Adelaide Footy League powerhouse Goodwood Saints make three additions, reveal 2022 premiership strategy

An Adelaide Footy League division one power has signed two SANFL players and an experienced half-forward as it reveals plans for its next premiership run.

An Adelaide Footy League division one juggernaut has put plans in place for a 2022 premiership run after signing two SANFL players and an experienced half-forward.

After winning the flag in 2020, the Goodwood Saints experienced a “complex” end to the 2021 season – finishing just outside the top two and falling to Payneham Norwood Union in a shortened finals series.

Football director Daniel Norton said the club identified areas of need in its loss to PNU, which led to the recent acquisition of West Adelaide forward and former Goodwood junior Angus Rana, West Adelaide midfielder Kyle Kirk and Westminster Old Scholars half-forward Blake Read.

Supplied by Goodwood FC

“Obviously it was quite a complex end to the season where we could’ve finished second but ended up third and lost a knockout prelim,” Norton said.

“We identified some areas for improvement against PNU in order to do some really specific recruiting.

“They out-marked us a lot upfront so we needed that tall forward role filled and we also figured we’d like some more toughness inside and outside.

“Rana can definitely give us that presence we need upfront and can play ruck with a lot of athleticism, Kirk is a versatile on-baller who can win his own footy and also move to the outside, and Blake Read – whose cousin Callum also plays at the club, is a half-forward with a really nice left foot.”

Goodwood Saints footy director Daniel Norton pictured with son and Goodwood junior Harrison. Norton believes the system of youth and community culture at the Saints has them primed for another premiership season. Picture: Dean Martin

While the club has now recruited multiple players, it plans to continue its development of youth for first team footy.

This is something Norton says will be a key factor in the culture and success of the club in the near future.

“If you’re bringing youth through a really strong, sustainable program they’re already aligned with the culture of the club, which is really important to us as a community-focused club with a certain set of values,” he said.

“Our B Grade and C Grade both won premierships this year and we’ve got seven to eight guys aged around 20 to 23 in our senior squad who are going to be great for us.

Adelaide Footy League captains Lochie Charlton (PAC), Jon Giannini (PNU), Jesse O'Brien (SPOC) and Lou Whitlelock (Goodwood Saints) with the division one premiership shield before last season’s finals. Whitlock’s Saints fell short against PNU and are looking to bounce back next year. Picture: Mark Brake

“We’re in a really good position to attack the season because of this and our pick-ups, and we expect to go really deep and challenge for a premiership.”

Former West Adelaide forward utility Angus Rana, who played league and reserves games for the Bloods this year, said he was excited to get back to his original club.

“I thought this year was the best time to step away from the commitment of the SANFL which has become a little bit too much with work and university and I was always going back to Goodwood which is a club that has always been home,” Rana said.

“I’m keen to meet all the boys and play as a forward dominant ruckman, or whatever role coach Luke Donaldson wants from me, and hopefully help the team win a flag – there’s nothing more important than that.”