2024 SA U18 leadership group announced

By ZAC MILBANK

South Adelaide midfielder Sid Draper will captain South Australia’s U18 team at the 2024 AFL National Championships, which begin on May 26.

Draper, who has been sidelined this season with a shin injury, is set to make his return via the Croweaters in their trial match against a Sydney/GWS Academies side at Thebarton Oval on Sunday.

The first hit out for coach Tony Bamford’s charges, kicking off at 10am, will be screened live and exclusively by News Corporation’s KommunityTV streaming service.

It will also feature Draper’s fellow leadership group members, with Ben Camporeale (Glenelg) and Kade Herbert (Eagles) to be joint vice captains and Lucas Camporeale (Glenelg) and Phoenix Hargrave (deputy vice captains).

As many as 28 players will don the cherished red guernsey, including Crows father-son prospect Tyler Welsh, who has been playing with Adelaide’s SANFL team this season.

Panthers key forward Noah Howes will play in the Hostplus SANFL League on Saturday against the Eagles while Eagles’ Charlie West (groin) and Logan Hughes (knee), Central District’s Ryan Lane-Ellis (foot), South Adelaide’s Benny Barrett (hamstring) and Norwood’s Noah Daw (broken collarbone) are ruled out with injury.

South Australia will play four matches at the AFL U18 National Championships, starting with the Allies at Thebarton Oval on Sunday May 26.

The Croweaters’ only away match will be against Victoria Country on Sunday June 9 before hosting Western Australia at Alberton Oval on Sunday June 16 and Victoria Metro at Thebarton Oval on Sunday June 30.