tyson Brazel (North) – Prince Alfred OC/Mitcham FC
Cooper Beecken (Glenelg) – Brighton FC
Oscar Steene (West) – Goodwood Saints FC
Ben Shillabeer (South) – Lincoln South Eagles FC

ROUND 17
Nathan Barkla (Port) – Port Districts FC

ROUND 18
Harry Spacie (South) – Happy Valley FC
Charlie Duncan (South) – Happy Valley FC

ROUND 19
Patrick Weckert (Eagles) – Brinkworth Spalding Redhill FC
Cooper Patterson (West) – PHOS Camden FC
Oscar Hodge (Norwood) – Blackwood FC
Ollie Megins (South) – CBC OC FC