Fast-developing Broadview sets up big Adelaide Footy League season with Jared Petrenko signing

The new coach of a former Adelaide Footy League division one powerhouse says his young group is ready for a premiership push bolstered by three key signings.

After finishing sixth in division two of the Adelaide Footy League last year, Broadview has continued its pre-season push with the signing of former Adelaide Crow Jared Petrenko.

The club showed its intent early in the off-season by recruiting former SANFL champions Nick Liddle and Xavier Gotch and Petrenko, who last year won a Hills flag with Hahndorf, will add to the Tigers’ skill and experience.

New coach Matt Burgess said adding the three major signings to a talented team of youngsters had set Broadview up for success.

Former Crow Jared Petrenko has signed with Broadview for the 2022 season after winning a premiership with Hahndorf. Picture: Sarah Reed

“We’ve got a really young group with a core age of around 20 to 23 and the club has worked hard to bring some talented youngsters through,” Burgess said.

“Seeing them grow and develop is something we’re excited about, and adding the experience of our signings is going to bring us a lot of flexibility on the field and also give the young guys a chance to learn under the best.

“We’ve been really lucky to lock down Gotch, Liddle and now Jared (Petrenko). They’ll be a wealth of knowledge and experience and will help us go far.”

Will Scadden takes a huge mark for the Tigers against Scotch OC. He will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best this season. Picture: Matt Oborn

Burgess, who played for Broadview in division one in 2006 and ’07, has been invigorated by the passion and determination of the club in pre-season.

He said everyone involved was driven to make the club strong again and lift the Tigers back up to division one.

“We all want to get back to where we belong, which is division one. Around the time I played we were one of the longest-standing division one clubs in history, so I’m determined to take the club back there and looking forward to the challenge,” Burgess said.

Broadview has also established new rooms (concept above) as part of its plan to again become a top-echelon club. Picture: Supplied

“We’ve had everyone out on the track since before Christmas, so we’re getting great numbers and everyone’s buying in to what we want to do.”

Burgess said there would be no biases in who he selects to play and admitted it might take some time for players to gel.

“Everyone’s back to square one with a new coach coming in and I’ve been pretty strong on, if you put in the effort and show some good form you can play A grade. Everyone’s putting their best foot forward,” he said.

“It’s a bit of a project at the moment and the older guys will need to mesh with the younger players but everyone’s been really receptive and wants to learn, so I think we can go as far as we want if we continue to work.”