Adelaide Footy League division one season previews 2019: ins, outs and coaches comments
The Adelaide Footy League’s division one clubs are lining up to take the flag with the 2018 premiers wounded. Season previews and all the ins and outs for Adelaide’s top local footy competition.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Wolves are wounded and the pack is circling to seize their Adelaide Footy League title.
Tea Tree Gully will enter season 2019 of division one this Saturday without 10 of the 22 players who took it to its first division one crown last September.
Perennial contender Goodwood Saints, grand finalist Rostrevor Old Collegians, the dangerous Payneham Norwood Union and resurgent Prince Alfred Old Collegians are some of the sides set to swoop.
SEASON PREVIEWS: DIVISION TWO | DIVISIONS THREE TO SEVEN
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY
Last season: Seventh
Coach: Craig Smith
Adelaide University will hope to bring the momentum from last season’s strong finish into a new campaign to break a 12-year top flight finals drought.
The Blacks have not cracked into the division one top five since 2006 and have finished between sixth and eighth on the ladder every year since re-entering the top tier in 2013.
Uni finished seventh for the fourth-straight season in 2018 but ended the campaign with a relegation-saving win over Henley and a 48-point defeat of Goodwood in the final round.
It was the first time the Blacks had beaten the Saints since 2006 – a 4389-day drought.
Coach Craig Smith said Uni’s best was good enough to compete with any side in the division.
“We expect to play finals but everyone is probably saying that at this time of year,” Smith said.
“Last season we didn’t play our best footy often enough.
“We probably need to kick more goals as well, our inability to kick big scores hurt us on a few occasions.”
Smith hoped to use the long kick of Charlie Parker to take advantage of the new kick out rules this season.
Uni suffered a significant blow after best and fairest Todd Pfeiffer left due to non-football reasons but have brought in youth.
Pembroke School’s first XVIII captain Eddie Sims and teammate Harry Edmonds have joined, along with Hamish Wallace between Sturt commitments.
Smith also hoped to have Adelaide Crows development-listed brothers Mitchell and Ryan Marini available throughout the year.
BRIGHTON
Last season: Runner-up (division two)
Coach: Joel Tucker
Brighton coach Joel Tucker is not putting a lid on his side’s expectations after two successive promotions since entering the Adelaide Footy League in 2017.
The Bombers are one of the competition’s newest clubs but have risen from division three to division one in the blink of an eye and are readied themselves to take on the top sides.
“I think we’re pretty aware it will be a big step up, we’re up with the big boys now,” Tucker said before this week’s round one clash away to Goodwood Saints.
“It (division one) happened maybe a year or two earlier than we thought it would
“But we’ve steeled ourselves for the challenge and we’re ready to meet it.”
The Bombers have maintained their strong division two squad and added some key recruits.
They include former SA country captain Tarquin Brown (Kaniva Leeor United), ruckman Patrick Gabb (Peake) and utility Tom Welsby (Port Magpies reserves).
Tucker said the Brighton squad was young but reaching a handy age point to go to another level.
“There’s a number of guys about 23 or 24 years old who have played 50-odd games and are ready to take that next step now,” he said.
“We’ve been pretty consistent with retaining players the past few seasons.
“Other sides don’t know too much about us, our players, the way we play and we hope to keep it like that until we meet them.”
The Bombers will be hoping to keep their home ground a fortress, having lost just two games at Brighton Oval the past two seasons.
GOODWOOD SAINTS
Last season: Fourth
Coach: Adam Jeffries
Goodwood Saints coach Adam Jeffries has declared the eight-time top flight premiers “won’t be the old, slow, Goodwood team anymore.”
The Saints are coming off a disappointing straight-sets finals exit after finishing third on the ladder last season.
Jeffries was bullish his side could not only make the five this year but win finals.
“We feel like our list has improved a little bit from last season,” said Jeffries, who guided Goodwood to third last season before a straight-sets finals exit.
“Last year we were quite strong defensively but we’re going to have more forward focus.
“The aim this year is to finish in the five and, hopefully, win a final.
“We’re probably going to be a speedier and more attacking side – we won’t be the old, slow Goodwood team anymore.”
Former Essendon rookie Luke Lavender headlines Goodwood’s recruits.
The developing ruckman chose to step away from the Bombers last month.
“Luke’s a Goodwood junior and it’s great to have him back,” Jeffries said.
“He’s still a developing footballer so we’re not expecting him to come in and dominate the competition, but it’s certainly an exciting bit of recruitment.
“Hopefully he’ll play more of a forward role.”
Premiership players Jacob Hughes and Ben Holzbauer return to the Saints and are joined by recruits Tom Edwards (Padthaway) and Kayne Cornish (Colonel Light Gardens).
Forwards Jack Whaley (Victoria) and Anthony Skara (Unley Mercedes) headline the departures.
