Adelaide Footy League 2021 season previews for divisions one to seven
67 clubs, 18 rounds and seven flags up for grabs. The Adelaide Footy League is back and this is your ultimate guide for every team in season 2021.
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There are big name recruits, fascinating subplots and rivals set to battle once again as the Adelaide Footy League makes its return this Saturday.
With 67 clubs, 18 rounds and seven flags up for grabs, the competition is hot.
We’ve taken a look at how each of the seven divisions are shaping up for season 2021.
INS AND OUTS: EVERY ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE MOVE
DIVISION ONE
GOODWOOD SAINTS
Last season: Premier
Coach: Luke Donaldson
Goodwood Saints premiership coach Luke Donaldson has warned his club will continue to rise as it attempts to defend its fairytale 2020 flag.
Not only will Goodwood Oval be a better place to be this year with the full use of its new multimillion-dollar clubrooms, Donaldson told The Messenger the Saints were better positioned coming into this season than the last.
“The way we’re approaching it is that we probably got that one ahead of time,” Donaldson said.
“We probably had a bit more of a three to five year build towards our next one and what it showed us is we were probably closer than we thought.
“There’s been a tremendous drive from the playing group since I’ve arrived to get better, stronger and fitter.
“So I think we’re a lot better prepared and fitter than we were last year.”
Goodwood started the shortened 2020 season with three straight losses but then went undefeated to storm home and win the premiership.
Despite some key player losses, Donaldson believed Goodwood had found quality replacements.
Although he expected the competition would again be tough.
“The footy will step up from last year,” he said.
“I think it’s pretty clear that other clubs that were contending … a lot of those sides have improved on paper.
“The biggest challenge for most clubs will be getting through an 18-game season when we had such a short, sharp one last year.”
ROSTREVOR OLD COLLEGIANS
Last season: Runner-up
Coach: Will O’Malley
It is often labelled as one of the most experienced and settled teams in the competition but there is one tag Rostrevor Old Collegians would desperately like to shake.
After two grand final defeats in three seasons the boys in black and red are due for some success and likely sick of being bridesmaids.
However it was an admirable effort from ROC in 2020, making its way through from the elimination final to the decider.
ROC playing coach Will O’Malley said a fast start was crucial this season to secure a top-three berth for finals.
“Having to play every final probably didn’t help us … history shows the last 10 or so years you need to be top two or top three to win it,” O’Malley said.
“That’s really the goal this year – to start well, be consistent and give ourselves the best chance to get there.”
The retirements of important forwards Michael Coad and Paul Fantasia will force ROC to make some changes.
But O’Malley was confident his side’s experience and time playing together would hold it in good stead.
ST PETER’S OLD COLLEGIANS
Last season: Preliminary finalist
Coach: Geoff Riddle
Expect a different and more less predictable St Peter’s Old Collegians this season as last year’s minor premier seeks to make amends for its straight sets finals exit.
“We’ve tweaked a couple of things and tried to reinvent ourselves,” coach Geoff Riddle told The Messenger.
“I feel we’ve become a bit too predictable over the last couple of years and clubs have maybe worked us out.
“It might take a while to adapt to that new style but we definitely think we’ve got the plan and the talent to progress further than we have before.”
SPOC went 7-2 in the minor rounds before falling to eventual grand finalists Goodwood and Rostrevor Old Collegians in back-to-back weeks.
Riddle said the taxing, COVID-affected season and disappointing finish required the team and coaching staff to give themselves a needed break over summer.
“We returned back to pre-season later than we normally would have, given obviously the season was so taxing physically and mentally,” he said.
“So we didn’t start pre-season until January.”
Star midfielder Jesse O’Brien has taken over the captaincy from the departing Harry Hayward.
PRINCE ALFRED OLD COLLEGIANS
Last season: Semi-finalist
Coach: Craig Pitt
Prince Alfred Old Collegians playing coach Craig Pitt says the club enters the new season wanting to take care of unfinished business as it strives to contend once again.
The Old Reds came into last year tipped as one of the main chances but bowed out in a semi-final loss to Rostrevor.
Pitt said his side would look to build on what it started.
“There’s a bit of unfinished business about it I guess you could say,” Pitt said.
