As the league underdogs, Hornridge were not expected to win any games this season, but the side has shunned critics by winning two and missing out on more by a mere goal.

Hornridge club president Craig Hancock told The Roxby Downs Sun he was happy with the club’s season this year and had the club’s up-and-coming junior stars to thank for it.

“The coaches encourage the boys to get involved with seniors and they recommend the ones they think would do well,” he said.

“So we bring them out to train with us until they’re comfortable.”

The seven young guns are as young as 14, not that you can tell given most are taller than the coaches.

“In most clubs juniors start in a seniors side at age 16/17, if they’re pretty good they might even start at 15.

“You might be lucky to see three in a side, so we are happy with the number we have and how well they have performed.”

Most of the young players are still playing in their junior squad teams before taking to the field with the seniors.

Mitch Blackie, Dylan Male and Bowde Kelly were picked for the West Adelaide country squad in the Under 17 Youth Championships recently.

The team won three out of four matches in the carnival.

Mitch Blackie was named in the best players in three matches and Dylan Male was named in one.

Bowde Kelly got a special mention for his rucking efforts.

Hancock said all three had the potential to follow football as a career.

“Young Mitch Blackie is headlining at the moment and is a favourite for the medal this year and our club medal.”

Blackie was also recently picked for the Miners Cup selection.

“We didn’t finish in the best spot this season but with our young kids coming though showing so much potential we could well be a strong force next year,” Hancock said.

“Coach Shane Moroney has been a strong influence on them, he’s worked really hard promoting the juniors, he’s even placed them in the team ahead of some seniors because they show up to training each week.

“The junior footy deserves a mention because the lads coming up are so mature, they’re a better standard on the field with the way they conduct themselves with umpires and other players.

“A big thank you to all our junior boys from the Hornridge footy club, without them this season we would have really been struggling.”