An Adelaide NGA talent and a Richmond father-son prospect are among the names tipped to feature for South Australia at this year's U18s National Championships as the Croweaters look to defend their title.
SA will feature in this year's carnival opener against Western Australia in less than a month, with the state to carry a strong squad into the peak period of the 2026 draft campaign.
AFL Academy prospects Ethan Herbert, Gabe Patterson, Kodah Edwards, Kale Matthews-Hampton and Jack Gordon are among the headline acts out of South Australia, who will be without potential Pick 1 selection Dougie Cochrane through injury.
Among the most exciting prospects for the state is West Adelaide forward-midfielder Anthony Long, who is tied to the Crows via their Next Generation Academy.
Long has been among the Bloods' best players to start the SANFL Talent League, averaging 15.2 disposals and 1.5 goals per game as an athletic and physical dual-position threat.
Previewing SA's squad on this week's episode of Craft of the Draft, host Mitch Keating flagged Long, along with West Adelaide teammate Charlie Bradford and in-form Glenelg livewire Jacob McNicol, as names who could catch the eye at this year's U18s National Championships as front-half threats.
"Anthony Long has added a bit to his midfield (game) this year. Was quite injury-hit last year, so we didn't get the same look as we have this year," Keating said.
"He's noted as an absolute nightmare one-on-one. So [SA] could play him deep forward and let him work on those traits as that threat, and that kind of player we're going to see across a lot of the national champs; that medium-sized, isolated and tricky forward to come up against.
"Charlie Bradford, as well, is one with a big bag of tricks, so those two in particular could put on quite a show.
"Jacob McNicol is going to be one of the more fascinating ones to see how he takes the step from the SANFL Talent League to the national champs, assuming he's going to get a good run through midfield, half-forward and maybe as that deep forward option as well.
"Those three I'm really keen to see get some minutes."
Also among the more impressive prospects out of SA this year is Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Jack Leys, the son of ex-Richmond player Brian Leys.
Jack has developed his outside game this year to press his case as a genuine draft chance, with Craft of the Draft analyst Jonty Ralphsmith noting Leys to potentially be "one of the best pure wingmen in this year's draft class".
"(He's) been in stellar form for the Eagles," Ralphsmith said of the Tigers-tied talent.
"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.
"He's got strong ball use and has got the ability to drive his legs out of the contest, he can be quite tenacious. His work in transition and to get back deep in defensive 50 has been really, really impressive, and then he can go forward and has that offensive flair to his game.
"He's one for Richmond fans who's worth tracking throughout this year's U18s National Championships and beyond."