“It’s never nice to drop out of the finals and it does hurt a bit.
“So we do have some motivation to push further this year.”
Pitt said a more offensive focus this season should give his team a different element after conceding the second fewest points in the minor rounds last year.
He also flagged the Old Reds should benefit from having 2020 recruits Jack Trengove, Bryce Woolard and Cam Giles more readily available after each of their campaigns were restricted by injury.
BRIGHTON BOMBERS
Last season: Elimination finalist
Coach: Brett Backwell
A new coach, a new home and a new outlook has plenty of excitement pouring out of Brighton Road ahead of the season.
It follows a maiden top flight finals appearance in 2020 where the Bombers won their first five games of the season and led the ladder for four consecutive rounds.
Prince Alfred Old Collegians premiership coach Brett Backwell takes the reins from the long-serving Joel Tucker and has wasted little time implementing his gamestyle.
To top it off, a $13m overhaul of the Brighton Oval complex – which includes cricket, rugby and lacrosse – was completed late last year.
Backwell said, while his side may take time to adapt to the changes, they were not shying away from declaring their goal is to go all the way.
“Do we want to win straight away? Absolutely,” Backwell said.
“But you still need to be realistic that it’s going to take time for even your best players to adapt to playing a new system.
“Guys are going to play roles that they probably haven’t played before.
“I think it’s going to take time for guys to understand the way I want them to play and the expectations we’ll put on them.”
Backwell resisted the urge to make wholesale changes after taking over and will take a familiar looking squad into the campaign.
PORT DISTRICT
Last season: 6th
Coach: Simon Maddern
A sense of revenge will be hard to ignore for Port District when it welcomes Prince Alfred Old Collegians to Largs Reserve in round one.
The Magpies were on the cusp of a return to finals football in fifth place on the ladder when they went into the last round of 2020, only to fall to the Old Reds by 38 points.
PAOC held its place in the top five, District did not.
But Port has been boosted by some key inclusions, namely the returning Trent Heffernan, while Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Louis Sharrad has been a late inclusion and is named for round one.
It was announced on Wednesday night that big bodied onballer Sharrad was one of three Eagles to leave the club.
Port coach Simon Maddern said breaking the cycle of back-to-back sixth-placed finishes was front of mind.
“We were in the five for most of the year and it came down to that last game where we were either going to finish third or sixth,” Maddern said.
“In the end we finished sixth and underachieved.
“That one has been sitting there for us all summer I suppose, so we’re looking forward to it (facing PAOC round one).”
PAYNEHAM NORWOOD UNION
Last season: 7th
Coach: Jace Bode
Payneham Norwood Union playing coach Jace Bode says his side is well-positioned for a finals assault thanks to two key additions and a significance fitness boost.
The Falcons fell out of the top five last year in Bode’s first campaign in charge after a drought-breaking flag in 2019.
A lot of talk in league circles during the off-season centred on the Falcons’ acquisition of Redlegs ruckman Sam Baulderstone and speedster Anthony Wilson.
“Bringing those two in will certainly add to some areas where we needed to improve,” Bode said.
“We’ve got a fantastic midfield but now to have a dominant ruckman, and also bringing the fastest man in the SANFL into our league, is hopefully going to pay dividends for us.”
Bode said he also expected big seasons from trimmed down big man Nick Jolly, dangerous small forward Strato Agorastas, young recruit Alex Scali and classy midfielder Kristian Roocke.
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY
Last season: 8th
Coach: Ben Watkins
There is a long drought hanging over the heads of those at University Oval.
It has been 15 years since the proud and historic Blacks last featured in the finals at division one level – a second-placed finish the last time they cracked the top five.
In fact, since its return to the top flight in 2013, Uni has finished between sixth and eighth on the ladder every season.
“That’s my aim and our goal overall is to make finals first off all,” said Blacks coach Ben Watkins, who enters his second season in charge of the club’s top side.
“I’ve got a really young squad but really happy, we’ve had a fantastic pre-season.
“We’ve bashed them up fitness wise because we don’t have the big names that the others have got but we’ve just got to play our way.”
A club far from renowned for breaking the bank to fund recruits, the Blacks have invested stock in its recruits from within the past two seasons.
