SAWTELL’S Angus Anderson is headed to South Australia after signing his first professional contract as he pursues his AFL dream.

The former Sawtell/Toormina Saints player will play for the Sturt Double Blues in the South Australian National Football League in 2023.

The South Australian National Football League (SANFL) is one of the best Australian Rules Football leagues in Australia, and could be a stepping stone for the young player to earn an AFL spot.

His signing with Sturt comes on the back of a season spent in Sydney where he played for both the Sydney Swans NAB League and VFL teams.

The 19-year-old was also an important part of the Allies team in the AFL Under 19 National Championships, captaining the team on one occasion and being included in the team’s three best players in each match he played.

Next year he will turn out for a strong Sturt outfit that finished fifth in the SANFL and played finals footy.

The Double Blues are coached by Marty Mattner who played over 200 matches in the AFL for the Adelaide Crows and Sydney Swans, winning the 2012 Premiership with the Swans.

Anderson is understandably excited by the opportunity that playing with Sturt presents.

“I really felt wanted by Sturt and that was the main reason I decided to join,” he said.

“They’re a really strong club with a great coach and I just can’t wait to get over to Adelaide and get started.”

The AFL prospect said the opportunity to play in the SANFL could be a pathway to making the AFL.

“I haven’t given up on the dream of playing at AFL level, and the Sturt footy club supports me in pursuing that,” he said.

“If I do make it to the AFL, it won’t be via the traditional pathway of being drafted at 18, but it will be my pathway.”

Sturt coach Marty Mattner expressed his delight at the signing, and gave a strong indication about how Angus will be utilised.

“We are excited by Anderson’s inside clearance work and clean hands, he adds height and strength to our midfield line up,” he said.

Community Football and Competition Manager ‑ Northern NSW, Paul Taylor, has watched the young gun in action playing in the AFL North Coast competition.

He said Anderson would learn a lot from playing in one of the best competitions in Australia.

“I know the club thinks very highly of him and have indicated that he’ll get plenty of time in his preferred position of midfield, which is the most competitive area of the ground,” he said.

“There are a lot of former AFL listed players in the SANFL so the standard is high, with plenty of opportunity to learn from those players at your own club, and to test yourself against those in other teams.

“As a result, it is a competition that AFL recruiters are regularly watching, with a lot of the mid-season draftees and mature age recruits coming from that competition.

“Angus is the type of person who’ll put his best foot forward wherever he lands, and that will ensure that he goes really well in the SANFL.”

By Aiden BURGESS