All the ins and outs for 2020 in division two of the Adelaide Footy League
A former Western Bulldog, one of the SANFL’s greatest goalkickers in the last decade and several local stars are among the off-season changes in division two of the Adelaide Footy League.
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The fight to reach the top flight of the Adelaide Footy League is always intriguing and division two is no different in 2020.
With a resumption of local footy in SA appearing more likely, Messenger local footy reporter Patrick Keam has compiled and analysed all the player movement in the second tier.
The big arrivals include a former Western Bulldog, one of the SANFL’s greatest goalkickers in the last decade and several local stars.
BROADVIEW
Last season: 7th
Coach: Nathan Grainger
Broadview will look to put a difficult 2019 on and off the field behind it this season and has bolstered its list to help the cause.
And the series of signings would make much better reading for those at the Tigers after a string of key departures the previous off-season.
The Tigers have brought in Victor Harbor gun Ben Yeomans, who finished in the top 10 of the Great Southern Mail Medal count last season and should add extra quality.
Yeomans previously played two seasons for Loxton where he was named in the best players in 24 of 25 matches.
Patrick Fittock, runner-up in the 2018 club best and fairest, will be missed and is joined on the out list by youngster Josef Rack.
Ins: Ben Yeomans (Victor Harbor), Mason Armfield (Northern Areas FL), Floyd Fulwood (Northern Territory FL), Matthew Kemp (Jervois), Jed Hennessy (Walkerville), James Mapstone (Gaza), Fraser McCormack (Northern Territory FL), Oliver Tucker (Whyalla), David Ward (Yorke Peninsula FL)
Outs: Patrick Fittock (Yankalilla), Josef Rack (Kilburn)
GLENUNGA
Last season: Premier (division three)
Coach: Andy Read
Many eyes in division two this season will be firmly fixed on Glenunga after its stunning rise up three divisions in as many years.
Triple Ken Farmer Medallist Michael Wundke is a star signing but will only be available for the Rams when his coaching commitments with Sturt permit.
However his brother Sam Wundke is a significant loss, joining the Double Blues for another crack at the SANFL.
Glenunga has also been stung by several players returning to their former clubs.
Midfielder Tom Bielby will play against the Rams this year after switching back to Tea Tree Gully, the club he helped win the division one flag in 2018.
Steven Pollock booted 57 goals for Glenunga last season but will line up for junior club Gumeracha in the HFL while Aaron Manning goes home to Bamera for its 100-year celebrations, but the Rams expect he will return in 2021.
They are also hopeful of Luke Bowman spending just one season back at Orroroo.
Ins: Michael Wundke (Kaniva), Will Montgomery (St Peter’s Old Collegians)
Outs: Sam Wundke (Sturt), Steven Pollock (Gumeracha), Tom Bielby (Tea Tree Gully), Aaron Manning (Barmera), Brant Ellis (retired), Luke Bowman (Orroroo)
HENLEY
Last season: 10th (division one)
Coach: Jarrad Parker
For the second time in four seasons, western powerhouse Henley will play in division two.
The changes at the Sharks are limited, but significant, headlined by the departure of captain Ned Heath.
Best and fairest winner Lachlan Ryan chose to stay in division one with Goodwood Saints while Jake Hyland left to play country footy on the Yorke Peninsula.
Henley coach Jarrad Parker said skipper Heath went with the clubs blessing to play with Barossa Valley side Nuriootpa.
“I had a really good relationship with Ned and we sat down and were really honest about things,” Parker said.
“Lachy … he had a real desire to keep playing div one footy.
“So that was disappointing for us, only one year at the club and he’s joined some mates at Goodwood.
“Jake Hyland went to the country as well but again I had a good chat with Jake.
“There’s always an open door for those players to come back, if they wish.
“Losing two key forwards was the thing that really hurt us there.
“But to an extent I think we’ve filled that gap.”
Brothers Josh and Ethan Miller join from Norwood and Woodville-West Torrens, bringing plenty of height and SANFL reserves experience.
Ins: Josh Miller (Norwood), Ethan Miller (Woodville-West Torrens), Tim Broadbent (returned)
Outs: Ned Heath (Nuriootpa), Jake Hyland (Yorke Peninsula FL), Lachlan Ryan (Goodwood Saints)
OLD IGNATIANS
Coach: Damian Boots
Last season: Runner-up (division three)
Old Ignatians needed just one season in the third tier to bounce straight back up to division two under coach Damian Boots.
