Every SANFL team graded its on ins, outs and off-season recruiting performance
More than 160 players have arrived at or departed from SANFL clubs since North Adelaide stormed to a flag in September. But which club has recruited the best during the off-season?
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More than 160 players have arrived at or departed from SANFL clubs since North Adelaide stormed to a flag in September.
In the thick of the off-season action, an Adelaide-based player agent told Messenger Community News SANFL clubs’ professionalism when it came to signing talent had grown out of sight in recent years.
So it is no surprise 13 players have joined the league directly from AFL lists – more than double the number of the previous off-season.
But which of the eight non-AFL clubs have strengthened the most since the end of the 2018 campaign?
Messenger Community News reporter Patrick Keam has graded each SANFL club’s recruiting performance.
THE FULL LIST: EVERY SANFL CLUB’S INS AND OUTS
CENTRAL DISTRICT: B
Luring talent north of Grand Junction Rd has been a struggle for Central District since the halcyon days of the 2000s – so the Dogs have been forced to get creative.
This year is no exception and the club has done well to plug holes.
Troy Menzel is the big hit needed, while the three Neagle brothers appear to have plenty of upside and are a classic example of the Dogs’ ability to find a diamond in the rough.
Darcy Fort is the biggest departure and replacing him with three untried ruckmen in Jonathan Marsh, Tim Auckland and Damon Robinson remains Central’s biggest question mark.
Darcy Pisani won the Redlegs’ reserves best and fairest last season, cracking into a strong league side just once, and could shine with more opportunity at Elizabeth.
GLENELG: A-
The Bays finished the 2018 season with a flurry, winning their final six matches, and that momentum has carried through the off-season.
Glenelg’s haul of two AFL talents in Cory Gregson and Luke Partington, plus the returns of quality pillars at either end in Liam McBean and Brad Agnew give it one of the better grades.
Partington will make an instant impact in the middle but it is Gregson who carries the most mystery.
The delisted Geelong small forward missed the most of last season after having surgery to insert a screw into his navicular bone to deal with a stress fracture.
If the 22-year-old is able to get on the park for a full season, this A- grade may appear foolish because Gregson has undeniable talent.
NORTH ADELAIDE: C-
North’s ability to defend its premiership will be tested in 2019 because a list of significant departures has not been sufficiently replaced with arrivals.
Jake Neade is a good acquisition and will likely fill the role vacated by Robbie Young, but from there the list is thin.
Ben Jarman, while a decent pick-up, is still likely a season or two off becoming an consistent senior footballer.
Jordon Sweet was a revelation in the ruck during the second half of 2018.
The Roosters will be hoping NSW rugby union convert Jack Blair can also surprise a few.
Campbell Combe and Henry Trenorden are coming off strong seasons with local clubs but the jury is still out whether they can be SANFL regulars.
The Roosters make it through with a pass.
NORWOOD: C+
For the first off-season in recent memory Norwood has not stolen the limelight when it comes to recruiting.
That is not to say the Redlegs have been sitting on their hands.
It is a solid list of ins for last season’s runners-up, adding to an already strong squad with plenty of top-end talent.
Norwood’s No.1 off-season focus was finding more run through the middle of the ground and delisted Port speedster Dom Barry was ideal to fill that void.
Josh Donohue returns and is an two-time premiership player who, at 30, will make an impact at SANFL level as a handy replacement for Simon Phillips.
With a long list of outs containing some experienced heads and a number of fringe league players, depth could be a challenge for Norwood for the first year in a while.
SOUTH ADELAIDE: B+
The Panthers boast one of the biggest grounds in the SANFL at Noarlunga Oval and expect the wings to get some good use this season.
Malcolm Karpany and Emmanuel Irra will suit up as South’s top recruits for 2019 and both have speed to burn, blending nicely with a strong group of inside midfielders.
The Panthers did well to snare Karpany away from his junior club, Woodville-West Torrens, and the delisted West Coast Eagle could also provide value in the forward line.
Of all the ruck talent available to a list of several SANFL clubs, South have attracted arguably the best ready-made big man in Michael Knoll.
He will have big shoes to fill after co-captain Keegan Brooksby left for West Coast.
There is excitement surrounding young Victorian forward Hayden McLean and the 19-year-old slots in as a nice replacement for Nathan Kreuger.
The Panthers have a recent history of success with forwards from across the border.
STURT: D
Sturt boasts one of the stronger lists in the league but, given depth has been an issue, the quantity of recruits this off-season has left a lot to be desired for Double Blues fans.
If he has his best 21 available, new coach Nathan Grima’s side will be capable of beating anyone on there day.
But a few key injuries could derail Sturt’s chances.
Danyle Pearce is a quality recruit and his outside run will complement the Double Blues’ trio of inside bulls, Zane Kirkwood, Aidan Riley and James Battersby.
Footscray recruit Josh Patullo, 21, will likely be expected to play a key forward role.
He will also assist young big man Tom Read in the ruck as the Double Blues fill the hole left by retiring two-time premiership player Jack Osborn.
Shane McAdam, drafted to the Adelaide Crows, is the club’s other major departure.
WEST ADELAIDE: A
The Bloods receive the best grade of any club with good reason.
Midfield stars Chris Schmidt and Will Snelling return to the club, Dallas Willsmore arriving straight off Hawthorn’s list as a rangy wingman looms as a great piece of business and Patrick Levicki will play a key role in defence.
Add to that Werribee tall Jade Cleeland, plus some added depth, and West’s list suddenly looks strong.
Some quality left the club through the draft – Chris Burgess and Izak Rankine – plus retirements of stalwarts Aaron Fielke, Daniel Webb, Jason Porplyzia and Shannon Green.
But in their second year under coach Gavin Colville the Bloods should be a stronger side overall and will look to build upon 2018’s tally of eight wins.
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS: A-
The Eagles’ engine room is not going to be a worry for new Woodville-West Torrens coach Sam Lonergan in 2019.
The first-year mentor will boast one of the league’s strongest on-ball brigades after the acquisitions of Jimmy Toumpas, Jesse Lonergan and Jordan Foote.
All three come directly from AFL lists and are prolific ball-winners.
The Eagles just fall short of a straight A due to not adding more outside run, an area where they have been exposed on occasion in recent seasons.
All-in-all a good period for the club with one of the deepest playing lists in the competition.
patrick.keam@news.com.au