SANFL Congratulates AFL Draftees

SANFL and the SA Football Commission congratulate the 16 young South Australian players selected in the 2022 AFL Draft and Rookie Draft.

Woodville-West Torrens’ Mattaes Phillipou (St Kilda – Pick No.10) and Norwood’s Max Michalanney (Adelaide Pick No.17) were chosen in the opening round on Monday night, before a further nine SANFL players were selected in remaining rounds on Tuesday evening.

In addition, five players also will have the opportunity at the elite level after having their names called in the AFL Rookie Draft on Wednesday.

SANFL Head of Talent Brenton Phillips said having such a significant number of SA players find their way onto AFL lists across the Draft was evidence of SANFL’s continual growth and development of talent identification and elite pathways in SA.

“The Hostplus SANFL League and U18 Torrens University Cup competitions are providing a genuine pathway for players to achieve their dream of getting onto an AFL list,’’ Phillips said.

‘’This underpins the strength of our League and the pool of both local and interstate talent wanting to play football at the highest level in SA.

“Our State League competition is highly valued by AFL Clubs and recruiters and those who aspire to get to that level.

“Furthermore, we’re extremely proud of our reputation of developing many elite young footballers and the high standards we’re setting in our elite talent development programs.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the efforts of each of our SANFL Clubs, the volunteers and the families of these players in assisting with their development and helping them to realise their dream of playing football at a professional level.

“And for those talented young players who missed out on selection, they still have the opportunity to play in best State League competition in Australia and continue to push for future AFL opportunities.”

2022 NAB AFL Draft
SANFL Selections
10 – Mattaes Phillipou (Woodville-West Torrens) to St Kilda
17 – Max Michalanney (Norwood) to Adelaide (Father-Son selection)
23 – Harry Barnett (West Adelaide) to West Coast
28 – Jakob Ryan (Glenelg) to Collingwood
41 – Tom Emmett (Sturt) to Fremantle
43 – Billy Dowling (North Adelaide) to Adelaide
44 – Isaac Keeler (North Adelaide) to St Kilda
47 – Harry Lemmey (West Adelaide) to Carlton
52 – Phoenix Foster (Norwood) to Geelong
53 – Tom Scully (West Adelaide) to Port Adelaide
59 – Kyle Marshall (South Adelaide) to Port Adelaide

2022 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
SANFL Selections
4 – Rhett Montgomerie (Central District) to Essendon
14 – Will Verrall (South Adelaide) to Melbourne
31 – Jaiden Magor (South Adelaide) to Sydney
Category B Rookie – Nathan Barkla (Woodville West Torrens) to Port Adelaide
Category B Rookie – Anthony Munkara (West Adelaide) to Essendon