Zane Rooney selected as AAMI SA U16 captain

By ZAC MILBANK

Glenelg utility Zane Rooney will captain the AAMI SA U16 team for its 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships campaign which begins on June 27.

Rooney, a member of last year’s SA U16 squad, will head a three-player leadership group under the guidance of AAMI SA U16 coach Heath Younie.

Gaining experience by playing in last year’s AFL U16 National Championships, Rooney has started the season strongly for the Tigers, averaging 32 disposals, eight marks and seven clearances.

”Zane’s leadership has developed over the last couple of years where he is a consistent performer on the field, however, he also communicates effectively and goes out of his way to help others within a game,” AAMI SA U16 coach Heath Younie said.

”Zane can play in all areas of the ground where he demonstrates a strong ability to win the ball both in the air and on the ground. He is competitive, works hard in all phases and plays the game in the right spirit.”

The Croweaters will have two vice-captains supporting Rooney, Sturt’s Jacob Westley and West Adelaide’s Samuel DePalma.

”Jacob leads by example both on and off the field, his performance is consistently at a high level both on game day and at training,” Younie said of the Double Blues’ U16 co-captain.

”He’s a tough inside midfielder who can win the ball both inside and outside the contest. Jacob’s a very good decision maker and has excellent skill fundamentals.”

DePalma, who is also an inside midfielder, is the Bloods’ U16 co-captain in 2026.

”Samuel leads by example both in games and training where he works extremely hard whilst showing great respect to his peers, support staff and the game,” Younie said.

”Sam is an inside mid who can play forward. He’s been a consistent performer in the U16 competition for West, where he has demonstrated the ability to win the ball and use his power and speed to get out of congestion.”

South Australia will begin its campaign at home, hosting Western Australia on Saturday June 27 at Alberton before heading to Queensland for clashes against Victoria Country on Tuesday July 14 and Victoria Metro on Friday July 17.