HENLEY
Last season: Eighth
Coach: Jarrad Parker
The old guard is gone from Henley and a new school of Sharks are set to take the mantle.
Coach Jarrad Parker said a number of experienced campaigners had departed but a late inclusions of youth into the squad had him optimistic for the season.
The Sharks will be looking to consolidate their position in division one after avoiding relegation last season on return to the top flight.
Parker said former Port Adelaide forward Brett Ebert would not be playing “at this stage due to work and family commitments” and veteran Jeremy Johncock’s body was not “up to the rigours of div one so he’s gone for a run at Ironbank”.
“We had quite a few older boys finish up at the end of last year so we’re going into the year with a really young side,” Parker said.
“Michael Gautesen, Cody Hicks and Sam Davoren have all hit the other side of 30 and have kids and other commitments they’ve taken on.
“They’re some guys who have been around for a while and Henley has leant on a bit for a few years, just decided they’ll step back a bit.”
Parker thought the Sharks might be a bit shallow following the developments, before some late recruiting.
“Particularly in the last six to eight weeks we’ve had a number of new boys come into the side.” he said.
“We played a trial game against Athelstone last Friday night and some of those young boys who we’re hoping might take the step up showed some signs.
“We’ve also got a few boys who played in the B-grade premiership-winning side last year.”
“There’s a bit of optimism.”
Youngsters Jackson Smith and Cody Smith (Glenelg) have joined, along with ex-Henley juniors Harry Sibley (Woodville-West Torrens), Angus Coxon (Port Adelaide) and Lochie Barreau (Port Adelaide/PHOS Camden).
Former Shark Nathan Bowles has returned after spending the past two seasons with Kaniva Leeor United in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League.
PAYNEHAM NORWOOD UNION
Last season: Third
Coach: Garry McIntosh
Payneham Norwood Union coach Garry McIntosh says his side is better positioned than this time last year, despite a handful of departures.
The Norwood legend believed getting off to a quick start would be key in a division he predicted to be even tighter than last season.
The Falcons have made the finals every year since returning to the top tier in 2015 but have done it on the back of sluggish openings to their campaigns.
Last year, PNU started 0-3 but responded to finish with an 11-7 record, before falling to Rostrevor in the preliminary final.
“We started 0-3 last year and it’s a long way back when you’re playing catch up,” McIntosh said.
“That (starting better) is a big focus this year.
“It had a lot to do with being underdone, guys having interrupted pre-seasons – that makes a big difference.
“I think we’re in a better place with that this year than last year, on the back of the players doing the work.”
Anthony Giannini is the key inclusion to will play alongside his brother, Jonathan, and will join a swath of former Redlegs at Payneham Oval.
McIntosh hoped Woody Drummond, Ryan North and Will Angelberger (Port Magpies reserves) would be at the club full-time this season.
Norwood premiership forward Josh Donohue has returned to the Redlegs, while Jay Hansen (Flinders Park), Oliver Pride (Mitcham), Rudi Tsouvallas, Patrick Shrestha (Colonel Light Gardens) also leave.
Pierce Seymour has signed on the Crows development list but will still feature for the Falcons when not selected.
PRINCE ALFRED OC
Last season: Sixth
Coach: Brett Backwell
Prince Alfred Old Collegians is armed and ready to return to the division one finals after an unexpected absence in 2018.
The Reds, premiers in 2016 and semi-finalists in 2017, missed the five last season after an up-and-down campaign.
They have secured former Glenelg vice-captain Craig Pitt and his brother, Jake, as well as Lewis Crawford, fresh off winning a flag with Robe in the Mid South Eastern Football League.
Former Power-listed player and Reds 2016 premiership star Wade Thompson returns to the club, while Ben O’Donohue joins from Broughton-Mundoora in the state’s north.
Prince Alfred will be tested from the very beginning, facing a tough twilight fixture away against Rostrevor Old Collegians in round one.
But the Reds have an ace up their sleeve for the clash – former ROC coach Adrian Rocco has joined the club as assistant coach and opposition analyst.
PORT DISTRICT
Last season: Fifth
Coach: Simon Maddern
Port District coach Simon Maddern says the Magpies must take care of the lesser teams, as well as beating the top sides, to improve on last season.
Wins over leading clubs Rostrevor, Tea Tree Gully and Prince Alfred played a significant part in Port featuring in the finals in 2018.
But defeats to teams lower on the ladder stopped the Magpies from reaching the top three. Port lost to Payneham Norwood Union by six points to crash out in the elimination final.
“That’s definitely a focus coming into this season – consistency,” Maddern said.
“We managed to get ourselves up for some of the big games, like Rostrevor, Tea Tree Gully and Prince Alfred, but then dropped games to teams below us.
“We need to make sure we’re up for it week in, week out.
“It was a combination of the mental side of things but also being down personnel in those games.
“The belief is strong in the group, we feel like we can beat anyone.
“And we’ve been able to keep the majority of our team, which is always a positive.”
