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Jack Delean is the latest face of a remarkable AFL story that has emerged out of Adelaide's southern suburbs, and one which is the envy of clubs across the nation.
Key points:
- Jack Delean is part of the 2023 AFL Academy squad, which includes the code's best young players
- The Panthers have had 22 players drafted in the last nine years, including Jason Horne-Francis
- Delean says the club environment is a big factor in producing so many good players
The 75-kilogram, 17-year-old is a silkily skilled forward who is part of the 2023 AFL Academy squad, which is composed of the code's best young guns.
Most are likely to be drafted by an AFL team at season's end.
"Big year, got to put my best foot forward and yeah, try and impress a couple of people and get picked up," Delean said.
Delean is a product of SANFL club South Adelaide, which boasts an amazing recent AFL draft record.
In the last nine years, the Panthers have had 22 players selected, including the number one pick in the 2021 national draft, Jason Horne-Francis.
He was chosen by North Melbourne, before controversially moving from the Kangaroos to Port Adelaide at the end of last season, and notched up 25 disposals and a goal against Brisbane on Saturday.
Also included in the AFL's current crop of former Panthers are Melbourne premiership player Tom Sparrow, Magpie forward Beau McCreery and Essendon ruckman Sam Draper.
'We invest in good people'
Much of South Adelaide's success has come under talent manager Mark Clayton, a 228-game premiership player with Port Adelaide in the SANFL.
Six years ago, he saw the vast potential of the southern suburbs and made the move to Noarlunga, taking over programs set up by predecessor Tony Bamford, who is now state under-18 coach.
"They were starting to get some better results and I thought there was a lot of room for improvement and I thought I could come here and make a difference," Clayton said.
He now has a proven track record, with 12 players selected in the last three years alone, including Swan Matt Roberts and Adelaide utility Brayden Cook.
Clayton said there is no secret to the success.
"We put a lot of time and effort into not only the players, but the coaches and the whole program. So we get good people in and we invest in good people, then we get good results," he said.
"You need to have enough talent to get drafted number one, you need to work hard enough and you need to be a good person."
Bryce Gibbs is a senior player with the Panthers, as well as being deeply involved with junior programs at the club.
He was a number one draft pick in the AFL in 2006, and went on to play more than 200 games with Carlton, before returning to South Australia to play with the Adelaide Crows.
Gibbs believes South Adelaide had to first bridge a divide with local suburban clubs, with Bamford and then Clayton having success in bringing all football clubs in the southern zone closer together.
"Now we're seeing local clubs actually push their juniors to be involved in our programs," he said.
"Getting a couple drafted certainly helps — some kids can actually see a pathway through South Adelaide into the AFL."
Three more expected in this year's draft
The Panthers AFL pipeline is currently showing no signs of coming to an end.
"I think we're a legit chance to get three picked up by the end of the year," Clayton said.
"The following year, we've probably got a few that tick the right boxes as well."
At this point in time, Delean seems the stand-out candidate for 2023 selection, alongside Tom Wheaton and Taylor Goad, while Benny Barrett and Sid Draper are a year younger and eligible for next year's draft.
But it isn't just young players whom the Panthers have helped nurture for a shot at the big time.
Mature players have also joined the club hoping to get drafted, with Saints player Tom Highmore and Essendon goal sneak Jye Menzie among several current success stories.
Delean believes the club environment is a big factor in producing so many good players.
"The club's such a great place at the moment, there's players getting drafted and that's exactly what the club wants," the Reynella East junior said.
"I think it gives a belief to a lot of young players as well — they've seen these people come through the ranks at South Adelaide and they can do the exact same thing."
Gibbs believes Delean could be an elite player of the future.
"Really exciting, obviously — I think [there's] just a lot of raw talent," he said.
"I don't think he's quite worked out what he's capable of just yet, which is really exciting."