Will won’t wait for 100 games

By ZAC MILBANK

”Don’t wait for it, go and get it.”

With those wise words Sturt’s Will Snelling has used his dad’s advice to carve out an impressive career on and off the field as he approaches his 100th Hostplus SANFL League game in Sunday’s Second Semi Final.

What the tenacious rover might lack in size he has certainly made up for in determination as he thrives on winning the Sherrin in traffic whilst also finding himself at the feet of his forwards.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 28-year-old said playing against older players from a young age had also sped up his development with his first SANFL club, West Adelaide.

Snelling played in the Bloods’ 2015 premiership after making his League debut in Round 1 that year while still attending Mercedes College as a Year 12 student.

He then spent three seasons at Alberton, for one AFL game, before landing back with Westies in 2019.

This time he only featured in seven games with the Bloods before he suddenly found himself at the AFL’s red-and-black team in Essendon after being snapped up in the Mid Season Draft.

Featuring in 65 AFL games for the Bombers, Snelling faced a tough decision when he arrived back in Adelaide for the 2024 SANFL season.

He opted to continue the next stage of his career with the Double Blues, where he has established himself as an elite midfielder in the competition.

Winning the 2024 Magarey Medal, Snelling placed third in this year’s count despite missing four matches with a knee injury.

But the pursuit of earning a premiership medal with his teammates at Unley is what’s driving him in 2025 as he’s displayed an admirable commitment this season.

Entering the first year of a medical degree, Snelling his currently studying in Renmark, where he has also been training with the local club, Rovers.

Each weekend, he makes the six-hour round trip from the Riverland to line-up with the Double Blues, where he has been a key contributor in the club’s record-breaking campaign.