Glenunga signs Adelaide Uni brothers Mitch and Ryan Marini for season 2025

A rising Adelaide Footy League D1 power will look to bounce back from a second consecutive grand final loss after recruiting a number of big local names including a former Crow for season 2025.

A division one Adelaide Footy League club has made a number of key signings including a former Crow for season 2025 after losing a second consecutive grand final.

Glenunga, led by new coach Alex Guy, has recruited Cormac Dwyer (St Peter’s OC), Ethan Smith (Broadview), Eli Redman (Glenelg), Mitch Marini and Ryan Marini (Adelaide Uni) among others as it attempts to retool ahead of this coming season.

Mitch Marini, who played 12 SANFL League games for Adelaide in 2021, had been a dominant force for the Blacks midfield alongside brother Ryan and had Guy excited for his side’s potential.

Marini in action for the Crows. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Ryan Marini will join his brother at the Rams. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“We’re wrapped to get Mitch and Ryan over,” he said.

“Mitch is a classy player who has League experience with the Crows and Ryan is a great player in his own right as well.

“They’re going to add a bit of class and polish.”

The Rams, who lost last year’s grand final to Port District, has seen a number of players depart the club including Tully Kennett, Tom Bielby, Alex Haren and Jack Matchett.

Guy said he was confident in his list after recruiting to fill the holes left by the departures.

“We’re probably pretty set in terms of recruiting now, we’ve got some constraints like every other club in terms of salary cap and points.

New Glenunga coach Alex Guy. Picture: Max Stapleton

“We’re comfortable we’ve got our bases covered.

“Numbers have been good for us on the track so far across all grades and we’re putting a premium on making sure the boys are really fit heading into the season.

“We changed from being a slow inside team to a bit of a faster and younger side last year and that has become more apparent now – how we want to play won’t change but we want to make sure we’re consistent in the contest and in the clearance battle.”

While Guy had been pleased with the team’s preparation so far, he said the club was taking a cautious approach with captain Abe Davis.

Glenunga superstar Abe Davis (middle) faces a test to be fit for round one this season. Picture: Dean Martin

The star midfield/forward utility and back-to-back Keith Sims OAM medallist has been tending to a knee issue throughout the pre-season but will undoubtedly play a huge role for the Rams when back to full fitness.

“We’re hoping he’s fit for round one but it depends on how he tracks,” Guy said.

“He and the rest of the guys are all in good spirits and we’re really positive.

“We’re not going to spend much time looking back to last year, we’re looking at what we want to achieve this year.

“We know we haven’t really ticked off what we want to and everyone is hungry.”