Aidan Schubert wins 2025 SANFL U18 MVP

By ZAC MILBANK

Athletic Central District forward Aidan Schubert has become the third Bulldog to win the SANFL U18 MVP Award.

Displaying an exceptional ability to make an impact in attack or pinch-hitting in the ruck, Schubert averaged 19 disposals, 7.5 marks, four clearances and three inside 50s in his 13 appearances at SANFL U18 level.

Measuring in at a towering 198cm, the basketball convert regularly hit the scoreboard with a total of 28 goals for the season, including three hauls of four majors.

Schubert – who made his Hostplus SANFL League debut in the Elimination Final – was nominated for the MVP Award in Round 2 after filling his stats sheet with 20 disposals, nine marks, five clearances and three goals in a win against Sturt.

Earning All-Australian selection after catching the eye for South Australia at this year’s AFL U18 National Championships, the 17-year-old joins Brendan Dew (2014) and Aaron Nietshcke (2018) as those from Elizabeth to be recognised.

Schubert was one of four Central players to receive a SANFL U18 MVP nomination throughout the minor round, joined by fellow Bulldogs Dougie Cochrane, Matt LeRay and Cameron Nairn.

Originally from the Gawler Central Football Club, Schubert 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 – Jack Cook (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 2 – Aidan Schubert (Central District)
Round 3 – Jett Dahlitz (Sturt)
Round 4 – Dougie Cochrane (Central District)
Round 5 – Cameron Nairn (Central District)
Round 6 – Louis Kellaway (Sturt)
Round 7 – Noah Daw (Norwood)
Round 8 – Jackson Moody (Sturt)
Round 9 – Charlie Dickeson (North Adelaide)
Round 10 – Ned McCarthy (Glenelg)
Round 11 – Jamie Russell-Swansson (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 12 – Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
Round 13 – Gabe Patterson (Glenelg)
Round 14 – Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North Adelaide)
Round 15 – Zane Peucker (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 16 – Jack Mumford (Woodville-West Torrens)
Round 17 – Matt LeRay (Central District)
Round 18 – Mitchell Marsh (West Adelaide)