- Joined
- May 8, 2001
- Posts
- 5,748
- Reaction score
- 997
- Location
- X Convenience Oval, Elizabeth
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- CDFC (SANFL), Port Melb (VFL)
Hi Footy fans...
We are now just a few days away from the commencement of another season of SANFL football and we go into this new season with a brand new sponsor. This season its Australian superannuation group HostPlus with the naming rights, taking over from Statewide for the foreseeable future. The Eagles stayed on top of the heap and made history, for the first time in their life as a merged entity they secured back-to-back league premierships after disposing of the Tigers in last year's Grand Final. It was a huge shock to many with the final margin of just over 10 goals, a disappointing end for a club that was on the cusp of capping off their centenary year by winning the flag for a sixth time and instead going down with barely a whimper. For the league itself, this season holds the probable promise of higher turnouts, with the restrictions set due to the ongoing coronavirus issues about to ease even further. Even though the premiership decider had crowd restrictions, it was still a shock that for the first time in a long time if not ever in the post-AFL era, that the Western Australian league decider out-drew our Grand Final by almost 8,000 people. SA footy-heads will hopefully be turning out in droves this season, so will the Eagles go one feat further in their history and make it a triple-treat? Just a few more days, folks... and we'll find out.
This is the Season Kick-off post to begin the SANFL 2022 Hostplus League Premiership Season.
THE TEAMS -- Ins & Outs
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS
He came into the club after getting Athelstone into the Adelaide Footy League premier division. Jade Sheedy's arrival at Oval Avenue would see the 2020 premiership flag follow him and then a year later, he and his charges would go back-to-back with a 61-point hiding of the Tigers. Add in his State match victory and within just a couple of years, Sheedy has pretty much done everything possible in SANFL football as a player and a coach. This year, though, might prove more difficult. As is usually the case a lot of the time especially for what has been dubbed "the footballer factory of SA", the AFL comes calling as does retirements. Several premiership heroes are heading out the door, including AFL pick-ups James Tsitas (Gold Coast), Tyson Stengle (Geelong) and Jack Oatey medallist Jack Hayes (St. Kilda). Pat Giuffreda is hanging up the boots, while Jake von Bertouch and Angus Poole head to the sticks and Ben Jungfer is off to WA for work. The incoming group isn't a big group, but there's a couple of returns to the Eagles' nest including Jarrad Allmond and tall-timber Seb Guilhaus.
COMING -- Dylan Clarke (Essendon), Jarred Allmond (returned/North Adelaide), Connor Ballenden (Brisbane Lions), Mitch Duval (West Adelaide), Seb Guilhaus (returned/Victor Harbor)
GOING -- Jack Hayes (St Kilda), James Tsitas (Gold Coast), Tyson Stengle (Geelong), Patrick Giuffreda (retired), Angus Poole (retired/Kadina), Ben Jungfer (Western Australia/work), Jake Von Bertouch (retired/Kadina), Pierce Seymour (Norwood), Thomas Schmusch (Port District), Cooper Gaffney (Port District), Seb Kerrish (Sacred Heart OC), Jackson Lee (Port Adelaide SANFL), Nick Moore (Port Adelaide SANFL), Jase Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)
GLENELG
Oh what went wrong at the Bay? The Tigers dropped just one game during the minor round, which was Round 19 against the old enemy at Alberton. They finished minor premiers and looked certain to go on to win the title in their centenary year. But then a loss in the 2nd Semi-Final by less than a kick exposed some chinks in the Tigers' armour and despite pushing past an inaccurate South Adelaide, an ambush awaited them in the decider. It was a horror afternoon for the Glenelg faithful, all over by three-quarter time. Three top players called time on the league careers in the aftermath, with Chris Curran, Marlon Motlop and Brad Agnew leaving Brighton Road. Much like the Eagles' arrival lounge, it wasn't exactly bustling with activity. Jordan Murdoch is returning to the club after a stint at the Suns, coming with him from Queensland is Aspley product Corey Lyons who spent some time with the Brisbane Lions. More players are probably to be sourced from their reserves side, who managed to win the 2021 Reserves premiership so there's more than a few youngsters from the two's looking to make an impact at League level.
COMING -- Jordan Murdoch (returned/Gold Coast), Corey Lyons (Aspley/Brisbane Lions), Cole Gerloff (Norwood), Marco Rossman (Sydney Swans Academy), James Deegan (Glenorchy)
GOING -- Chris Curran (retired/Prince Alfred College OC), Marlon Motlop (retired), Brad Agnew (retired/Echunga), Dylan Landt (Essendon VFL), Brodie Newman (Darwin), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda), Matt Uebergang (retired), Jack Kluske (Mypolonga), Tom Schott (retired), Callum Park (West Adelaide), Tom Condon (Norwood), Jackson Edwards (West Adelaide), Angus Weir (Yankallila), Oscar Adams (St Kilda)
SOUTH ADELAIDE
The Panthers have over the past few seasons been edged out of contention and last season once again fell short of ending a 40+ year absence from the big dance. To their credit, they finished fifth at the end of the minor round, bounced the Roosters and then Norwood in consecutive weeks, but then came the Tigers. They were never more than two or three goals behind in the Preliminary Final for three quarters, but a horribly inaccurate final term allowed yet another Grand Final appearance to slip through their claws as they went down by 28 points. Once again, the AFL has dug in and the departure lounge was fairly busy. Jason Horne-Francis heads off to North Melbourne, Sam Skinner to the Power, Matt Roberts to Sydney and Arlo Draper to Collingwood. Retirements and country footy have taken Anthony Biemans, Nic Schwarz, Alex Cailotto, Ben Haren and dual Magarey Medal winner Joel Cross. Keegan Brooksby returns to Noarlunga from Hawthorn and Elliot Dunkin has crossed from the Bloods.