Uni faces a tough test first up as it travels to take on St Peter’s Old Collegians at Caterer Oval.
UNLEY MERCEDES
Last season: 9th
Coach: Adam Jeffries
Unley Mercedes coach Adam Jeffries believes his new club will have the potential to surprise some teams this season as it sets itself for a rebuilding year on and off the field.
A significant player turnover provides Jeffries with a challenge in his first season in charge.
As will the redevelopment of the Jets’ building, which has forced the club to use makeshift changerooms for at least the first half of the season.
But the former Goodwood Saints coach believed the opposition may underestimate his side, which could play to its advantage.
“We know where we are at but we think we’ll surprise a few teams this year,” Jeffries said.
“I think sides will underestimate us a little bit.
“I have a pretty distinct style of how I like my teams to play – very structured, very organised.
“We’ve been working a lot on keeping the opposition from moving the ball and working on our own ball use. So we’ll be competitive.”
Jeffries said the addition of former Adelaide Crows great Scott Thompson as midfield coach had significantly boosted the team’s engine room.
“Having Thommo there, while we might not have the talent of some other sides, our organisation around the stoppages has been second to none so far,” he said.
“I think that’s going to be one of our strengths this year.”
TEA TREE GULLY
Last season: Premiers (division two)
Coach: Justin Maschotta
When the opportunity to return to division one came last season Tea Tree Gully had no hesitation of grabbing it with both hands, according to coach Justin Maschotta.
The 2018 top flight premiers’ stint in division two lasted just one season after winning the flag and being offered promotion, due to Athelstone deciding to go down.
Maschotta, in his fifth campaign in charge of the Wolves, said the club was itching to get stuck back into the top tier.
“There were rumours most of last season that Athelstone might choose to go back to division two and there could be a club fortunate to go up.
“We grabbed that opportunity straight away.
“It’s always going to be a challenge at this level but I believe in my players and believe in my system.
“If we can keep the list together, which I am confident should be able to do … we believe our window is starting to open.”
Expect the likes of Chad Schoenmakers, Peter Persinos and Blake Penney to lead the way for the Wolves once again.
DIVISION TWO
The fight to reach the top flight is once again set to begin in the entertaining and often unpredictable division two.
One of the clubs leading the charge is likely to be western powerhouse Henley, who will be under the watchful eye of new coach Vinnie Rugolo.
“We’re pretty clear on that as a footy club, the objective is definitely to get back to division one footy,” Rugolo said.
“Jarrad Parker, the previous coach, really developed the young guys over the past couple of years and we’ve gone from an experienced group to a younger one.
“It’s exciting and I feel there’s some real improvement there.”
The Sharks finished second on the ladder last year, only behind Tea Tree Gully on percentage, but crashed out to Sacred Heart Old Collegians in the preliminary final.
Defeated grand finalist SHOC meanwhile appear set for a refresh.
Almost 10 players who featured in the A grade last season have sought clearances away from the club.
SHOC coach Steve Kay said there was a great amount of opportunity at the club coming into 2021.
“It’s a bit of a new page for us,” Kay said.
“I think its really exciting for us as a club, having a new dynamic, and it will be terrific to see how this young club comes together.”
Glenunga finished bottom of the division with a 0-9 win-loss record last year but secured an off-season coup with the signing of Sturt coach Nathan Grima.
The 88-game AFL defender was confident there would be improvement at Webb Oval.
“Andy Read stepped in as playing coach last and, while he didn’t get the results, you can’t not acknowledge the job he did playing so many kids,” Grima said.
“They debuted 15-20 players last year and that’s only going to benefit us going forward.”
The Rams have secured key forward Tom Langford from Unley Mercedes and Grima said another spearhead – three-time Ken Farmer Medallist Michael Wundke – would be available more often this season.
Old Ignatians made the finals last year and strong showings in pre-season trial matches have created a buzz around coach Damian Boots’ side.
Iggies take on Henley in round one – a match-up which could give an indication of where both sides sit.
Fellow 2020 finalists Broadview will expect to be around the mark once again with Nathan Grainger at the helm.
As will PHOS Camden and Seaton Ramblers, which both missed the five last year on percentage.
Athelstone, which elected to come down from division one after a tough winless campaign, should show improvement.
