2013 Player Profile: Sam Kerridge

[Mr.Craig]

Sam Kerridge



Birthday - 26/4/93
188cm/86kg
Price/Position - $108,500 (FWD/MID)
2012 Games - 1 game for a score of 6 (green vest).

2012 SANFL Scores - 51, 40, 55, 46, 99, 57, 44, 79, 47, 35, 103, 41, 89, 52, 76, 94, 58, 87 (Ave: 64)

2013 NAB Cup Scores - 29 and 58.

More than a few people were burnt by Kerridge last year when they believed he'd play early, as it turned out he only managed a single game for a score of 6. However 7.1% of coaches are lining up to give him another go in 2013. By all reports Sam's been training well and Brenton Sanderson has been quoted as saying he is in line to be one of the future leadership members.

However the fact remains that there's only so many spots in the Crows' midfield and with Crouch about to leapfrog Kerridge into the side he will most likely need to rely on injuries to gain a start. His SANFL scores for 2012 also provide a snapshot of inconsistent scoring/performances that suggests he might find it hard to stay in the team even if opportunity knocks.

There's a bit to like about this kid but even at 108k and with a drought of cheap forward options I don't think he'd be a wise choice.

Crows Player Bio -

Adelaide’s first pick (No.29 overall) in the 2011 AFL Draft, Kerridge impressed in his first pre-season and earned a call-up as the substitute in the Club’s Round Three clash with Hawthorn. A favourable run with injuries prevented the hard-running midfielder from adding to his games tally in 2012, but he continued to display strong form for SANFL Sturt and will benefit from another full pre-season.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/young-duo-keen-to-nab-their-chances/story-e6frf9jf-1226579517596

SAM Kerridge and Ollie Wines have followed similar paths to the AFL, shining at the Bendigo Pioneers before becoming top draft picks at the Crows and Power respectively.

The two country lads are now focused on using this year's NAB Cup competition - which begins at AAMI Stadium today with a triple-header involving St Kilda - to arrive at the same destination: in the starting 22 at their clubs for Round 1.

Both have legitimate chances.

Kerridge, taken with pick 27 in the 2011 draft and with one year of AFL under his belt, is seen by many in Adelaide's inner circles as one of the most likely youngsters to make the leap this season.

He has added a bit of extra muscle to his frame in the pre-season, and after a brief taste as a substitute in Round 3 last year against Hawthorn he is ready for more regular action.

"I'd like to squeeze my way into the midfield and half-forward," Kerridge said. "The NAB Cup is definitely important. This is a chance to show what you've got and play well, to try and forge your way in."

Kerridge played every game in Adelaide's successful run to the NAB Cup final last year and believes the relatively young squad picked by coach Brenton Sanderson for today's matches won't stop the Crows from winning.

In fact, they could strike a mental blow by defeating a Power side which features most of their top-line players.

"That's definitely something to think about," Kerridge said.

"But with such a young side in we're just going out trying to play our best footy. Like Brenton said the other day, everytime we go out we're expecting to win."

http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/story/1280420/flying-high-kerridge-is-ready-to-soar-in-his-second-year-with-the-crows/?cs=1259

SEASON 2012 was one of the toughest, but most rewarding, for Sunraysia football export Sam Kerridge.

The 19-year-old Adelaide Crows midfielder spent his first year on an AFL list and said the experience was eye opening.

Tough pre-season training regimes, fighting for a senior place with his South Australian National Football League form, and making his debut all came and went in a year he described as “a blur”.

After just one senior game in round three against Hawthorn, when he entered as a sub, Kerridge is hungry for a bigger slice of AFL action.

He said was fit and firing this pre-season. “I’m feeling good. Pre-season has been tough as usual, but coming up to the season, this is what it’s all about,” he said.

“Being a second-year player, you know a bit more about what to expect with training and what’s required with your workload.

“We have the same playing group, and we have a great bunch of coaches, so we don’t think there is any excuse why we can’t go further than we did last year.

“Everyone is fit and raring to go.”

When drafted, Kerridge was touted for multiple games in his opening season, already sporting the body size needed for a youngster to play in his first season.

However, strong seasons from similar players â€" Matthew Wright, Matthew Jaensch, Ricky Henderson and Ian Callinan, not to mention a fully fit Jason Porplyzia â€" forced the former Mildura Demon to take a back seat.

“There is a heap of them, unfortunately,” he laughed. “In the end it will come down to how hard we work on the track and the decision will be made as to who best suits our set up.

[Windigo]

If he plays, might be a sub candidate.  :-\

[Mr.Craig]

I still feel like he might be a SANFL specialist but his first two performances have been impressive.

Game 1 - 20 disposals, 3 marks, 9 tackles (98 DT)
Game 2 - 30 disposals, 6 marks, 10 tackles (129 DT)

[Windigo]

Might provide a good downgrade option if he gets a few games, later on...