COMING -- Keegan Brooksby (returned/Hawthorn), Ryan Garthwaite (Richmond), Oscar Brownless (Geelong), Oscar Claravino (St Kilda), Harrison Gunther (Glenorchy), Ollie Davis (Adelaide SANFL/Clarence), Elliot Dunkin (West Adelaide), Sam Ramsay (Carlton VFL), Jye Menzie (North Hobart), Kyle Emery (Darwin)
GOING -- Joel Cross (retired), Jason Horne-Francis (North Melbourne), Matthew Roberts (Sydney Swans), Arlo Draper (Collingwood), Sam Skinner (Port Adelaide), Alex Cailotto (retired/Sacred Heart OC), Nic Schwarz (retired/Flinders Park), Anthony Biemans (retired/Morphett Vale), Tyson Brown (McLaren), Jake Tarca (Encounter Bay), Ben Haren (Lockleys), Jake McCreery (Cove), Jack Elsworthy (Kadina), Daniel Nobes (Hope Valley), Ben Sawford (Payneham), Jaidan Kappler (Noarlunga), Jesse McKinnon (Victor Harbor), James Loneragan (Triathlon)
NORWOOD
The Redlegs minor round ended in a flurry of wins to ensure they had the double chance in the finals series by finishing third on the ladder, but they squandered it in spectacular fashion as they were dumped from contention in straight sets. First by the eventual premiers in the Qualifying Final by seven points, then by the Panthers by 19 points in the 1st Semi-Final. For 2022, things may not be any better or any worse unless their incoming group can turn that result around. There's quite the outgoing contingent, several of which played in their last Grand Final appearance in 2018. Mitch Grigg, Paul Puopolo, Richard Douglas, Cam Shenton, Brad McKenzie, Michael Knoll, Michael Talia... all either finished or heading to local or bush football. On the plus side, some previous Redlegs experience is coming home, including Cam Taheny and Ben Jarvis who return from Geelong. There's some SANFL defectors as well, including former Centrals duo Connor McLean and Tom Graham, Pierce Seymour from the Eagles and Tom Condon from the Tigers.
COMING -- Cam Taheny (returned/Geelong), Ben Jarvis (returned/Geelong), Pierce Seymour (Woodville-West Torrens), Jay Rantall (Collingwood), Connor Mclean (Central District), Tom Graham (Central District), Tom Condon (Glenelg), Kobe Tozer (Aspley), Cory Stockdale (Casey Scorpions), Max Hodges (Payneham)
GOING -- Mitch Grigg (retired/Lobethal), Richard Douglas (retired), Paul Puopolo (retired/Virginia), Brad McKenzie (retired/Payneham), Cameron Shenton (retired/Golden Grove), Cole Gerloff (Glenelg), Michael Knoll (retired), Michael Talia (retired), Cooper Murley (Collingwood), Alastair Lord (Essendon), Henry Crauford (Central Yorke Cougars), Peter Bampton (Lobethal), Emmanuel Irra, Zac Richards, Daniel Fairbrother
NORTH ADELAIDE
The last couple of home and away matches probably gave an early warning to the Prospect faithful about their early exit from last year's finals. In Round 17, the Roosters were third on the ladder after they had beaten the Eagles and the Panthers over consecutive weeks. But losses to the Redlegs and then a final round shocker against the Double Blues at Unley saw them drop to fourth and into an Elimination Final. North didn't do well in the horrid conditions during the mid-day contest and were handed a 43-point defeat to end 2021, putting the sword to any thought to an improvement on a Grand Final finish in 2020. With a large list of departures to deal with, the Roosters embarked on a massive recruiting campaign. Leaving from Menzies Crescent, names such as Allmond, Clisby, Schwarz, Hender, Barns and Hartung. Only Allmond is continuing playing SANFL as he returns to Woodville Oval. Coming in are players with plenty of State league experience, including Jake Patmore from WAFL outfit Claremont, Reed Van Huisstede and Sam Thorne from Sydney's VFL side, Will Gowers from Aspley in QLD and Lachlan Grubb transfers from Central District.
COMING -- Jake Patmore (Claremont), Will Gowers (Aspley), Will Tasker (Brisbane Lions Academy), Liam Hoy (UNSW Bulldogs), Reed van Huisstede (Sydney Swans Academy/VFL), Sam Thorne (Sydney Swans Academy/VFL), Lachlan Grubb (Central District), Nigel Lockyer (Rovers – Alice Springs), Tom Stapleton (Queanbeyan), Jacob Bauer (Sydney Swans Academy), Boadie Motton (Yarram, Victoria), Matthew Longbottom (BSR), Harrison Elbrow (Willaston), Tyson Brazel (Prince Alfred OC)
GOING -- Jarred Allmond (Woodville-West Torrens), Mitch Clisby (retired/Westminster OC), Tom Schwarz (retired/Flinders Park), Lewis Hender (retired/Keith), Alex Barns (retired/Morphettville Park), Tanner Smith (retired), Billy Hartung (Victoria), James Craig (retired/Westminster OC), Robbie Young (Tailem Bend), Elliot Chalmers (Myponga/Sellicks FC), James Willis (Geelong), Harvey Harrison (Collingwood), Hugh Jackson (Port Adelaide), Kaine Mercovich (Port Fairy), Mason Neagle (St Peters OC), Jayden Davison (Kilburn)
STURT
One of the most consistent presences in SANFL finals over the past eight years, missing the finals in two of those years being 2015 and 2020. They missed finals action by two premiership points, the Panthers just keeping themselves out of reach in the last three rounds. They gave the Eagles a fright in Round 18, that match was the one that got away and probably the difference maker between their sixth placed finish and unseating the Panthers from their spot. The Blues will likely be relying on their young guns for a great deal of their new look line-up, with some outgoing players leaving a bit of a void. Most notable of the departures of course was dual premiership hero Zane Kirkwood, as well as Mark Evans, Jake Sutcliffe and Matt Crocker. Their incoming list is small, with the return of Malachy Curruthers from Sydney, James Matthews comes in from Adelaide's SANFL side, and from country Victoria comes Josh Rentsch from TAC Cup outfit GWV Rebels.
