2023 Hostplus West Adelaide Pocket Profile

SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Bloods heading into the 2023 Hostplus SANFL League season.

Saturday March 4
South 16.6 (102) d West 5.12 (42) at Flinders University Stadium

Saturday March 11
West v Eagles at Hisense Stadium – 12.30pm

Friday March 17
West v Sturt at Hisense Stadium – 7.30pm

West Adelaide fans can expect to have their eye caught by Gold Coast Suns signing Rhys Nicholls.

While the dashing half-back was unable to make his AFL debut in his two seasons on the Suns’ list, he will provide plenty of speed and flair for the Bloods in 2023.

“I’m looking to bring my energy on and off the field, along with my run-and-carry, taking the game on,” Nicholls told West’s website upon inking his contract.

“I like to model my game on (Collingwood’s) Brayden Maynard because he’s hard at the contest, runs and carries and is also a left footer.”

Measuring in at 188cm and 79kg, the 20-year-old presents as a challenging match-up for opposition coaches as he looks to impress for another AFL opportunity.

Originally from QAFL club Labrador, the Queenslander could also be used further up the field on a wing or through the midfield by coach Adam Hartlett.

Instead of drowning in disappointment, Kobe Ryan has attacked the Bloods’ season with an extremely positive attitude.

After being overlooked in the AFL National and Rookie Drafts, the hard-running midfielder has been once of the pace-setters on the training track during summer, causing his coach Adam Hartlett to sit up and take notice.

”There was obviously some disappointment not getting an (AFL) opportunity,” Hartlett said of Ryan.

”Every match sim, every training session, he’s vocal and works really, really hard.

”And he’s just so smart in being able to bob up in the right spots at the right time so we’re looking forward to having him for however long that might be.”

Measuring in at 183cm and 73kg, the 19-year-old played at U18, Reserves and League level last year, tallying four appearances in the Hostplus League.

With the likes of Hamish Hartlett, Patrick Fairlie and Jackson Edwards departing the Bloods’ midfield rotation, expect Ryan to be given every chance to shine in the centre square.

Torrens University SA U18 coach Tony Bamford profiles the Bloods’ players in 2023

Will Patton
Will finished Year 12 at Sacred Heart College last year and is now in West’s senior program on a full-time basis.

He is also in the AFL National Academy alongside 29 other players from across Australia.

Will is your classic modern-day intercept defender who is able to play on smalls and tall forwards as a defender.

He is able to win the ball in the air and also at ground level while using his composure to make good decisions coming out of defence.

Will spent some time training with AFL club Port Adelaide in the preseason as part of this year’s AFL National Academy program.

Will was in the State U18 Academy last year as an U17 player and managed to play two AFL U18 National Championship games.

He displays maturity and leadership beyond his age and will be an integral part of our State U18 team this year.

Jack Oates
Jack has had a different pathway to other talented players his age.

He is what we call a “baby” when it comes to SANFL pathway games played, having played only eight pathway games to this stage of his development.

Jack is originally from Loxton and has been boarding at Sacred Heart College since the start of 2022.

He is a developing tall who has shown an ability to play both as a key defender and key forward.

We are excited to see how he plays in the early rounds for West Adelaide.

Max Downs
Max is currently in a rehabilitation phase of his development, managing a hip/groin injury.

This has required him to stop all footy training to rest his injury.

Therefore, it is anticipated he will have a slower start to his season. He is completing Year 12 at Sacred Heart College and will be mixing college footy with West’s U18 program.

When Max is fully fit and moving freely, he is a dangerous, medium half-forward who can also play through the midfield.