Ex-Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent has inked a deal with South Adelaide
Ex-Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent has signed with a SANFL club after the Power delisted him last month.
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Former Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent has signed with South Adelaide as the Panthers continue their off-season recruiting blitz.
The Power axed Broadbent, who was once a key member of the their back six, last month after 11 seasons with the club.
Broadbent shunned a move back to his junior club Woodville-West Torrens, which was also understood to be courting the backman, and instead put pen to paper with South on Thursday.
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The 29-year-old, who played 171 AFL games and booted 52 goals, battled serious foot and ankle injuries in the past three seasons, missing the Power’s 2018 campaign.
He successfully negotiated a return to AFL against the Crows in Showdown 46 on May 11 after 647 days on the sidelines.
But after featuring in four consecutive games, Broadbent took a month off to focus on his mental health and wellbeing.
He then spent two weeks in the SANFL before lining up with the Power again in their round 18 loss to Richmond and played the remaining five games of the season.
The Henley Sharks junior said he chose South Adelaide because he was keen to work with Panthers coach Jarrad Wright.
The pair spent time together at the Sharks and also at Woodville-West Torrens.
“It was a pretty tough decision for me, but an important one and one I’m really excited about,” Broadbent said.
“The chance to work with Jarrad Wright, who I’ve got a good relationship with, and as well as the exciting list helped me make the decision.
“(I’m) really excited to get stuck into it.”
Panthers chief executive Neill Sharpe told The Advertiser Broadbent was looking forward to a fresh start and the club was pleased to secure him for the 2020 SANFL season.
“We are positive about adding Matt to the group,” Sharpe said.
“He’s in a pretty good place and he’s looking forward to probably starting again in many ways with work and football and what he can add to our footy club.
“He’s quite excited about the future.
“We’ve obviously had some holes to fill with retirements and departures at the end of the year.
“To bring in a player of Matt’s experience to our footy club is a significant result.”
Sharpe expected Broadbent to add flexibility to the side and believed he would play not only as a defender but also in the midfield and up-forward.
“Apart from being a very good player, he offers a bit of leadership as well, having been in the AFL system for that long,” Sharpe said.
Broadbent’s signature follows that of ruckman Keegan Brooksby who was announced as one of the Panthers’ new recruits on Wednesday.
Brooksby starred for South in 2018 before joining West Coast at the end of last year as a pre-season supplemental selection.
But the Eagles delisted the 29-year-old last month.
“It’s a bit of a boost for the group,” Sharpe said.
“It’s always a bit of a roller coaster this time of year.
“To have a number of players locked in before the AFL draft, I can’t recall that happening in my time, so it is a very positive feeling.”