COMING -- James Mathews (Adelaide SANFL), Malachy Carruthers (returned/Sydney Swans), Daniel Schoell (Onkaparinga Valley), Josh Rentsch (Greater Western Victoria Rebels), Sam Breuer (Horsham Saints)
GOING -- Zane Kirkwood (retired/Tanunda), Mark Evans (retired/Pembroke OC), Matt Crocker (retired), Jake Sutcliffe (St Peter’s OC), Josh Patullo (Victoria), Charlie Parker (Western Bulldogs), Jordan Houlahan (work/Mt Barker), Malachy Lines (Mount Barker), Sam Smith (Glenunga), Joel Parker-Boers (Hahndorf), Morgan Ferres (Gold Coast VFL)
PORT ADELAIDE
The Magpies finished seventh, leaving their best footy in the first half of the season. Their best vein of form came during Round 5 to 8, where they smacked the Eagles by 10 goals to start said run. That was followed by four straight losses and won four of their last seven games. Perhaps the Eagles should have thanked Port for exposing some flaws, it was the Magpies' six-goal final round win against the Tigers that probably helped de-rail their flag hunt. As is the case with an AFL club and their seconds, there's going to be some ins and outs that will affect the Magpies. Whether good or bad will be anyone's guess. While Tom Rockliff has retired, Hamish Harlett returns to the Bloods and Jarrod Lienert gets his AFL life-line with St. Kilda, a sizeable contingent of SANFL experienced players are moving in. Sam Skinner was drafted by the Power, while Trent Dumont comes in from the Kangaroos. Probably the most surprising recruitment is Anthony Wilson, the 2014 premiership player for the Redlegs against the Magpies. He left Norwood after 2020 to play for Payneham Norwood Union in the Adelaide Footy League, but answered the call from Alberton.
COMING -- Trent Dumont (North Melbourne), Sam Skinner (South Adelaide), Josh Sinn (Sandringham Dragons), Dante Visentini (Sandringham Dragons), Jase Burgoyne (Woodville-West Torrens), Hugh Jackson (North Adelaide), Anthony Wilson (Payneham), Jackson Lee (Woodville-West Torrens), Nick Moore (Woodville-West Torrens), Brayden Kirk (Crystal Brook/North Adelaide)
GOING -- Hamish Hartlett (delisted/West Adelaide), Boyd Woodcock (delisted/Southport Sharks), Joel Garner (delisted), Peter Ladhams (Sydney Swans), Jarrod Lienert (delisted/St Kilda), Tom Rockliff (retired)
ADELAIDE
The Crows reserves side would finish eighth at the end of 2021, finishing well off the pace in contrast the Blues and the Magpies who were four games clear. They won five games and lost 13, their one highlight was perhaps their defeat of the Magpies in Round 16. They did push the Tigers hard in Round 13 in perhaps one of their strongest showings for the season, but still went down by 15 points. Perhaps not totally done with SANFL football just yet, the Crows managed to land former Central District player Isaya McKenzie after he left the Bulldogs for Willaston last season. He'll be reunited with Jacob Templeton who also crosses over from the Ponderosa, then there's former Eagle Louis Sharrad who comes in from Port District. On their way to other SANFL clubs for more league exposure are James Matthews to the Blues and Ollie Davis to South Adelaide.
COMING -- Nathan Freeman (Frankston VFL), Josh Rachele (Shepparton/Murray Bushrangers), Jake Soligo (Eastern Ranges), Zac Taylor (Calder Cannons), Luke Nankervis (Sandringham Dragons), Louis Sharrad (Port District/Woodville-West Torrens), Isaya McKenzie (Willaston/Central District), Jacob Templeton (Central District), Josh Smithson (North Haven/West Adelaide)
GOING -- James Mathews (Sturt), Ollie Davis (South Adelaide), Ben Davis (delisted), Tom Lynch (delisted), Jake Kelly (Essendon), David Mackay (retired), Ronin O’Connor (delisted), Daniel Talia (retired)
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Another disappointing season for the Bulldogs, finishing second-last for yet another year. They finished 2021 with barely a whimper. Ironically in the shortened season of 2020, they faced the Eagles in the final round of the year and beat them by four points. The Eagles went on the win the flag. In the final outing for last year, the Eagles smashed the hapless Bulldogs by over 17 goals and again went on to win the flag. Not the way first year senior coach Paul Thomas would have wanted to finish off the season. Whether it was club culture, decision making behind the scenes or something in the Powerade, there would be a mass exodus from Goodman Road at season's end. Not including Leek Aleer, whose abilities and all-out enthusiasm saw him picked up by GWS. Others retired, went to country footy or defected to other SANFL teams. The aforementioned departures of McLean and Graham to The Parade, Templeton to the Crows and Grubb to North Adelaide are just a few. There is however, another group of country footballers looking to make a mark though, a couple of interstate players and the return of Aaron Nietschke from Melbourne.
