South Australia is set to field a strong squad at the U18s National Championships this year, with several promising talents expected to make an impact as the state looks to defend its title. The Croweaters will kick off their campaign against Western Australia in just under a month, marking a key moment in the 2026 draft season.
A number of high-profile prospects are among the players selected for SA, including AFL Academy talents Ethan Herbert, Gabe Patterson, Kodah Edwards, Kale Matthews-Hampton, and Jack Gordon. However, the team will be without Dougie Cochrane, who was a potential top pick, due to injury.
One of the most exciting names in the SA squad is West Adelaide forward-midfielder Anthony Long, who is linked to the Crows through their Next Generation Academy. Long has been a standout performer for the Bloods in the SANFL Talent League, averaging 15.2 disposals and 1.5 goals per game. His athleticism and physicality make him a dual-position threat, and he has shown significant improvement in his midfield game this season after being sidelined by injuries last year.
Mitch Keating, host of the “Craft of the Draft” podcast, highlighted Long along with West Adelaide teammate Charlie Bradford and Glenelg’s Jacob McNicol as potential stars in the front-half of the team. Keating praised Long’s ability to create problems for opponents one-on-one, suggesting that he could be deployed deep forward to exploit his strengths.
“Charlie Bradford is another player with a big bag of tricks, so those two in particular could put on quite a show,” Keating said. He also noted that McNicol, who has been performing well in the SANFL Talent League, could be a fascinating prospect to watch as he transitions to the national championships.
Another standout talent from South Australia is Jack Leys, a midfielder from Woodville-West Torrens and son of former Richmond player Brian Leys. Leys has developed his outside game this year, positioning himself as a legitimate draft candidate. Jonty Ralphsmith, an analyst on “Craft of the Draft,” described Leys as “one of the best pure wingmen in this year’s draft class.”
“He’s been in stellar form for the Eagles,” Ralphsmith said. “He’s probably one of the best pure wingmen in this year’s draft class, runs patterns really well and is really disciplined. It’s been impressive to see him adjust to that wing role in 2026, because he’s naturally a midfielder. He’s absorbed the knowledge to know what to do to be really proficient in that role.”
Leys has demonstrated strong ball use and the ability to drive his legs out of contests. His work in transition and defensive 50 has been particularly impressive, and he also possesses offensive flair. For Richmond fans, Leys is a player worth watching throughout the U18s National Championships and beyond.
With such a talented group of players, South Australia is well-positioned to make a strong showing at the tournament. The state’s mix of experienced performers and emerging stars promises to provide an exciting challenge for opponents. As the competition approaches, all eyes will be on these prospects to see how they perform on the national stage.