Wholesale changes have not been made upon promotion, as Iggies back in their youth and depth to cope with the step up.
Old scholar Peter D’Antochia has joined after several seasons with division one club Payneham Norwood Union along with Sturt youngster William Britten-Jones.
“Our playing stocks haven’t deteriorated, in fact we’ve augmented them, I think,” Boots said.
“We’re pretty pumped to get into division two and have a real good go.”
Iggies stalwart Patrick Connelly has retired and is joined on the outer by Nicholas Penta.
Both played in Iggies’ grand final defeat to Glenunga last season.
Boots said Angus Crowley will not play in 2020 due to an injury picked up last year.
Ins: Peter D’Antiochia (Payneham Norwood Union), William Britten-Jones (Sturt), Nicholas Adams, Matthew Griffin, Nathanael Swan (St Ignatius College)
Outs: Patrick Connelly (retired), Nicholas Penta (Tailem Bend), Angus Crowley (injury)
PHOS CAMDEN
Last season: Elimination finalist
Coach: Ryan Willits
A series of arrivals has PHOS Camden well poised to improve under new playing coach Ryan Willits, following an elimination final exit last season.
Former West Adelaide ruckman Willits, who replaced long-time Phantoms coach Simon Quinn, joined the Novar Gardens club in October and will continue to pull on the boots.
Ex-Sturt and Glenelg forward Dylan Gamble returns in a strong boost for the club.
Gamble played just two games for Hills Football League club Mount Lofty in 2019 and was most notably part of the Double Blues’ run to the 2016 SANFL flag.
He last played for the Phantoms in 2015.
Ex-North Adelaide and Norwood forward Tom Langford has departed for Unley Mercedes after one season at Camden Oval.
Ins: Ryan Willits (Jervois), Dylan Gamble (Mount Lofty/returned), Steven Clay (Port District), Mitchell Goldner (Henley), Adam Dorward (Murrayville), Mitchell Parker (Murrayville), William Thomas (Murrayville), Josh Teakle (Lucindale), Sam Teakle (Lucindale), Nick Westhoff (Tailem Bend)
Outs: Thomas Langford (Unley Mercedes), Ryan Reavley (Kingston), Thomas Finn (Bridgewater Callington)
SACRED HEART OLD COLLEGIANS
Last season: Preliminary finalist
Coach: Steve Kay
While many other amateur and country clubs loudly spruiked their signings in the off-season, Sacred Heart Old Collegians quietly went about securing the services of former Western Bulldogs and Glenelg halfback Christian Howard.
The 29-year-old Sacred Heart old scholar, who made 20 AFL appearances in four seasons, joined the club from nearby Morphettville Park.
However several players have left and coach Steve Kay said SHOC’s depth would be tested.
They include full back and leadership group member Ned Brooks along with key midfielders Christian Vince, Michael Teal and Michell Parr.
Last season’s division two leading goalkicker Tristan Carcuro will try his hand at Woodville-West Torrens under coach Jade Sheedy, whose Athelstone side knocked SHOC out of the finals in 2019.
“That’s a pretty significant group for us to cover … but feel we can cover them,” Kay said.
“It challenges out depth a bit. We’re still really positive about this season.”
Midfielder Taylor Angel returns to the club and is joined by country recruits Lachlan Hartshorne and Jordan Kenny.
Ins: Christian Howard (Morphettville Park), Taylor Angel (Lameroo/returned), Lachlan Hartshorne (Victor Habor), Jordan Kenny (Mallala)
Outs: Tristan Carcuro (Woodville-West Torrens), Ned Brooks (work), Christian Vince (Noarlunga), Mitchell Parr (injury), Michael Teal (work), Tyler Kelly (Yorke Peninsula FL), Lachlan Mill (Northern Areas FL)
SALISBURY NORTH
Last season: Semi-finalist
Coach: Joe Hay
Salisbury North coach Joe Hay believes his 2020 squad is stronger than the one which made a semi-final appearance last season.
However, the Hawks have been hit by the departures of A-graders Paul Dreimann, Matthew Sharpe and Nick Pape, who packed their bags for South Gawler to play under former Salisbury North coach Gavin Chaplin.