COMING -- Aaron Nietschke (returned/Melbourne), George Kendall (Mangoplah Cookardinia-United Eastlake), Zac Buechner (Clarence), Bailey Reeves (Gold Coast Academy), Billy McCormack (Frankston), Blake Launer (Eudunda-Robertstown/Adelaide SANFL), Dustin Launer (Woodville-West Torrens), Jamie Jones (Nightcliff), Patrick Hillard (Blackwood), Lachlan Arnold (South Gawler)
GOING -- Leek Aleer (Greater Western Sydney), Nick Gillard (retired), Brendan Dew (Barossa District), Brett Kennedy (Gawler Central), Connor Mclean (Norwood), Tom Graham (Norwood), Jacob Templeton (Adelaide SANFL), Jonathan Marsh (Coburg), Lachlan Grubb (North Adelaide), David Haydon (retired), Dylan Morton (PHOS Camden), Corey Di Stefano (Golden Grove), Jordan O’Brien (Salisbury North), Wyatt Patterson (Golden Grove)
WEST ADELAIDE
Ah yes, the seemingly perennial also-rans and wooden spooners of the competition. Another last placed finish was the Bloods' fate for '21, as it was in 2020 and 2019. That breakthrough premiership of 2015 seems so far away now, the story of Westies' life almost seeing that most of their flags must have felt like breakthrough years. They had just two wins for the year, happening over two consecutive weeks in Round 4 against Norwood by three goals and then against Centrals by four goals. They wouldn't taste victory again. There was further embarrassment to come however, in Round 16 at home to the Blues they were kept to six behinds and lost by 76 points. Not a single goal kicked. I've probably said this more that a few times in these threads, but surely the only way is up, right? They'd better this time around, no one wants to celebrate 130 years with yet another spoon. The losses of Kaine Stevens, Josh Schiller and Elliot Dunkin will hurt, but with the return of favourite son and former Port Adelaide player Hamish Hartlett and a mixed group of SANFL defectors and ex-VFL and country arrivals, perhaps this milestone year could at the very least bring them back up from the depths.
COMING -- Hamish Hartlett (Port Adelaide), Kaiden Brand (Sydney Swans), Josh Carmichael (Merbein), Liam Delahunty (Port Melbourne), Michael Mattingly (Kyabram), Clayton Gay (Dandenong Stingrays), Blair Rubock (Labrador), Riley Corbett (Canberra Demons), Callum Park (Glenelg), Darren Walters (Williamstown), Jackson Edwards (Glenelg)
GOING -- Kaine Stevens (retired), Patrick Levicki (retired/Pembroke OS), Tom Murphy (Frankston), Mitch Duval (Woodville-West Torrens), Kieran Lovell (Tasmania), Nathan Batley (retired/Kadina), Josh Schiller (retired/Edwardstown), Elliot Dunkin (South Adelaide), Aaron Anderson (retired/Edwardstown), Angus Rana (Goodwood Saints), Kyle Kirk (Goodwood Saints), Hamish Gordon (Lucindale)
AFL COVID-19 TOP UPS
Thanks to the ongoing issues brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, AFL clubs will have to -- if they haven't already -- sideline players because of close contact rules, quarantining and in some cases, having to deal with players that have not gotten vaccinated. To deal with this, AFL clubs in their respective states have to expand their pool of players, albeit in most cases temporarily. For the Crows and the Power, that means having a list of four players from their four aligned clubs to choose from should the need arise. These top-ups will not be part of their reserves teams and will return to their SANFL club if not selected for the senior side. Already on Adelaide's list are Isaya McKenzie, Jay Boyle, Matt Wright and Nathan Freeman. For Port, they have Trent Burgoyne, Matt Lobbe, Luke Surman and Cam Sutcliffe. The lists from the other clubs are down below.
ADELAIDE TOP-UP LIST
Glenelg -- Luke Partington, Corey Lyons, Sam Durdin, Matthew Allen
Central District -- Justin Hoskin, Kyle Presbury, Travis Schiller, Billy McCormack
Sturt -- Malachy Carruthers, Daniel Fahey-Sparks, Tom Lewis, Casey Voss
North Adelaide -- Alex Spina, Campbell Combe, Harrison Wigg, Aaron Young
PORT ADELAIDE TOP-UP LIST
South Adelaide -- Keegan Brooksby, Oscar Clavarino, Ryan Garthwaite, Bryce Gibbs
West Adelaide -- Kaiden Brand, Hamish Hartlett, Tom Keough, Josh Ryan
Norwood -- Declan Hamilton, Ben Jarvis, Jay Rantall, Jacob Kennerley
Woodville-West Torrens -- Daniel Menzel, Troy Menzel, Dylan Clarke, Connor Ballenden
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
The 2022 SANFL Season begins this coming Friday night with a twilight mini-Showdown between the Crows and the Magpies at Adelaide Oval, a curtain raiser to the main event Showdown. That leaves the rest of the games across different timeslots of Saturday to shine with the first starting at 2:10 at Noarlunga between the Panthers and the Bulldogs for the Mayor's Cup, ending with the Bloods playing the Double Blues under lights at Richmond. As part of the 130 year celebrations, Westies will run out in a heritage strip. The Eagles will be dipping their feet into the twilight and night football market with their brand new light towers at Woodville, starting with their Round 1 game against North at 4pm. At the moment there are seven night games and four twilight matches scheduled, most of the season is still marked TBA so there could be many more in the pipeline. One of those night games is the first game to decide the holder of the Williams-Gallagher Trophy between Norwood and Port in Round 3. The Anzac Day traditional Grand Final rematch will be at Oval Avenue in Round 4 on the Holiday Monday between the Eagles and the Tigers. North Adelaide will also be going retro this season, celebrating 100 years at Prospect Oval in Round 6 with their own throwback jumper. Clubs will see out byes across Rounds 9 to 11 thus replacing the split rounds of old, and the right to retain the Haydn Bunton Junior Trophy will be fought out between South Australia and Western Australia in Perth on Sunday May 15, depending on WA's COVID policies of course.
Touching on the aforementioned fact of most of the season being TBA, that holds true for some games during the period of Round 7 to 11. All but a few games from here onwards have not had actual days and kick-off times fully locked in. Of course more info can be found in the coming weeks at the SANFL website. Single games over most weeks will be covered by Channel Seven and watchable interstate on the 7Plus streaming service.
So the wait is almost over folks, throw the gear in the wash and dust off the flags! Here's what's happening in Round 1.
