02 Jun 2016
McDONALD’S SA U18 TEAM V ALLIES
By ZAC MILBANK | Twitter @zacmilbank
The McDonald’s SA Under-18 team is primed to begin its 2016 AFL National Championship campaign against an unpredictable Allies outfit at Football Park on Saturday.
With the Croweaters only playing four matches this year, starting off with a win against the combined side featuring the best from NSW/ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and Northern Territory will be of high importance.
Speaking on SANFL Radio, McDonald’s SA Under-18 coach Brenton Phillips said his charges would be close to full strength, with only three players missing with injury.
Norwood’s Lachlan Pascoe will miss the carnival with a broken collarbone while West Adelaide pair Lachlan Cameron and Conor Noonan face a race against time to recover from foot injuries.
Strongly-built midfielders Jack Graham (captain) and Jonty Scharenberg (vice-captain) will lead by their bold actions on the field, displaying their penchant for making a physical presence.
Redlegs ruckman Peter Ladhams – who played in last year’s Championships – will lead the ruck with support from fellow AFL Academy member Jordan Sweet.
Father-son prospect Ben Jarman is one of seven players named on the extended interchange bench which will be trimmed by at least two before the bounce.
Despite Jarman being hindered by illness of late, Phillips expects the son of Crows premiership hero Darren to display his talent throughout the tournament.
Classy Roosters goalsneak Kym Lebois is another player to keep an eye on, with his exceptional speed and defensive pressure certain to be on display for AFL recruiting scouts.
The McDonald’s SA Under-18 team will play three of its four matches at home, with the final contest against Victoria Country taking place at Etihad Stadium on Friday June 24.
GAME 1 – SA v ALLIES (Football Park) – 10.30am
F: Will Hayward, Darcy Fogarty, Tyson Stengle
HF: Kym Lebois, Callum Coleman-Jones, Corey May
C: Alex Villis, Jonty Scharenberg, Jackson Lee
HB: Mitchell Hinge, Brennan Cox, Steven Slimming
B: Andrew McPherson, Thomas Schmusch, Sam Walker
R: Peter Ladhams, Jack Grahamm, Jake Comitogianni
INT: Jordan Sweet, Ben Jarman, Dakota Nixon, Tye Bedford, Jake Pitman, Lee Minervini, Aiden Musolino
Game 2 (Sunday June 12) – SA v WA (Football Park, West Lakes) – 11.20am
Game 3 (Sunday June 19) – SA v Victoria Metro (Football Park, West Lakes) – 10.45am
Game 4 (Friday June 24) – SA v Victoria Country (Etihad Stadium, Melbourne) – 12.05pm
Last Modified on 02/06/2016 17:26