A pair of South Australian AFL Draft prospects have been put 'on the radar' following some strong form to start their 2026 seasons.
This week's episode of Craft of the Draft saw Sturt's Kale Matthews-Hampton flagged as a teenager to keep an eye on after a strong outing against North Adelaide off the back of a move into midfield.
The Double Blues U18s talent collected 20 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and five clearances in a 35-point victory, with Craft of the Draft's Jonty Ralphmsith naming the Strathalbyn native for this week's 'on the radar' segment.
"I'm going to throw Kale Matthews-Hampton onto the radar this week," Ralphsmith said on this week's episode.
"He had a really strong performance on the weekend. He went into the midfield and had the 20 disposals. What was really impressive was that we know what he can do as a defender, his ability to intercept is first-class and he's got really strong dukes above his head, but he's got the ability to win the ball in the midfield and he's got that defensive nous that he plays with. He brought that into the midfield and that was really, really evident across a few different stages on the day.
"The next stage for him will be adding some really potent kicking to his game. But a really strong game to start his career as a midfielder at the talent pathways level."
Matthews-Hampton's fellow SA state squad representative Jacob McNicol has also been one of the form players of the SANFL U18s to commence 2026, averaging 27.7 disposals and 3.3 goals per game for Glenelg.
The midfield-forward threat has been a livewire asset for the undefeated Tigers, with his latest performance netting the Bailey Humphrey-like prospect 33 disposals and seven scoring shots.
"Another one out of the SANFL... Jacob McNicol is making plenty of waves with his form. I don't think he's gone under three goals or 23 touches (in a game this year). His most recent performance: 33 (disposals) and four goals," Craft of the Draft's Mitch Keating said.
"He could've had six or seven (goals). He missed one from the square, but he popped up with a couple others that were harder. So he kind of balanced it out in the end.
"What I really liked was his balance of pace, poise and power. When he goes into midfield, he knows how to find space and dodge his way through, and then when the ball is there to be won in the front-half, he's pouncing, he's powerful.
"Reminds me a bit of that Bailey Humphrey run a couple of years ago for Gippsland Power. Just with how ferocious he was in attack, and then could back it up in midfield. He's finding plenty of it and is having a massive impact on the scoreboard.
"He's one who is quickly rising over at Glenelg. They're rapt with what they're seeing from him. Some defensive accountability is what he's working on this year... if he can tick that off, he's going to be right up there by the end of the year."
You can watch Craft of the Draft on Zero Hanger's YouTube channel, or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
