South Aussie Select

Matt LeRay knew something had to give.

At the height of his sporting juggle 12 months ago, he was training with as many as six different sporting teams at the same time - in both the cricket and footy realm.

So after captaining South Australia at the U19 Cricket National Championships, LeRay decided to direct his sole focus toward reaching his dream of playing in the AFL.

Suddenly, after an encouraging year with Central District and as an All-Australian at the AFL U18 National Championships, the 188cm wingman is within touching distance of hearing his name called next week.

The 18-year-old Crows fan models his game on Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson and Hawthorn's South Aussie star Will Day as a tall midfielder, while also showing he can also play as an intercept defender in the back half of this year's SANFL U18 season with the Bulldogs.

A keen golfer, LeRay speaks openly on the South Aussie Select podcast about his love for his junior club Golden Grove, where it all began with the guidance of his parents, Darren and Coralie.

Completing Year 12 in 2024, LeRay has now finalised the first year of his primary school teaching degree. It will be another platform for him to display his leadership qualities, as he has done while captaining his State in cricket and Central's U18 team in 2025.

Sam Cumming certainly wasn't satisfied.

North Adelaide's tough teenager displayed plenty of promise in his Hostplus SANFL League debut against premier Sturt, collecting 16 disposals and looking at home playing against men.

But that was just a taste of what was to come seven days later when he tore apart South Adelaide in his second senior match, finishing with 21 disposals, five marks, five tackles, five clearances and three goals to well and truly place himself on the AFL Draft radar.

Measuring in at a deceptive 186cm, Cumming not only hit the scoreboard in impressive fashion against the Panthers in Port Pirie but also showcased his field-kicking skills.

Modelling his game on Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney, the 18-year-old told the South Aussie Select podcast that playing against men from the age of 14 whilst representing Wentworth in the highly-competitive Sunraysia Football League based in Mildura.

Cumming was extremely motivated to move to boarding school soon after, making the decision to join Prince Alfred College and SANFL's Roosters to realise his AFL dream.

One of just 12 players to already receive an invite to attend the AFL Draft night in Melbourne, Cumming has been tipped for selection towards the back end of the top 10.

A true leader, contested football beast and an ultra-reliable teammate.

We all know Central District's Dyson Sharp is all of those things but that didn't prevent him from working hard on other aspects of his game in 2025.

Making his Hostplus SANFL League in 2024 at age 17, Sharp was determined to focus on hitting the scoreboard and improving his outside run this season.

And if the U18 National Championships is anything to go by, he certainly achieved this as he led South Australia to an impressive undefeated campaign.

The Croweaters captain added the Larke Medal to his bulging trophy cabinet as he was also named All-Australian.

Already adept as finding the right balance between having fun and enforcing high standards with his teammates, the now 18-year-old talks about his impressive natural ability with public speaking.

In the latest episode of South Aussie Select, he also reflects fondly on his Barossa District upbringing, watching his father Darren play in premierships while proudly acting as the team mascot.

Brisbane is the only AFL club Sharp hasn't spoken to in the lead up to the AFL Draft, with the Essendon fan prepared to play anywhere in Australia to further his footballing dream.

Filling the stats sheet has become commonplace for Central District tall forward Aidan Schubert.

The basketball convert is adept at racking up the numbers in multiple categories as he contributes strongly to his team's cause in versatile fashion.

Measuring in at 198cm, the first guest on the South Aussie Select podcast has registered high numbers in disposals, marks, clearances and goals whilst also learning the craft of relieving in the ruck.

Modelling his game on Geelong giant Shannon Neale, the Gawler Central product joined star Port Adelaide forward Jack Lukosius in making his Hostplus SANFL League debut in the major round when he lined up in the Elimination Final.

It came after responding to some constructive criticism from Bulldogs coach Paul Thomas, who rewarded Schubert with his opportunity in the cut-throat decider against the Redlegs.

Coming off a strong U18 National Championships campaign which yielded an All-Australian guernsey, Schubert is hopeful of hearing his name called in the first round on November 19, potentially inside the top 10.

Now finished his Year 12 study at Trinity College, Schubert also chats about the fierce games of backyard cricket with his younger brothers Harrison and Jackson, who are also budding sports stars.

Central District's Charlotte Riggs is itching to throw everything she has into an AFLW opportunity should it arise next Monday night.

The outgoing 18-year-old is bursting full of energy, such is the manner in which she attacks everything in life, including he schooling, playing base guitar and of course, her football.

