Sam Cumming wins 2024 SANFL U18 MVP

By ZAC MILBANK

Prolific North Adelaide midfielder Sam Cumming has become the fourth Rooster to win the SANFL U18 MVP Award.

Displaying a penchant for hunting the Sherrin across his 10 appearances in 2024, Cumming averaged 27 disposals, six marks and four clearances while also hitting the scoreboard with 11 goals.

Cumming got his campaign off to a red-hot start, nominated for the MVP Award in Round 1 after collecting 21 disposals, laying 10 tackles and booting three goals in a win against Norwood.

Featuring for South Australia in two matches across this year’s AFL U18 National Championships, the 17-year-old joins Liam Jacka (2013), Harrison Magor (2019) and Billy Dowling (2022) as those from Prospect to be recognised.

Cumming was one of three North players to receive a SANFL U18 MVP nomination throughout the minor round, joined by fellow Rooster midfielders Oliver Francou and Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier.

Originally from the Wentworth District Football Club in New South Wales, Cumming receives a trophy and $1000 courtesy of SANFL.

Introduced in 2009, the MVP Award is presented to the best performing player in the SANFL Under-18 Competition.

One player is nominated for the Award each round throughout the home-and-away season, with the overall winner selected by a panel of judges chaired by SANFL Head of Talent Brenton Phillips at the conclusion of the minor round.

Round 1 – Sam Cumming (North Adelaide)
Round 2 – Jevan Phillipou (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 3 – Ryan Lane-Ellis (Central District)
Round 4 – Ned Atkinson (Sturt)
Round 5 – Jacob Newton (Norwood)
Round 6 – Dyson Sharp (Central District)
Round 7 – Phoenix Hargrave (South Adelaide)
Round 8 – Sam Waltham (Sturt)
Round 9 – Kobee Dabinett (Sturt)
Round 10 – Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
Round 11 – Cameron Nairn (Central District)
Round 12 – Zac Schwarz (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 13 – Thomas McKay (Glenelg)
Round 14 – Tate Delmenico (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 15 – Oliver Francou (North Adelaide)
Round 16 – Ayden Hodgson (West Adelaide)
Round 17 – Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North Adelaide)
Round 18 – Charlie West (Woodville-West Torrens)