SANFL U18 and U16 stars set to shine in 2024

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia’s brightest young football talent will be unleashed this weekend when the SANFL U18 and U16 competitions kick off in 2024.

The spotlight will shine squarely on SANFL’s elite pathways as they get a head-start on the Hostplus SANFL League and Reserves competitions which begin on the Easter weekend.

Maximising availability for all players is a key focus in the SANFL U18 and U16 fixtures for season 2024, with Round 3 of the U18s to be featured during Gather Round as the AFL’s attention hones in on Adelaide from April 4 to 7.

“We’re set for another exciting season in the SANFL U18s and U16s, with the U18s having the opportunity to play during the AFL’s Gather Round a real highlight,” SANFL Head of Talent Brenton Phillips said.

“The depth of talent across all eight SANFL Clubs is also testament to the experienced and passionate Centre of Excellence coaches and staff at clubs who help ensure our talent pathway is one of the best in Australia.”

Now entering the third season of successfully introducing bye rounds for the U18 AFL National Championships and Inter Col weekend, midweek matches will again be another measure to ensure the state’s best footballers are showcased as often as possible in the SANFL U18s and U16s.

Introduced for the first time in 2023, a full round of mid-week evening matches will again form an innovative feature of the SANFL U18 and U16 fixtures.

Round 9 games in the SANFL U18s and Round 8 U16 matches will be played across Tuesday May 21 and Wednesday May 22.

And in a first for the competitions, the first regional games will be played this weekend in Round One, with North Adelaide hosting Norwood in its regional zone at Memorial Oval, Port Pirie.

The SANFL U18 and U16s competitions will conclude with a double-header Grand Final at Adelaide Oval as curtain-raisers to the Hostplus SANFL League Preliminary Final on Sunday September 15.

All SANFL U18 and U16 matches will be streamed live and on demand via SANFL Now in 2024.