Speaking on the South Aussie Select podcast, the Bulldogs premiership utility said she would be willing to develop into multiple roles given she has shown promise as a back-up ruck, in attack for the SA U18s and as defender at Elizabeth.

Confirming both Adelaide and Port Adelaide have her on their selection radar, Riggs is mobile for her height of 182cm while embracing the development she has received at Central from coach Ben ''Rexy'' Hunt and senior teammates.

Graduating from Year 12, Riggs revealed that studying psychology is among her considerations while she continues to play in her family's music band and displaying great leadership with her unique team-bonding activities.

South Adelaide's Esther Schirmer is ready to embrace a move interstate should she have her name called at the 2024 AFLW Draft next Monday.

The Panthers' premiership defender is well aware she could be headed across the South Australian border in the first ''open pool'' AFLW Draft, particularly considering she hasn't been interviewed by local clubs Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

Speaking on the South Aussie Select podcast, the 18-year-old revealed she feels she could also play through the midfield as she did upon making her SANFLW debut at Noarlunga in 2022.

An accomplished intercept defender, Schirmer said she has benefited significantly from playing senior football against women whilst being named full back in the SANFLW Team of the Year for the past two seasons.

The Year 12 graduate also reveals her favourite hiking spot while also detailing how she ended up winning a Muai Tuay martial arts fight.

Now is the time to get the South Australian late mail with less than 48 hours remaining until the 2024 AFL Draft.

Tune into the latest edition of South Aussie Select to hear from The Advertiser's Andrew Capel, who provides excellent insight into this year's Croweater crop.

Will South Adelaide's Sid Draper still be available for Adelaide at pick No.4? And what does he make of late speculation which could see Draper slide to St Kilda at pick No.8?

Who are the famous surnames set to get an AFL opportunity under the father-son rule?

Plenty of late buzz around Norwood's Ned Bowman and Sturt's Jacob Molier is also discussed as well as whether Magarey Medallist Harry Boyd might finally get his AFL chance with the Saints.

The towering tall from Tarlee is preparing to have his name called in the 2024 AFL Draft.

Central District's Charlie Nicholls has spoken to at least 15 AFL clubs after impressing with his versatile 197cm frame for the Bulldogs and SA's U18 team this year.

One of his team's top performers in the SANFL U18 Grand Final, Nicholls had an impact in all three sectors on the field while yielding 15 disposals, eight marks (three contested), 10 hit outs and two goals.

It was an effort which made AFL scouts sit up and take notice as he proved he can play a role as a ''stand and compete'' forward as well as roaming freely further up the ground.

Modelling his game on Geelong premiership forward Jeremy Cameron, Nicholls has displayed great leadership in 2024 as Bulldogs skipper and amongst his fellow SA U18 peers while car-pooling from the north of the State.

At home, he loves to help with sheep mustering on the family farm while attempting to get back to watch his beloved Mintaro Manoora Football Club play in the North Eastern Football League.

There is little doubt Sid Draper will be the first South Australian selected in the 2024 AFL Draft.

But has the South Adelaide midfielder prepared himself for the possibility he could still be the No.1 pick next Wednesday night?

In such an even draft pool, Draper - the latest guest on South Aussie Select - is tipped to land in the top five but hasn't been ruled out of contention as the first name called.

Regardless, the level-headed SA U18 captain knows it is just a number once he enters the AFL system, where he is determined to make an impact from Round 1 of 2025.

Draper revealed his agility and ability to negotiate his way through traffic to burst out of the stoppage was in large part due to his time playing tag rugby before he picked up a footy for the first time at age 12.

He was then inspired by his older brothers Manny and Arlo, determined to prove to his siblings that he could improve his skills after initially beginning his career in the back pocket at Willunga.

Confirming he is a loyal Crows fan, Draper idolised Adelaide fan favourite Rory Sloane and has taken aspects from his style, as well as that of Power star Zak Butters, and injected them into his own game.

The landscape is changing for the 2024 AFLW Draft as players prepare to be selected from any team or state for the first time.

On the latest edition of South Aussie Select, SANFL Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill details what it all means as the AFLW Draft becomes a truly national selection pool.

Neill also provides an in-depth analysis on this year's South Australian prospects, headlined by Sturt's India Rasheed, South Adelaide's Esther Schirmer and Central District's Charlotte Riggs.

Neill also provides an insight into his AFL experiences throughout the 1990s, when he lined up with Sydney and St Kilda alongside big names such as Swans livewire Warrick Capper.