AFL XI: Footballers who played junior cricket for Australia, turned down state contracts

To celebrate the changing of the season, CODE Sports has named a Keith Miller XI. The selection criteria was simple: be a cricketer of note on an AFL list in 2023.

Stephen Coniglio

An honest conversation with Justin Langer helped the West Australian decide to focus on an AFL career rather than cricket in his draft year of 2011. Coniglio was a promising batter who rose through WA’s junior cricket ranks alongside Cameron Bancroft, while he also won a WAFL grand final at age 16.

Trivia question: Which AFL player represented his state at under-17 level, playing against a NSW side featuring Pat Cummins and Kurtis Patterson?

Nathan Murphy

Represented Australia at under-16 level alongside Will Sutherland, Jason Sangha and Austin Waugh. Also played cricket for Victoria throughout his teenage years, progressing through the age groups with Will Pucovski. A talented batter who was also adept with the gloves.

Trivia question: Which AFL player opened the batting for Australia under-16s, against a Pakistan attack spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi?

Shannon Hurn (captain)

Long before becoming West Coast’s 2018 premiership captain, the defender was an eye-catching batter from the Barossa Valley. Hurn was offered a rookie contract by the South Australian Cricket Association. He represented the state at consecutive under-17 championships, playing against the likes of Aaron Finch, Peter Siddle, Matthew Wade, Stephen O’Keefe and Peter Nevill.

Trivia question: Which AFL player called Darren Lehmann and Ryan Harris teammates while wielding the willow for Northern Districts in Adelaide?

Alex Keath

An automatic selection; the all-rounder gave up a spot on Gold Coast’s list to chase his cricketing dream. He played seven first-class games, debuting in a 2010 Ashes tour game before being delisted by Cricket Victoria after the 2014-15 season. Keath shifted to Adelaide, held contracts with the Crows and Strikers during the ensuing summer, and ultimately made his AFL debut in 2017.

Trivia question: Which AFL player featured alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Marsh in the XI that carried Australia to victory in the 2010 under-19 World Cup final?

Connor Rozee

It wasn’t quite as spectacular as Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin’s effort at the Gabba, but Rozee’s catch in a Twenty20 charity game at Adelaide Oval was fantastic. Was just 12 years old when state cricket selectors took notice of his talent. Rozee’s family shifted from Port Augusta to Adelaide to help the opener develop his cricket at East Torrens but footy proved his true calling.

Trivia question: Which AFL player scored 29 and was dismissed by Afghan wizard Rashid Khan at Adelaide Oval in 2020?

Zach Merrett

The days of Max Walker and Peter Bedford juggling footy and cricket careers are sadly over. But the off-season cricket cameo is alive and well, as Jack Ginnivan recently proved. Merrett, meanwhile, finished 152 not out when he played for Cobden in 2020. The Essendon midfielder excelled at both sports as a child but notably, it was a cricket scholarship that brought him to Melbourne Grammar.

Trivia question: Which AFL player lined up alongside future BBL all-rounder Matthew Short and Gold Coast Suns star Touk Miller in a Victorian under-15 cricket side?

Touk Miller (wicketkeeper)

Hard to overlook anybody who played first grade cricket in Melbourne at age 15. The Gold Coast Suns gun represented his state in cricket at a junior level. Like many members of this XI, stopped playing cricket to increase his chances of being drafted and hasn’t looked back since.

Trivia question: Which AFL player made his first grade debut against Prahran in a match that featured a Chris Rogers century?

Caleb Serong

An unbeaten 52 for Vic Country, scored against NSW at the national under-15 championships in 2016, suggests he could play a bit. Likewise an unbeaten century for Geelong Grammar in 2018 – and the fact that the Gippsland product opened the bowling before shifting his full attention to footy.

Trivia question: Which AFL player represented his state in under-15 cricket, playing alongside India-bound spinner Todd Murphy?

Jordan Clark

The fast bowler was regarded as one of Western Australia’s most exciting pace prospects. Juggled both Sherrin and Kookaburra until his draft year, when selection in the AFL under-18 All-Australian team and a WAFL call-up helped make the decision easier. Was invited to Cricket Australia’s 2017 pathway rookie camp.

Trivia question: Which AFL player snared a hat-trick for Australia’s under-16 side in Dubai, starring in a one-dayer against Pakistan?

Toby Nankervis

If we were trying to pick a balanced attack, it would be impossible to leave out the imposing left-armer. As is, the Richmond co-captain warrants a place on account of his output for George Town (the same club that produced Xavier Doherty) and Tasmania’s under-17 squad during 2011. Cricket had been his chief focus but footy became the ruckman’s devotion after being overlooked at the 2012 draft.

Trivia question: Which AFL player dismissed Marnus Labuschagne while representing Tasmania at under-17 level?

Todd Marshall

The off-spinner, who hails from Deniliquin, visited the UK as part of a NSW Combined High Schools cricket squad in 2015. Ironically, the trip helped him decide to pursue an AFL career, having previously ignored invites to the GWS Giants academy because of the summer sport.

Trivia question: Which AFL player toured England alongside Sydney Thunder duo Jason Sangha and Matt Gilkes?

Keith Miller XI 

Stephen Coniglio, Nathan Murphy, Shannon Hurn (capt), Alex Keath, Connor Rozee, Zach Merrett, Touk Miller, Caleb Serong, Jordan Clark, Toby Nankervis, Todd Marshall.

Coach: Jess Duffin

Somebody who understands the rigours of cricket and footy at the highest level. Duffin, who recently retired after playing every AFLW season since the league’s inception, ticks both boxes as an Ashes tourist, winner of the 2012-13 Belinda Clark Award, and WBBL mainstay.

12th man: Harry Lemmey

Absence of AFL experience was the only thing keeping this 2022 draftee out of the team. Opened the bowling for the Cricket Australia XI (a team featuring the nation’s best under-15 players) at the under-17 national championships in 2019.