Adelaide has recruited five country-based footballers as the first development  players for its new SANFL team.  

Tyson Davis-Neale (Encounter Bay), Simon Muster (Birdwood), Matthew Thompson (Murray Bridge Ramblers), Matthew Wilson (Yankalilla) and Tom Kluvanek (Uraidla Districts) will train with Adelaide’s SANFL group under coach Heath Younie, starting next Wednesday.

They will play country football if not required by the Crows during the 2014 season. 

Davis-Neale, a 185cm utility, and running half-back Thompson were both prominent junior footballers who were members of the AIS/AFL Academy in 2008. Current Crows Tom Lynch and Lewis Johnston were in the same Academy group.

Former South Adelaide junior Davis-Neale played in a premiership with Encounter Bay this year, alongside former Crows Scott Welsh and Ian Perrie. Thompson, who played juniors with Sturt, has been a runner-up in the Mail Medal count. 

Muster is a key position forward or defender who played juniors and some reserves football with Norwood. 

Kluvanek, a 190cm defender or wingman, played in a premiership with Uraidla Districts this year and Wilson, a quick small defender, has captained Yankalilla and represented Great Southern. 

Younie said it was an exciting time for all these players and for the Club.

“This development system provides great opportunities for some players to attempt to get back into the SANFL system and play league footy,” he said. 

“These players will get a chance to train together and push for selection at league level and for some it could just be the break they need to chase their AFL dreams.”

Crows General Manager Football Administration Phil Harper said more players would soon be confirmed.

“We have five players committed from regional areas at the moment and expect that number to be closer to ten when our squad is finalised.

“We also will have five to ten from the Amateur League clubs, who have been very supportive of the concept. Add in the SANFL players from the six participating clubs and our development squad will round out at 20-25 players.”