Scotch Old Collegians and Salisbury North, eighth and ninth on the ladder, will be hoping a fresh start will keep them clear of the bottom places.
DIVISION THREE
It is not often – outside of division one – the premier from the year before remains in the same division.
But for 2020 flag winners Golden Grove it is the reality as the Kookaburras enter as contenders once again in the third tier.
The club has gone from strength to strength in recent years and will be eyeing a promotion to division two.
After a rare nine-team competition in 2020, division three once again has a full complement with the return of Portland.
The Thunder made the call to withdraw from the competition following the initial COVID shutdown citing a failure to retain enough players to field two senior sides.
But they are back with A and B grade teams and a new coach – former Adelaide University mentor Craig Smith.
The addition of Woodville-West Torrens premiership midfielder Scott Lewis at Gaza will undoubtedly give the Eagles a much-needed boost following a sixth-placed finish in 2020.
North Haven, Modbury, Edwardstown and Flinders Park all made the finals last season – the latter losing in the decider – and will have a benchmark of making the top five once again.
Westminster Old Scholars, CBC Old Collegians and Plympton will be the clubs threatening to take their spots.
DIVISION FOUR
All eyes will be on Morphettville Park to begin the season in division four following the addition of former Geelong and Glenelg forward Cory Gregson.
The Roos finished last season fifth under former coach Tony McGuinness, before the side lost an elimination final to Walkerville.
McGuinness has been replaced for this season by Steve Nolis.
The Cats stormed home from the elimination final to win the whole thing and should once again be a contender.
As will Pembroke Old Scholars, which went undefeated in the minor rounds last season but failed to make it count at the business end with a straight sets finals exit.
Hope Valley was the surprise packet of last season, making the grand final upon promotion from the fifth tier, while Mitcham were the big improvers.
Expect both to be having a say when the whips are cracking in September.
SMOSH West Lakes meanwhile were highly touted coming into the campaign but would have been disappointed with a sixth-placed finish.
Gepps Cross, Woodville South, Pulteney and Kilburn make up the division.
DIVISION FIVE
The fifth tier can comfortably lay claim to being the division which has experienced the most change going into 2021.
Following a year where promotion and relegation was frozen, except for those willing to drop down, division five will feature a nine-team competition and a promoted side, while two others have dropped out.
Hectorville, division six premiers in 2020, have been promoted after Rosewater elected to go down.
Unfortunately Smithfield withdrew from the competition last month but have vowed to return in 2022.
Standing in every side’s way is Lockleys, dominant premiers a year ago who defeated Kenilworth by a point in the grand final.
Eastern Park, Fitzroy and West Croydon found themselves in the bottom half of the ladder and will look for improvement.
Colonel Light Gardens, Salisbury and Pooraka round out the competition.
DIVISION SIX
Division seven premiers in 2019 and sixth tier grand finalists in 2020 – all signs are pointing towards an upward trend for St Paul’s Old Scholars.
One of the league’s youngest clubs, the Saints made waves with their performances last season and have rightfully been touted as a serious contender once again.
They should face competition from Blackfriars Old Scholars with the Hounds building nicely off the back of a second-placed ladder finish.
Marion could be one of the big movers thanks to a terrific addition.
Former St Kilda and Glenelg player Terry Milera, who played for Noarlunga the past two seasons, has put in a clearance to the Rams.
It is difficult to predict where Rosewater lands however, after dropping down from the division above.
Ingle Farm, Mawson Lakes, Para Hills, Elizabeth and Trinity Old Scholars will also fight it out in the sixth tier.
DIVISION SEVEN
All of the talk in division seven has been about the Adelaide Footy League’s newest club – Hackham.
The Hawks had their application to join the competition and leave the Southern Football League accepted late last year.
Where they will fall among division seven is anyone’s guess.
Another team to join the ranks is Greenacres, which elected to spend 2020 on the sidelines in the COVID affected season.
Houghton Districts spent last year in division six but have come back to the seventh tier.
Flinders University has some handy recruits and should cause more than a few teams headaches across the season and you can expect reigning premiers Brahma Lodge to be there at the business once again.
Adelaide Lutheran, Mitchell Park, Central United and O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale round out the division.
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