As a part of the SANFL’s annual Under-15s Intra-state championships, which were held from Tuesday, July 18 to Thursday, July 20, four aspiring young footballers from the Silver City showed their prowess.
The trio of Ryder Wilson, Hayden Whitfield and Rhys Pitt from North Broken Hills Bulldogs and Will Stephens from South Roos all furthered their football credentials across the week.
They played three games for the North Adelaide Under-15s Country side, firstly against a potent Central District team at the Ponderosa (Elizabeth Oval) – who would go through their division of the competition undefeated for the week – where they went down 9.8 (62) to 1.2 (8) on Tuesday morning.
Both Wilson and Whitfield were strong contributors in the big win against Sturt on Wednesday in the first match of the day at Prospect Oval.
The Roosters dominated this game, being six goals up at half time and going on to defeat the Double Blues, continuing to be relentless after the main break and winning by a large margin, 13.12 (90) to 0.1 (1).
On Thursday the team travelled down to Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg and took on a Glenelg country team, which includes the entire south east of the state to select from.
While they were competitive at times, the Tigers proved to be too strong, with the Bays winning 6.10 (46) to North 3.3 (21) getting up by 25 points.
Diminutive small forward Rhys Pitt displayed his craft as a small forward kicking a goal in this game.
“All four of the Broken Hill lads had good weeks, with Ryder and Hayden each featuring in the best players lists in the big win against Sturt, and Rhys hitting the scoreboard against Glenelg,” Neil Sanders, the Talent Manager at the North Adelaide Football Club said.
“Ryder played roles as a key forward and key back, with Will being used in a variety of positions in each third of the ground, up forward, in the back lines and on-ball.
“Both Hayden and Rhys were mainly used as small forwards. Will and Hayden were the only two underage players in the side and are eligible to play again next year.
“Broken Hill have been involved in our Country Under 15 Carnival across five years now, and the North Adelaide Football Club will continue to give these lads the opportunity to play at a higher level.
“This Carnival will move from Jamestown to Orroroo next year.”
The SANFL under-15s intra-state championships also serves as a competition that clubs and the SA Talent program select players from, for the Under-16s SANFL sides and the SA state team for the National Under-16s championships.
