PIC – Tarlee’s Charlie Nicholls will head to the Fremantle Dockers (photo by Fremantle Dockers)
Abbie Tiller
Six country lads heading to AFL clubs in the 2024 draft
After racking up thousands of kilometres travelling country roads to play football at an elite level, six young South Aussie lads are living their dreams after being selected in the 2024 AFL draft.
It wasn’t long ago that these young men were jumping out of their skin at being presented with their very first Auskick packs, and now they’ve proven how passion, dedication and hard work pays off, combined of course with equally as driven and supportive families.
For the Nicholls family from Tarlee, there’ll be some frequent flyer points racked up to the West, with 18-year-old Charlie bound for the Fremantle Dockers.
But they’re no strangers to going the extra mile for footy. Charlie, a towering 197 centimetre forward, has juggled school and footy, heading off from the family farm at 7.30am to travel to Faith Lutheran College in Tanunda, and then to Thebarton for training – often returning to the farm after 9pm to have tea, wash his uniform, pack his bag ready to do it all again.
Mum and Dad, Jake and Annie, have tried not to add up the cost of travel over the years, but say it was a huge help when Charlie got his licence, despite then worrying about him travelling long distances and being tired.
Draft night was a nervous wait for the whole family, with Charlie having had over 15 interviews with AFL clubs following a stand-out MVP performance at the Under 18 National Championships. Ten of the meetings involved recruiters travelling to the Tarlee farm, but the hard work and wait were worth it when the Fremantle Dockers arrived to present him with his Guernsey.
“We will forever be grateful for the support he has received from coaches, mentors and friends along the way,” Mum, Annie said.
Charlie was originally scouted by state coaches when he represented Mid North in the school SAPSASA carnival. This year he captained the Central District’s Under 18’s to a spot in the Grand Final, with the team narrowly losing to the Eagles by four points.
PIC – SANFL
Country SA – a breeding ground for AFL footballers
South Aussie football historian, and author of South Australian Country Football Digest, Peter Lines, said “having lads from six country SA teams drafted this year is an indication that AFL money needs to be spent in the country areas.”
“It is a proven breeding ground for AFL footballers,” he said. History indicates this by past country draftees – Jordan Dawson (Robe), Conner Rozee (South Augusta), Lachie Neale (Kybybolite) and Corey Enright (Kimba). And long before the present day – Mark Riccuito (Waikerie), Brendon Lade (Wisanger), Shaun Burgoyne (Mallee Park) and Richard Champion (Kadina).
By being drafted these six lads show every young country based boy that it is possible to realise your dream and become and AFL footballer – indicating to them that there is an actual pathway to follow, even for someone who lives over 800 kilometres from Adelaide.”
From the Nullarbor Plain, 850 kilometres north-west of Adelaide, Jay Polkinghorne, overcame a knee injury to play a handful of under 18 games for Norwood last season. Eighteen-year-old Polkinghorne, who spent the pre season in the SA State Program, was recruited by Geelong at pick number 44.
PIC – Cats Media
Towering 201 centimetre ruckman, Jacob Molier from Onkaparinga Valley joins Polkinghorne at Geelong, as draft pick number 52.
Pic – Cats Media
After shining in both the under 18 National Championships this year and as a key player for Glenelg’s Under 18 side, Mount Gambier’s Angus Clarke, will be glad to see the back of the four hour drives from the Mount to Adelaide, as he makes his new home at Essendon.
Pic – Rookie Me Central
Orroroo’s Ned Bowman threw himself into the spotlight with a huge speccie for the Redlegs under 18’s that put him in contention for mark of the year last season. He was the club’s leading goal kicker and amongst the best players for SA in the National Championships. Bowman goes into the AFL as pick number 26 for Sydney.
PIC – Norwood Football Club
Sid Draper, who hails from Willunga, was a handy pick-up for the Crows. Draper captained South Adelaide’s Under 18 team to a premiership in 2023 and was named MVP of the State Under 18’s side, as well as making the all Australian side. The number 4 draft pick will wear number 34 for the Crows.
