2025 Hostplus Pocket Profile – North Adelaide

SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Roosters heading into the 2025 Hostplus SANFL League season.

COMING
Angus Schumacher (East Perth), Oskar Faulkhead (Gold Coast Suns), Alex van Wyk (Norwood), James Willis (returned/Geelong), Kelsey Rypstra (returned/Western Bulldogs), Zavier Maher (Carlton VFL), Brodie Findlay (Sandringham Dragons), Joshua Smith (GWS VFL), Jarman Sigal (Adelaide SANFL)

GOING
Campbell Combe (retired/Crystal Brook), Sam Mayes (retired), Sam McInerney (retired/travel), Karl Finlay (Glenelg), Tariek Newchurch (Central Augusta), Matt McKenzie (West Perth), Harrison Elbrow (Willaston), Oliver Francou (Port Adelaide), Liam Hoy (Kybybolite), Jack Hodges (Norwood), Keanu Miller

Saturday March 8
West Adelaide v North Adelaide at Hisense Stadium from 2.10pm

Friday March 14
Sturt v North Adelaide at the Summit, Mount Barker from 7.50pm

Good things come to those who wait.

North Adelaide coach Jacob Surjan will certainly be hoping for this statement to ring true when imposing midfielder Angus Schumacher dons the red and white in 2025.

Surjan and Roosters Football Manager Darryl Wintle have been pursuing the 25-year-old for the best part of two years, since Schumacher earned the 2023 Simpson Medal as the WAFL’s best against the West End State team.

Measuring in at a sizeable 193cm, Schumacher’s resume is impressive considering he has represented the WAFL on three occasions and earned selection in the 2022 and 2023 WAFL Team of the Year.

Now the Naracoorte native is eager to test himself in the Hostplus SANFL League as the Roosters’ midfield begins life after five-time Barrie Robran Medallist Campbell Combe.

Alex van Wyk is itching to get started at Prospect.

For the past two years, the 202cm ruckman has won Norwood’s best and fairest in the Reserves after playing as the understudy to the Redlegs’ Magarey and Jack Oatey Medallist, Harry Boyd.

Now the 20-year-old starts with a clean slate at North Adelaide as he seeks to establish himself as the No.1 under new coach Jacob Surjan.

Yet to make his Hostplus SANFL League debut, van Wyk has represented SA at U18 level in 2023 and boasts the flexibility to have an impact around the ground as well as the stoppages.

SA U18 coach Tony Bamford profiles the Roosters’ players in 2025.

Sam Cumming
Sam has been a standout performer during the State Academy program. His ability to deliver elite training standards week-in, week-out reflects his professionalism and focus. Sam is a leader amongst his peers and can set standards for those around him. He has shown an ability to win his own footy inside while also putting effective and immediate pressure on the opposition when they win the ball when playing as a midfielder or high half-forward. Sam has been working on stoppage and at ground level, his body craft, as well as improving his fundamental skills. Sam was one of our U17 players in the 2024 State Squad and has used that experience to his advantage in his preparation for season 2025.

Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier
Blake (or Bob as we call him) is a very experienced talent pathway player with this being his fourth year involved at state level, so he knows what the expectations are. He was one of three players who completed the Academy program with a 100% attendance and 100% load completion record. On top of that, his training standards were of the highest level. Bob is a talented and strong ball-winning midfielder with effective leadership skills, can stand up in the physical aspects of the game and has a penetrating kick that can catch defenders off their opponents. He has been working on complementing his ball-winning ability with a more balanced approach to defensive transition and opposition accountability in the mid zone.

Ethan Herbert
Ethan is a very young athlete who also has a background in basketball. He is already 199cm tall and still growing. Ethan is the classic developing tall footballer who is still learning how to move and control his body & limbs. This will take time and patience from Ethan, but from what we have witnessed in this program, he is fully invested in his ongoing development and footy education. Ethan plays as a mobile ruckman who uses his effective ruck craft & mobility to impact the game. He also has an above average fundamental skill set that sets him apart from other young ruckmen. Ethan has been working on improving his aerial contest craft and impact.