Every local SA footy player movement during the 2022-23 offseason

Former SANFL stars and local guns highlight the latest player moves this local SA footy offseason. See every big move across the state throughout the past week.

Welcome to ‘New Recruits’ – a weekly wrap of all the major player transfers in local SA footy.

Each week of the offseason The Messenger will wrap up the big movements across the state, including all country and suburban competitions.

We have seen some significant changes already, with former AFL and SANFL guns and local champions changing scenery for season 2023.

Here are all the movements from the past week.

ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE

George Thring (Keith to Pembroke OS)

Jake Johansen (South Cairns to Salisbury North)

Mitch Duval (Unley Mercedes Jets)

Ethan Miller (Henley to Unley Mercedes Jets)

Sam Williams (Lucindale to PHOS Camden)

Jake Grieger (Waikerie to Hope Valley)

James Edwards (Hope Valley)

Jacobus Hendricks (Brahma Lodge)

Dylan Gaylard (Woodville South to Portland)

Brothers and former North Adelaide players Max (left) and George Thring who both played at Goodwood in 2020 have again joined forces, this time at Pembroke OS. Picture: Keryn Stevens

George Thring headlines the Adelaide Footy League moves this week, the former North Adelaide midfielder and KNTFL Mail Medallist leaving Keith to rejoin his brother Max in the Adelaide Footy League.

Former Woodville-West Torrens U18s player Jake Johansen has returned to Adelaide after a stint in Cairns and will prove to be a big boost to Salisbury North in division three, while Mitch Duval joins Unley in the same division after spending three years with West Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens.

BAROSSA, LIGHT & GAWLER FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Donald Wills, Joel Holloway (Willaston)

Willaston has picked up two players in the past week to kick-off its offseason recruitment plans after what was a disappointing 2022 campaign for the club.

The Donnybrooks, led by new Port Noarlunga coach Andrew Jarman, made a 2021 grand final but finished third bottom last season and would be looking to add to their A Grade playing group significantly.

GREAT SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Jye Bottroff (South Adelaide to Goolwa/Port Elliot)

Brett Heintze (Gaza to Goolwa/Port Elliot)

Mason Middleton (Barmera Monash to Encounter Bay)

West Adelaide premiership forward Mason Middleton has joined Encounter Bay for season 2023. Picture: Encounter Bay Football Club

Multiple guns have moved to the GSFL this week, with talented backman Jye Bottroff returning to Goolwa/Port Elliot after time in South Adelaide’s system, while four-time Gaza best and fairest Heintze also makes his way to the Magpies.

West Adelaide premiership player Mason Middleton has left Barmera Monash in the Riverland FL to join Encounter Bay, a big pickup which will add to the Eagles’ target forward troops in a major way.

HILLS FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Cooper Nykamp (Hahndorf to Uraidla Districts)

Connor Milde (Mount Lofty to Onkaparinga Valley)

Sam Davis (Bute to Blackwood)

Josh Vandermeer (Ironbank Cherry Gardens to Echunga)

Jake Ross (Merrigum to Echunga)

Lachlan Cerritos, Ben Dodson, Connor White (Macclesfield)

Cooper Gladigu, James Inwood, Jake Wellman, Dylan Rowe (Torrens Valley)

Hannes Smit (South Gawler to Nairne Bremer)

Former Hahndorf gun Cooper Nykamp (left) will don the Uraidla Districts guernsey in season 2022. Picture: Mark Brake

Three star forwards headline the Hills FL movements for the week.

Cooper Nykamp – who had 43 goals last season – has left Hahndorf for Uraidla Districts and should provide a strong option up front with Demons star Dean Terlich.

Mount Lofty gun Connor Milde – who booted 47 majors in 2022 – has left his long-time club to join Onkaparinga Valley in a big move, while goal machine Josh Vandermeer joins Echunga after kicking 97 goals for Ironbank Cherry Gardens last season.

Country Victoria standout Jake Ross has also joined Echunga after 126 games, a premiership and a club be4st and fairest as captain of Merrigum last season.

KOWREE NARACOORTE TATIARA FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Mitch Minns (Unley Mercedes Jets to Padthaway)

Mitch Minns has left Unley Mercedes Jets after another solid year in the middle. Picture: Dean Martin

Midfielder Mitch Minns has departed Unley for Padthaway after a number of successful years in the Adelaide Footy League.

He kicked six goals in 11 division two appearances last season and could prove to be an important signing as the Lions look to improve on their seventh spot 2022 finish.

MID SOUTH EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Tyler Virgo (Kangarilla to Nangwarry)

Christian Howlett (Dartmoor to Port MacDonnell)

Christian Howlett (right) will add significantly to Port MacDonnell's forwardline. Picture: Port MacDonnell Football Club

Christian Howlett joins Port MacDonnell to headline the MSEFL moves, the gun forward aiming to continue his hot run of impressive seasons at his new club.

A dangerous medium forward who can also pinch-hit in the middle, Howlett has kicked nearly 300 goals throughout his past six seasons of football.

NORTH EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Jake Birchmore (Mallala to RSMU Hawks)

Alex Radak, Tom Hammond (Murrayville to North Clare)

Jhye McConnell (Elizabeth to South Clare)

Former Mallala captain Jake Birchmore has joined RSMU Hawks. Picture: Mallala Football Club

Gun ruckman Radak is headed to North Clare along with Murrayville teammate Tom Hammond, while former Mallala premiership player and captain Jake Birchmore will join RSMU.

Birchmore was named at centre half back in the Adelaide Plains FL team of the year this year.

SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Matt Coulthard (Port Noarlunga to Happy Valley)

Sam Bentley (McLaren to Aldinga)

Josiah Sheppard (Christies Beach to Aldinga)

Gun defender Josiah Sheppard (left) has returned to Aldinga after five years at Christies Beach. Picture: Aldinga Football Club

Standout Christies Beach defender has returned to Aldinga after five years at the Saints and should prove to be a strong signing for the Sharks.

Sheppard fills a need for his new club as it looks to improve its defensive resources.

He is coming off of a strong year, having tallied six best player appearances in 12 games.

WHYALLA FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Joel Howard-Bristow, Cody Kerseten, Kyle Ward, Reece Marks (Central Whyalla to South Whyalla)

Four players have left 2022 premiership club Central Whyalla to join bottom side South Whyalla ahead of the 2023 premiership season.

Howard-Bristow, Kerseten, Ward and Marks had been in and out of the Central Whyalla side but will push for consistent selection at their new club as it aims to improve in a disappointing 2022.