Friday April 1 @ 4:10pm
Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide; Adelaide Oval
Saturday April 2
South Adelaide vs. Central District; Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga @ 2:10pm
Glenelg vs. Norwood; ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg @ 3:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. North Adelaide; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville @ 4:10pm
West Adelaide vs. Sturt; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 7:40pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
We are now just a few days away from the commencement of another season of SANFL football and we go into this new season with a brand new sponsor. This season its Australian superannuation group HostPlus with the naming rights, taking over from Statewide for the foreseeable future. The Eagles stayed on top of the heap and made history, for the first time in their life as a merged entity they secured back-to-back league premierships after disposing of the Tigers in last year's Grand Final. It was a huge shock to many with the final margin of just over 10 goals, a disappointing end for a club that was on the cusp of capping off their centenary year by winning the flag for a sixth time and instead going down with barely a whimper. For the league itself, this season holds the probable promise of higher turnouts, with the restrictions set due to the ongoing coronavirus issues about to ease even further. Even though the premiership decider had crowd restrictions, it was still a shock that for the first time in a long time if not ever in the post-AFL era, that the Western Australian league decider out-drew our Grand Final by almost 8,000 people. SA footy-heads will hopefully be turning out in droves this season, so will the Eagles go one feat further in their history and make it a triple-treat? Just a few more days, folks... and we'll find out.
This is the Season Kick-off post to begin the SANFL 2022 Hostplus League Premiership Season.
THE TEAMS -- Ins & Outs
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS
He came into the club after getting Athelstone into the Adelaide Footy League premier division. Jade Sheedy's arrival at Oval Avenue would see the 2020 premiership flag follow him and then a year later, he and his charges would go back-to-back with a 61-point hiding of the Tigers. Add in his State match victory and within just a couple of years, Sheedy has pretty much done everything possible in SANFL football as a player and a coach. This year, though, might prove more difficult. As is usually the case a lot of the time especially for what has been dubbed "the footballer factory of SA", the AFL comes calling as does retirements. Several premiership heroes are heading out the door, including AFL pick-ups James Tsitas (Gold Coast), Tyson Stengle (Geelong) and Jack Oatey medallist Jack Hayes (St. Kilda). Pat Giuffreda is hanging up the boots, while Jake von Bertouch and Angus Poole head to the sticks and Ben Jungfer is off to WA for work. The incoming group isn't a big group, but there's a couple of returns to the Eagles' nest including Jarrad Allmond and tall-timber Seb Guilhaus.
COMING -- Dylan Clarke (Essendon), Jarred Allmond (returned/North Adelaide), Connor Ballenden (Brisbane Lions), Mitch Duval (West Adelaide), Seb Guilhaus (returned/Victor Harbor)
GOING -- Jack Hayes (St Kilda), James Tsitas (Gold Coast), Tyson Stengle (Geelong), Patrick Giuffreda (retired), Angus Poole (retired/Kadina), Ben Jungfer (Western Australia/work), Jake Von Bertouch (retired/Kadina), Pierce Seymour (Norwood), Thomas Schmusch (Port District), Cooper Gaffney (Port District), Seb Kerrish (Sacred Heart OC), Jackson Lee (Port Adelaide SANFL), Nick Moore (Port Adelaide SANFL), Jase Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)
GLENELG
Oh what went wrong at the Bay? The Tigers dropped just one game during the minor round, which was Round 19 against the old enemy at Alberton. They finished minor premiers and looked certain to go on to win the title in their centenary year. But then a loss in the 2nd Semi-Final by less than a kick exposed some chinks in the Tigers' armour and despite pushing past an inaccurate South Adelaide, an ambush awaited them in the decider. It was a horror afternoon for the Glenelg faithful, all over by three-quarter time. Three top players called time on the league careers in the aftermath, with Chris Curran, Marlon Motlop and Brad Agnew leaving Brighton Road. Much like the Eagles' arrival lounge, it wasn't exactly bustling with activity. Jordan Murdoch is returning to the club after a stint at the Suns, coming with him from Queensland is Aspley product Corey Lyons who spent some time with the Brisbane Lions. More players are probably to be sourced from their reserves side, who managed to win the 2021 Reserves premiership so there's more than a few youngsters from the two's looking to make an impact at League level.
COMING -- Jordan Murdoch (returned/Gold Coast), Corey Lyons (Aspley/Brisbane Lions), Cole Gerloff (Norwood), Marco Rossman (Sydney Swans Academy), James Deegan (Glenorchy)
GOING -- Chris Curran (retired/Prince Alfred College OC), Marlon Motlop (retired), Brad Agnew (retired/Echunga), Dylan Landt (Essendon VFL), Brodie Newman (Darwin), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda), Matt Uebergang (retired), Jack Kluske (Mypolonga), Tom Schott (retired), Callum Park (West Adelaide), Tom Condon (Norwood), Jackson Edwards (West Adelaide), Angus Weir (Yankallila), Oscar Adams (St Kilda)
SOUTH ADELAIDE
The Panthers have over the past few seasons been edged out of contention and last season once again fell short of ending a 40+ year absence from the big dance. To their credit, they finished fifth at the end of the minor round, bounced the Roosters and then Norwood in consecutive weeks, but then came the Tigers. They were never more than two or three goals behind in the Preliminary Final for three quarters, but a horribly inaccurate final term allowed yet another Grand Final appearance to slip through their claws as they went down by 28 points. Once again, the AFL has dug in and the departure lounge was fairly busy. Jason Horne-Francis heads off to North Melbourne, Sam Skinner to the Power, Matt Roberts to Sydney and Arlo Draper to Collingwood. Retirements and country footy have taken Anthony Biemans, Nic Schwarz, Alex Cailotto, Ben Haren and dual Magarey Medal winner Joel Cross. Keegan Brooksby returns to Noarlunga from Hawthorn and Elliot Dunkin has crossed from the Bloods.