Hay said the addition of former Port Adelaide Magpies and Gawler Central midfielder Daniel Stanley, who crosses from Virginia, Portland’s Aaron Christmann, North Haven’s Chris Knapp and several role players had the Hawks in good stead.
“I actually think we’ve strengthened the squad from the season before,” Hay said.
“We did lose two key players and another A grade player, all to South Gawler.
“They were three guys that have played at the club for at least seven or eight years.
“It’s something we’re always competing with in our location when you’ve got the Barossa and Adelaide Plains leagues close by.
“We’re not a high-paying club so we don’t try and compete with clubs on the money front.
“But we’ve brought in a few experienced guys and some other players who are zero-pointers.
“And doesn’t count as an in but Anthony Morgante is a player who missed all of last season through injury and he’s a guy who is in our best three or four players – he’s a star.”
Ins: Daniel Stanley (Virginia), Aaron Christmann (Portland), Chris Knapp (North Haven), Lachlan Shirley, Jordan Shirley (Kilburn), Timothy Hines (Trinity OS), Isiah Glancey (Angle Vale), Ben Taylor (Elizabeth)
Outs: Paul Dreimann (South Gawler), Matthew Sharpe (South Gawler), Nick Pape (South Gawler)
SCOTCH OLD COLLEGIANS
Last season: 8th
Coach: Kym Cobb
Best and fairest winner Jy Farrar’s stunning rise from the amateurs to the AFL was a fantastic upshot for Scotch Old Collegians last year, but also leaves the club without one of its top talents for 2020.
The athletic utility was selected by the Gold Coast Suns in November’s rookie draft on the back of two SANFL appearances for the Crows and a pair of successful seasons at Scotch.
Fellow Halls Creek product Ash Johnson also departs for Sturt.
On the other side of the coin, the return of 2018 division three premiership skipper Lachy Giles cannot be understated and expect the centre half-back to make a big impact.
Scotch has also added a swath of youngsters expected to feature in the A grade this season.
Ins: Lachy Giles (returned), Josh Heading (Padthaway), Tom Caesar (returned), Charlie Morgan (returned), Emerson Oxlade (Glenelg) Cooper de Zylva, Sam Fuss, Hudson Laycock, Tom Swart, Daniel King, Lachie Francis (Scotch College)
Outs: Jy Farrar (Gold Coast Suns), Ash Johnson (Sturt), Harry Jolly (Southern Eagles)
SEATON RAMBLERS
Last season: 6th
Coach: Paul Marshall
Seaton Ramblers have made minimal change to the 2019 line-up which came close to reaching the finals upon promotion from division three.
Former Rambler Daniel Polec – brother of North Melbourne midfielder Jared Polec – returns to the club from Pulteney while Tommy-Lee Russo, who has SANFL reserves experience with Port Adelaide, also joins.
Lleyton Hedges, Matthew Johncock, Kym Sumner and Josh Turner all played A-grade football for the Ramblers last season but have departed.
Ins: Daniel Polec (Pulteney/returned), Tommy-Lee Russo (Waikerie)
Outs: Lleyton Hedges (Western Districts), Matthew Johncock (Mallee Park), Kym Sumner (Murrayville), Josh Turner (Port District)
TEA TREE GULLY
Last season: 9th (division one)
Coach: Justin Maschotta
Tea Tree Gully will drop into division two a rejuvenated outfit with the return of three premiership heroes.
The Wolves’ demotion on the back of 2018’s top flight triumph means they slot quickly into flag calculations with a squad capable of being there at the pointy end.
Gun forward Trent Melville’s return in a playing assistant coach role from Darwin – where he spent 2019 with NEAFL side NT Thunder and NTFL outfit Nightcliff – is a coup for the club.
Ryan Spittle and Tom Bielby are also back after a year away.
Former Norwood youngster Isaac Hewson and Adrossan’s Tyson Breden are handy ins, both Tea Tree Gully juniors.
Shaun McWaters was the only departure from the senior side, heading back to the Yorke Peninsula Football League to play for his home club Southern Eagles.
Ins: Trent Melville (NT Thunder/returned), Isaac Hewson (Kingston), Ryan Spittle (returned), Tom Bielby (Glenunga/returned), Tyson Breden (Adrossan)
Outs: Shaun McWaters (Southern Eagles)