Schubert set to spring into AFL Combine

30 September 2025

By PETER ARGENT

Central District’s Aidan Schubert is primed for his appearance at this weekend’s AFL National Combine. 

Now entrenched in the ‘first goal, first kick club’ after his long bomb in the Hostplus SANFL League Elimination Final in late August, the Gawler Central junior certainly made an impact on debut for Central District’s League side.

A member of the 2025 South Australian Under 18s side, which became National Champions for the first time since 2018, Schubert impressed as a forward-ruck, being among seven Croweaters who won All-Australian honours.

Also, an elite junior basketballer, Schubert has competed for SA Country Under 16s in the Basketball National Championships and for two years in the Under 18s in Forward/Power Forward roles.

The 198cm big-man had to make the call between a career playing his other passion of hoops, or to travel down the football pathway.

“The 2025 season was my third year in the Central District junior program,” Schubert told SANFL.com.au.

“I was a member of the 2023 Under 16s premiership against Sturt, when Dyson (Sharp) and Matt (LeRay) were co-captains.

“I also played in last year’s heartbreaking Under 18s Grand Final loss to the Eagles as well.”

After his impressive performances at the U18 AFL National Championships this year, Schubert fronted senior coach Paul Thomas about getting a chance at league level in 2025.

“It was about six weeks ago I asked Paul about opportunities to get a League game,” Schubert mused.

“He gave me a couple of areas to work on, and to be fair, it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear.

“A group of us were pushed up to the reserves in the week the underage sides had their bye.

“Paul phoned me on the Wednesday before the game and told me he’s seen improvement, along with mentioning I’d been selected.

“He presented me with my No.45 jumper at the Captain’s run on the Saturday before the Elimination Final.

“The two things I noted (about my first league game) were the bigger bodies and a bit more structure at league level.

“I still thought I could have done more on reflection.

“(I) would have loved to have a win to have another opportunity at league level.

“That would mean I would have also grabbed bragging rights over Dad.

“I’ve just got Dad by an inch or so, height-wise already.”

Aidan’s father Nathan Schubert donned a SANFL jumper with West Adelaide and Central District, playing upwards of a 100-reserves games across the two clubs, along with a single league game in 1998 with the Bulldogs.

He then went to the Long Plains Tigers in the Adelaide Plains Football League, enjoying a premiership and the 2002 Mail Medal in the same year.

Aidan has got two younger talented siblings as well.

The middle son, 15-year-old Harrison, is also a dual sporting talent.

He played for the SA Under 16s Country basketball team at the National Championships this year and in the Gawler Central Tigers Junior Colts (Under 15s), coached by his dad.

The youngest of the trio, 12-year-old Jackson has just won Under 13s Alan Norton Medal at the Barossa, Light and Gawler best and fairest count event on Monday, September 8.

Jackson was also the Shannon Hurn Medallist as the most consistent player across the five grades of BLG football.

He received umpires votes in 15 of the 16 games he played in during the BLG Under 13s minor round competition.

After his stellar draft year, Aidan Schubert has spoken to most clubs, and is among four Central District players, along with fellow BLG lads Dyson Sharp and Cameron Nairn, and another dual sporting talent Matt LeRay who are off to the AFL National Combine in Melbourne this weekend.

The Central District quartet will also be joined by 10 other South Australia Boys Under 18 players at the AFL National Combine, with seven of South Australia Girls Under 18 players heading to the AFLW National Combine from tomorrow.