Former Port Adelaide, South Adelaide star Matthew Broadbent signs with Henley Sharks ahead of Adelaide Footy League season 2024

A Port Adelaide 100-gamer and South Adelaide star has rejoined his hometown club ahead of season 2024 as he looks to achieve senior premiership success alongside his brother.

An AFL 100-gamer and former SANFL star has joined his brother at his hometown club as he aims for senior premiership success in season 2024.

Port Adelaide 171-gamer Matthew Broadbent has signed with Adelaide Footy League division three club Henley after retiring from South Adelaide in the SANFL, joining brother Tim Broadbent ahead of the 2024 season.

The star midfield/defence utility, who left Port Adelaide in 2019, recently retired from South Adelaide and SANFL footy after four years with the Panthers and said he immediately knew what his next chapter would be.

“I think leaving the SANFL was probably a bit of a long time coming and I knew for a while this year was going to be my last,” Broadbent said.

“It was an amazing four years at South Adelaide and I leave with a beautiful family and a lot of great mates but I didn’t have the greatest year with my body and knew I probably had to move on.

“My decision to join Henley happened really quickly – the club is obviously where I grew up playing and it all felt pretty right.”

Matthew Broadbent has joined Henley for Adelaide Footy League season 2024. Picture: Julian Smith

Broadbent will play alongside star brother Tim at the Sharks next season, ticking off one of the top goals on his bucket list.

Broadbent’s father Michael has also been a long-time player and servant of the club and is a life member.

“We’ve had a bit of a longstanding history at the club as a family and all of us being involved together at a senior level is something we’ve talked about for a number of years,” he said.

“It has been a bit of a lifelong dream to play senior footy with my brother and I’m just excited to get immersed in the club again and get to know all the players and everyone else.”

The 2023 season proved to be one of the most challenging for Henley in recent years, the Sharks suffering relegation to division three and parting ways with coach Luke McCracken at the end of the campaign.

Broadbent said he was eager to taste premiership success after falling short at the Power and Panthers. Picture: David Mariuz

Broadbent said he was excited to help the club back to where it needed to be and eager to work with what was a young list.

“Now being in division three, I’m really excited by the challenge of building back up to being in division one.

“We know it’s going to be a length and challenging process but I’m really sold on the young group the club has together at the moment, which is really eager to learn and improve, and we’re obviously in the market for a coach who can lead us as well.

“I absolutely want to have a major input on and off the field but I understand I’m only a small part of what we’re trying to build and it’s going to take a lot more than just myself.”

While Broadbent knew the road to success would be long and challenging for the Sharks next season, he said he was as hungry as ever to get to experience a September run with his local club.

“The last flag I ever won was in the juniors at Henley so I’m 100 per cent still chasing that senior flag and would love to come full circle with Henley,” he said.

“Right now though I’m just looking forward to getting involved and getting back into the culture of the club.”