COMING -- Keegan Brooksby (returned/Hawthorn), Ryan Garthwaite (Richmond), Oscar Brownless (Geelong), Oscar Claravino (St Kilda), Harrison Gunther (Glenorchy), Ollie Davis (Adelaide SANFL/Clarence), Elliot Dunkin (West Adelaide), Sam Ramsay (Carlton VFL), Jye Menzie (North Hobart), Kyle Emery (Darwin)
GOING -- Joel Cross (retired), Jason Horne-Francis (North Melbourne), Matthew Roberts (Sydney Swans), Arlo Draper (Collingwood), Sam Skinner (Port Adelaide), Alex Cailotto (retired/Sacred Heart OC), Nic Schwarz (retired/Flinders Park), Anthony Biemans (retired/Morphett Vale), Tyson Brown (McLaren), Jake Tarca (Encounter Bay), Ben Haren (Lockleys), Jake McCreery (Cove), Jack Elsworthy (Kadina), Daniel Nobes (Hope Valley), Ben Sawford (Payneham), Jaidan Kappler (Noarlunga), Jesse McKinnon (Victor Harbor), James Loneragan (Triathlon)
NORWOOD
The Redlegs minor round ended in a flurry of wins to ensure they had the double chance in the finals series by finishing third on the ladder, but they squandered it in spectacular fashion as they were dumped from contention in straight sets. First by the eventual premiers in the Qualifying Final by seven points, then by the Panthers by 19 points in the 1st Semi-Final. For 2022, things may not be any better or any worse unless their incoming group can turn that result around. There's quite the outgoing contingent, several of which played in their last Grand Final appearance in 2018. Mitch Grigg, Paul Puopolo, Richard Douglas, Cam Shenton, Brad McKenzie, Michael Knoll, Michael Talia... all either finished or heading to local or bush football. On the plus side, some previous Redlegs experience is coming home, including Cam Taheny and Ben Jarvis who return from Geelong. There's some SANFL defectors as well, including former Centrals duo Connor McLean and Tom Graham, Pierce Seymour from the Eagles and Tom Condon from the Tigers.
COMING -- Cam Taheny (returned/Geelong), Ben Jarvis (returned/Geelong), Pierce Seymour (Woodville-West Torrens), Jay Rantall (Collingwood), Connor Mclean (Central District), Tom Graham (Central District), Tom Condon (Glenelg), Kobe Tozer (Aspley), Cory Stockdale (Casey Scorpions), Max Hodges (Payneham)
GOING -- Mitch Grigg (retired/Lobethal), Richard Douglas (retired), Paul Puopolo (retired/Virginia), Brad McKenzie (retired/Payneham), Cameron Shenton (retired/Golden Grove), Cole Gerloff (Glenelg), Michael Knoll (retired), Michael Talia (retired), Cooper Murley (Collingwood), Alastair Lord (Essendon), Henry Crauford (Central Yorke Cougars), Peter Bampton (Lobethal), Emmanuel Irra, Zac Richards, Daniel Fairbrother
NORTH ADELAIDE
The last couple of home and away matches probably gave an early warning to the Prospect faithful about their early exit from last year's finals. In Round 17, the Roosters were third on the ladder after they had beaten the Eagles and the Panthers over consecutive weeks. But losses to the Redlegs and then a final round shocker against the Double Blues at Unley saw them drop to fourth and into an Elimination Final. North didn't do well in the horrid conditions during the mid-day contest and were handed a 43-point defeat to end 2021, putting the sword to any thought to an improvement on a Grand Final finish in 2020. With a large list of departures to deal with, the Roosters embarked on a massive recruiting campaign. Leaving from Menzies Crescent, names such as Allmond, Clisby, Schwarz, Hender, Barns and Hartung. Only Allmond is continuing playing SANFL as he returns to Woodville Oval. Coming in are players with plenty of State league experience, including Jake Patmore from WAFL outfit Claremont, Reed Van Huisstede and Sam Thorne from Sydney's VFL side, Will Gowers from Aspley in QLD and Lachlan Grubb transfers from Central District.
COMING -- Jake Patmore (Claremont), Will Gowers (Aspley), Will Tasker (Brisbane Lions Academy), Liam Hoy (UNSW Bulldogs), Reed van Huisstede (Sydney Swans Academy/VFL), Sam Thorne (Sydney Swans Academy/VFL), Lachlan Grubb (Central District), Nigel Lockyer (Rovers – Alice Springs), Tom Stapleton (Queanbeyan), Jacob Bauer (Sydney Swans Academy), Boadie Motton (Yarram, Victoria), Matthew Longbottom (BSR), Harrison Elbrow (Willaston), Tyson Brazel (Prince Alfred OC)
GOING -- Jarred Allmond (Woodville-West Torrens), Mitch Clisby (retired/Westminster OC), Tom Schwarz (retired/Flinders Park), Lewis Hender (retired/Keith), Alex Barns (retired/Morphettville Park), Tanner Smith (retired), Billy Hartung (Victoria), James Craig (retired/Westminster OC), Robbie Young (Tailem Bend), Elliot Chalmers (Myponga/Sellicks FC), James Willis (Geelong), Harvey Harrison (Collingwood), Hugh Jackson (Port Adelaide), Kaine Mercovich (Port Fairy), Mason Neagle (St Peters OC), Jayden Davison (Kilburn)
STURT
One of the most consistent presences in SANFL finals over the past eight years, missing the finals in two of those years being 2015 and 2020. They missed finals action by two premiership points, the Panthers just keeping themselves out of reach in the last three rounds. They gave the Eagles a fright in Round 18, that match was the one that got away and probably the difference maker between their sixth placed finish and unseating the Panthers from their spot. The Blues will likely be relying on their young guns for a great deal of their new look line-up, with some outgoing players leaving a bit of a void. Most notable of the departures of course was dual premiership hero Zane Kirkwood, as well as Mark Evans, Jake Sutcliffe and Matt Crocker. Their incoming list is small, with the return of Malachy Curruthers from Sydney, James Matthews comes in from Adelaide's SANFL side, and from country Victoria comes Josh Rentsch from TAC Cup outfit GWV Rebels.
