Checkside Chats with Mitch Marsh and Harley Barker

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia’s connection at the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships was well and truly on show as it romped to its first title since 2018. 

And two of the major players behind the Croweaters’ fifth national crown, forward Mitchell Marsh and wing Harley Barker, have spoken highly of how close the group was under coach Tony Bamford.

The latest guests on SANFL’s exclusive Checkside Chats podcast, the pair revealed their team’s motto was ”you plus me equals we” as they remained undefeated after four contests in succession.

Left-footed Marsh, the son of Crows premiership ruckman Ben Marsh, enjoyed a consistent campaign working in with fellow tall forwards Aidan Schubert and Cameron Nairn.

Barker, who injured his ACL returning for Sturt on Saturday, displayed his athleticism and eye-catching ball use on his wing whilst using his deceptive height of 187cm to his advantage.

The pair chat about who they have modelled their games on whilst also detailing their journeys to put themselves in a position to potentially have their names called by an AFL club in November.