The new-look SANFL is providing opportunities for players who may have otherwise have spent their careers in country and amateur league competitions.
The removal of AFL players from SANFL club lists – other than Port and Adelaide – has created chances for more “footy-ready” talent.
The latest example is the debut of 25-year-old super boot Darren Shillabeer with North Adelaide.
Shillabeer, a Yatala Labour Prison correctional officer, already has three premiership flags with Spencer Gulf side Central Augusta.
He came to North Adelaide looking to break into the SANFL. He spent most of this season in the reserves, leading up to last Saturday’s stunning first up senior appearance at Prospect Oval against the Eagles.
The 195cm, 98kg key position player had 17 possessions, including 15 kicks and took a match-high 13 marks.
As the Roosters charged home after the main break, kicking 11 goals to four to defeat the Eagles by 38 points, Shillabeer kicked three goals in the second half and finished with 3.3 in his break-through match.
“Darren had been in consistent form in the reserves, developing his game under our coaching staff,” Roosters Football Manager Darryl Wintle said.
“It was a pretty complete performance first up.
“His last goal was kicked from 65 metres out after the final siren kicking towards the northern end of Prospect Oval.
“He is a booming kick and that ball travelled through the post half way up.”
Shillabeer had played four years of junior football in the SANFL – two at Under 17 level and two in the Under 19s.
He has enjoyed three A-grade flags in the Spencer Gulf competition, one under Gary Kernahan (Stephen Kernahan’s older sibling) as a 17-year-old in 2006 and two with the Central Bloods under former West/Port Adelaide strong man Ray Hayes in 2010 and 2011.
He felt this was his last opportunity to have a crack at SANFL footy.
“Craig Brooks (North reserves coach) has used me as a bit of a swing man,” Shillabeer said.
“I started at centre half back and then went forward.
“I’m keen to have another big pre-season and play consistent league football next year.”
He is the nephew of Norwood half forward/rover David Shillabeer, who played 35 league games with the Redlegs in the Robert Oatey era between 1966 and 1970.