COMING -- James Mathews (Adelaide SANFL), Malachy Carruthers (returned/Sydney Swans), Daniel Schoell (Onkaparinga Valley), Josh Rentsch (Greater Western Victoria Rebels), Sam Breuer (Horsham Saints)
GOING -- Zane Kirkwood (retired/Tanunda), Mark Evans (retired/Pembroke OC), Matt Crocker (retired), Jake Sutcliffe (St Peter’s OC), Josh Patullo (Victoria), Charlie Parker (Western Bulldogs), Jordan Houlahan (work/Mt Barker), Malachy Lines (Mount Barker), Sam Smith (Glenunga), Joel Parker-Boers (Hahndorf), Morgan Ferres (Gold Coast VFL)
PORT ADELAIDE
The Magpies finished seventh, leaving their best footy in the first half of the season. Their best vein of form came during Round 5 to 8, where they smacked the Eagles by 10 goals to start said run. That was followed by four straight losses and won four of their last seven games. Perhaps the Eagles should have thanked Port for exposing some flaws, it was the Magpies' six-goal final round win against the Tigers that probably helped de-rail their flag hunt. As is the case with an AFL club and their seconds, there's going to be some ins and outs that will affect the Magpies. Whether good or bad will be anyone's guess. While Tom Rockliff has retired, Hamish Harlett returns to the Bloods and Jarrod Lienert gets his AFL life-line with St. Kilda, a sizeable contingent of SANFL experienced players are moving in. Sam Skinner was drafted by the Power, while Trent Dumont comes in from the Kangaroos. Probably the most surprising recruitment is Anthony Wilson, the 2014 premiership player for the Redlegs against the Magpies. He left Norwood after 2020 to play for Payneham Norwood Union in the Adelaide Footy League, but answered the call from Alberton.
COMING -- Trent Dumont (North Melbourne), Sam Skinner (South Adelaide), Josh Sinn (Sandringham Dragons), Dante Visentini (Sandringham Dragons), Jase Burgoyne (Woodville-West Torrens), Hugh Jackson (North Adelaide), Anthony Wilson (Payneham), Jackson Lee (Woodville-West Torrens), Nick Moore (Woodville-West Torrens), Brayden Kirk (Crystal Brook/North Adelaide)
GOING -- Hamish Hartlett (delisted/West Adelaide), Boyd Woodcock (delisted/Southport Sharks), Joel Garner (delisted), Peter Ladhams (Sydney Swans), Jarrod Lienert (delisted/St Kilda), Tom Rockliff (retired)
ADELAIDE
The Crows reserves side would finish eighth at the end of 2021, finishing well off the pace in contrast the Blues and the Magpies who were four games clear. They won five games and lost 13, their one highlight was perhaps their defeat of the Magpies in Round 16. They did push the Tigers hard in Round 13 in perhaps one of their strongest showings for the season, but still went down by 15 points. Perhaps not totally done with SANFL football just yet, the Crows managed to land former Central District player Isaya McKenzie after he left the Bulldogs for Willaston last season. He'll be reunited with Jacob Templeton who also crosses over from the Ponderosa, then there's former Eagle Louis Sharrad who comes in from Port District. On their way to other SANFL clubs for more league exposure are James Matthews to the Blues and Ollie Davis to South Adelaide.
COMING -- Nathan Freeman (Frankston VFL), Josh Rachele (Shepparton/Murray Bushrangers), Jake Soligo (Eastern Ranges), Zac Taylor (Calder Cannons), Luke Nankervis (Sandringham Dragons), Louis Sharrad (Port District/Woodville-West Torrens), Isaya McKenzie (Willaston/Central District), Jacob Templeton (Central District), Josh Smithson (North Haven/West Adelaide)
GOING -- James Mathews (Sturt), Ollie Davis (South Adelaide), Ben Davis (delisted), Tom Lynch (delisted), Jake Kelly (Essendon), David Mackay (retired), Ronin O’Connor (delisted), Daniel Talia (retired)
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Another disappointing season for the Bulldogs, finishing second-last for yet another year. They finished 2021 with barely a whimper. Ironically in the shortened season of 2020, they faced the Eagles in the final round of the year and beat them by four points. The Eagles went on the win the flag. In the final outing for last year, the Eagles smashed the hapless Bulldogs by over 17 goals and again went on to win the flag. Not the way first year senior coach Paul Thomas would have wanted to finish off the season. Whether it was club culture, decision making behind the scenes or something in the Powerade, there would be a mass exodus from Goodman Road at season's end. Not including Leek Aleer, whose abilities and all-out enthusiasm saw him picked up by GWS. Others retired, went to country footy or defected to other SANFL teams. The aforementioned departures of McLean and Graham to The Parade, Templeton to the Crows and Grubb to North Adelaide are just a few. There is however, another group of country footballers looking to make a mark though, a couple of interstate players and the return of Aaron Nietschke from Melbourne.
COMING -- Aaron Nietschke (returned/Melbourne), George Kendall (Mangoplah Cookardinia-United Eastlake), Zac Buechner (Clarence), Bailey Reeves (Gold Coast Academy), Billy McCormack (Frankston), Blake Launer (Eudunda-Robertstown/Adelaide SANFL), Dustin Launer (Woodville-West Torrens), Jamie Jones (Nightcliff), Patrick Hillard (Blackwood), Lachlan Arnold (South Gawler)
GOING -- Leek Aleer (Greater Western Sydney), Nick Gillard (retired), Brendan Dew (Barossa District), Brett Kennedy (Gawler Central), Connor Mclean (Norwood), Tom Graham (Norwood), Jacob Templeton (Adelaide SANFL), Jonathan Marsh (Coburg), Lachlan Grubb (North Adelaide), David Haydon (retired), Dylan Morton (PHOS Camden), Corey Di Stefano (Golden Grove), Jordan O’Brien (Salisbury North), Wyatt Patterson (Golden Grove)
WEST ADELAIDE
Ah yes, the seemingly perennial also-rans and wooden spooners of the competition. Another last placed finish was the Bloods' fate for '21, as it was in 2020 and 2019. That breakthrough premiership of 2015 seems so far away now, the story of Westies' life almost seeing that most of their flags must have felt like breakthrough years. They had just two wins for the year, happening over two consecutive weeks in Round 4 against Norwood by three goals and then against Centrals by four goals. They wouldn't taste victory again. There was further embarrassment to come however, in Round 16 at home to the Blues they were kept to six behinds and lost by 76 points. Not a single goal kicked. I've probably said this more that a few times in these threads, but surely the only way is up, right? They'd better this time around, no one wants to celebrate 130 years with yet another spoon. The losses of Kaine Stevens, Josh Schiller and Elliot Dunkin will hurt, but with the return of favourite son and former Port Adelaide player Hamish Hartlett and a mixed group of SANFL defectors and ex-VFL and country arrivals, perhaps this milestone year could at the very least bring them back up from the depths.
