Adelaide has confirmed the first five SANFL players to join the new Crows development squad.
The Crows have also added more country-based and Amateur League players to the list, to be used to “top-up” Adelaide’s SANFL side next season.
The first SANFL players nominated are:
Sam De Leonardis (North Adelaide): A 19-year-old 182cm forward and former State U16 rep who has played through North Adelaide’s junior system. Started the 2013 season in North’s U18s but was then promoted to the reserves.
Jye De Zylva (West Adelaide): 18, captained West Adelaide Under-18s team this year and played some reserves. 184cm defender.
Sam Tharaldsen (South Adelaide): 19, 187cm medium defender, played some reserves this year.
Darc Bailey (Glenelg): 19, played a league game this year after crossing from Victoria. Small forward or midfielder, son of Crows assistant coach Dean Bailey.
Jack Penfold (Sturt): 19, a 173cm rover, who was Sturt’s U18 captain in 2012 and played reserves this year.
Adelaide has added another four country players to the list of five revealed on the weekend. They are:
Tom Carroll (Myponga): 24, SA Country regular who played some league football with South Adelaide.
Gene Robinson (Mypolonga): 20, kicked 115 goals from 18 games in the River Murray League this season. Small forward.
Nigel Osborn (CMS Crows): 22, runner-up Yorke Peninsula Mail Medal 2013, State Country player 2013, works with Adelaide Crows in junior development.
Tom Hughes (Mt Barker): Hills Mail Medallist 2013.
Five Amateur players will also join the initial development squad: Addison Burns (Goodwood Saints, 20), Steven Clay (Port Districts, 25), Trent Melville (Tea Tree Gully/North Adelaide, 21), Jack Grieger (Adelaide Uni, 20) and Will Paynter (Adelaide Uni, 21).
The Crows late last week announced the recruiting of country players Tyson Davis Neale (Encounter Bay), Matthew Thompson (Murray Bridge Ramblers), Tom Kluvanek (Uraidla Districts), Simon Muster (Birdwood) and Matt Wilson (Yankalilla).
Adelaide’s State League team coach Heath Younie will welcome the first group to training tomorrow evening from about 6pm on Max Basheer Reserve.
Younie said the players were excited to be offered the opportunity to train under Crows development coaches as a group.
“They come from a wide range of backgrounds and experience but the common factor is that they all want to be involved,” he said.
“We will work with them closely to develop and improve their footy. They are excited but so is the Club, we are really looking forward to getting them on the track.”
Younie said there would be some additions to the development group: “There has been a lot of interest from all over the State and we are still discussing some options with SANFL clubs.”