Maddern expected Port Magpies-listed Tom Corcoran to be available more often this season.
Port has also added Sean Davidson (Glenelg) and Tyson Francis (Woodville-West Torrens), while Matthew Weistra has returned after a year away with United in the Adelaide Plains Football League.
The Magpies take on Adelaide University away to begin their campaign.
ROSTREVOR OC
Last season: Runner-up
Coach: Will O’Malley
A new home and a first-year coach signify change at Rostrevor Old Collegians in 2019 but the side that lost last season’s grand final to Tea Tree Gully has stuck together.
ROC will kick off the campaign under player/coach Will O’Malley in a highly-anticipated twilight fixture against Prince Alfred at the recently redeveloped Campbelltown Memorial Oval.
O’Malley, the club’s captain since 2013, was appointed after premiership coach Adrian Rocco was told his contract would not be renewed for 2019 after last season’s grand final loss.
O’Malley said ROC would be more settled this season after training away and playing all home games at Thebarton Oval last year.
“Returning home will make a huge difference, not just for games but trainings,” O’Malley said.
“We’ll have a brand new set up and morale is really high.”
The club has kept almost all of the side which led it to 14 wins and grand final appearance, losing just one A-grader, Nathan Surman (Athelstone).
O’Malley hoped star on-baller Craig Holm would make a return from a knee injury mid-season.
Holm tore his ACL in the state game last year and required surgery but then partially tore the ligament in the same knee in February.
While he doesn’t require surgery for a second time, Holm will miss a chunk of the season.
Douglas Hadden, who managed just six games for ROC last year in between Crows development squad commitments, will play full-time at the club.
O’Malley highlighted youngsters Lewis McKenzie and Ferghus Kernahan to make an impact in the seniors after getting a taste of A-grade football in 2018.
ST PETER’S OC
Last season: Premiers (D2)
Coach: Geoff Riddle
It is not often a club earns promotion from division two to the top tier and is spoken about as immediate contenders.
St Peter’s Old Collegians return to the top flight after an undefeated season en route to the flag in 2018.
The Saints have maintained the bulk of its dominant division two squad and have already been mentioned as premiership challengers by several rival coaches.
There has been a change at the top however, as Geoff Riddle takes over from title-winning coach Chris Hall, who has moved interstate.
Riddle said his first impression of the playing group was it was not content with just winning the division two flag.
“The biggest thing I noticed is they are hungry for success ... it’s probably the main reason I took the job,” said Riddle, an assistant to Marty Mattner in Sturt’s back-to-back 2016-17 SANFL flags.
“Div one is going to be bloody tough, we know that, but there’s no reason we can’t challenge for finals.
“In 2017 (when the club was relegated) they probably didn’t quite have the cattle. Now they do, they’ve won a flag in division two and the players want more.”
Forward Luke Trenorden (country) and brother Henry (North Adelaide) are SPOC’s two significant departures.
Sturt reserves premiership player James Moriarty and Onkaparinga Valley utility Zak Hausler come in.
Saints old scholars Charlie Gibson, Hamish Gitsham and Will Cameron also join the club.
SPOC’s biggest off-season moves were resigning premiership players including division two medallist Jesse O’Brien, forwards James and Jock McLeay, fellow big man Luke Mitchell and high-flying defender Toby Schulz.
TEA TREE GULLY
Last season: Premiers
Coach: Justin Maschotta
Tea Tree Gully coach Justin Maschotta expected his young side to be inconsistent but backed in the club’s established game plan and “structure”.
The Wolves will enter the new this Saturday without 10 of the 22 players that took them to their first division one crown last September.
Captain Alex McKay (Queensland), star Troy Menzel (Central District) and forward Trent Melville (NT Thunder) are among the high-profile players to leave.
“Obviously, we’ve lost a few players which everyone is aware of,” Maschotta said.
“I think we’ve debut about 19 guys in the last two years.
“We’re going to see what we’re made of.
“There’s probably about 10 guys in the side with 0-10 games of senior footy under their belt.
“I expect us to be inconsistent but we’re really vibrant and positive about the season ahead.”
Key players Blake Penney and Peter Persinos remained and Maschotta challenged the likes of Jack Astbury and brothers Dylan and Chad Schoenmakers to step up this season.
“We could have gone out and tried to recruit to replace those guys but I don’t believe in the sustainability of that,” Maschotta said.
“It’s not guaranteed that they will buy in.
“We’re under no illusions of what we are up against.
“But sides that have a strong system and stick to that system will win those battles.”
patrick.keam@news.com.au
Adelaide Crows premiership legend signs with country footy battlers
A battling SA country footy club has secured a huge coup by signing a former Adelaide Crows premiership champion.
‘We’ve got to’: Contentious $41m sports centre hits new milestone
A plan to build a controversial $41m sports centre has taken a huge step forward, with the local council seeking to change planning rules to allow it.