COMING -- Hamish Hartlett (Port Adelaide), Kaiden Brand (Sydney Swans), Josh Carmichael (Merbein), Liam Delahunty (Port Melbourne), Michael Mattingly (Kyabram), Clayton Gay (Dandenong Stingrays), Blair Rubock (Labrador), Riley Corbett (Canberra Demons), Callum Park (Glenelg), Darren Walters (Williamstown), Jackson Edwards (Glenelg)
GOING -- Kaine Stevens (retired), Patrick Levicki (retired/Pembroke OS), Tom Murphy (Frankston), Mitch Duval (Woodville-West Torrens), Kieran Lovell (Tasmania), Nathan Batley (retired/Kadina), Josh Schiller (retired/Edwardstown), Elliot Dunkin (South Adelaide), Aaron Anderson (retired/Edwardstown), Angus Rana (Goodwood Saints), Kyle Kirk (Goodwood Saints), Hamish Gordon (Lucindale)
AFL COVID-19 TOP UPS
Thanks to the ongoing issues brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, AFL clubs will have to -- if they haven't already -- sideline players because of close contact rules, quarantining and in some cases, having to deal with players that have not gotten vaccinated. To deal with this, AFL clubs in their respective states have to expand their pool of players, albeit in most cases temporarily. For the Crows and the Power, that means having a list of four players from their four aligned clubs to choose from should the need arise. These top-ups will not be part of their reserves teams and will return to their SANFL club if not selected for the senior side. Already on Adelaide's list are Isaya McKenzie, Jay Boyle, Matt Wright and Nathan Freeman. For Port, they have Trent Burgoyne, Matt Lobbe, Luke Surman and Cam Sutcliffe. The lists from the other clubs are down below.
ADELAIDE TOP-UP LIST
Glenelg -- Luke Partington, Corey Lyons, Sam Durdin, Matthew Allen
Central District -- Justin Hoskin, Kyle Presbury, Travis Schiller, Billy McCormack
Sturt -- Malachy Carruthers, Daniel Fahey-Sparks, Tom Lewis, Casey Voss
North Adelaide -- Alex Spina, Campbell Combe, Harrison Wigg, Aaron Young
PORT ADELAIDE TOP-UP LIST
South Adelaide -- Keegan Brooksby, Oscar Clavarino, Ryan Garthwaite, Bryce Gibbs
West Adelaide -- Kaiden Brand, Hamish Hartlett, Tom Keough, Josh Ryan
Norwood -- Declan Hamilton, Ben Jarvis, Jay Rantall, Jacob Kennerley
Woodville-West Torrens -- Daniel Menzel, Troy Menzel, Dylan Clarke, Connor Ballenden
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
The 2022 SANFL Season begins this coming Friday night with a twilight mini-Showdown between the Crows and the Magpies at Adelaide Oval, a curtain raiser to the main event Showdown. That leaves the rest of the games across different timeslots of Saturday to shine with the first starting at 2:10 at Noarlunga between the Panthers and the Bulldogs for the Mayor's Cup, ending with the Bloods playing the Double Blues under lights at Richmond. As part of the 130 year celebrations, Westies will run out in a heritage strip. The Eagles will be dipping their feet into the twilight and night football market with their brand new light towers at Woodville, starting with their Round 1 game against North at 4pm. At the moment there are seven night games and four twilight matches scheduled, most of the season is still marked TBA so there could be many more in the pipeline. One of those night games is the first game to decide the holder of the Williams-Gallagher Trophy between Norwood and Port in Round 3. The Anzac Day traditional Grand Final rematch will be at Oval Avenue in Round 4 on the Holiday Monday between the Eagles and the Tigers. North Adelaide will also be going retro this season, celebrating 100 years at Prospect Oval in Round 6 with their own throwback jumper. Clubs will see out byes across Rounds 9 to 11 thus replacing the split rounds of old, and the right to retain the Haydn Bunton Junior Trophy will be fought out between South Australia and Western Australia in Perth on Sunday May 15, depending on WA's COVID policies of course.
Touching on the aforementioned fact of most of the season being TBA, that holds true for some games during the period of Round 7 to 11. All but a few games from here onwards have not had actual days and kick-off times fully locked in. Of course more info can be found in the coming weeks at the SANFL website. Single games over most weeks will be covered by Channel Seven and watchable interstate on the 7Plus streaming service.
So the wait is almost over folks, throw the gear in the wash and dust off the flags! Here's what's happening in Round 1.
Friday April 1 @ 4:10pm
Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide; Adelaide Oval
Saturday April 2
South Adelaide vs. Central District; Flinders University Stadium, Noarlunga @ 2:10pm
Glenelg vs. Norwood; ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg @ 3:10pm
Woodville-West Torrens vs. North Adelaide; Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville @ 4:10pm
West Adelaide vs. Sturt; Hisense Stadium, Richmond @ 7:40pm
So until next weekend... see you at the Footy!
