Kristian Roocke, Anthony Wilson join Pembroke Old Scholars for season 2023

An Adelaide Footy League club has added two guns to a star-studded line-up in the space of days as it looks to win its second straight premiership.

A reigning Adelaide Footy League premier has added two local stars in as many days to significantly bolster its line-up for season 2023.

Former Norwood, Payneham Norwood Union and Old Ignatians midfielder Kristian Roocke has joined division three club Pembroke Old Scholars along with exciting forward Anthony Wilson – who also played with the Redlegs, Falcons and Iggies and was listed with Port Adelaide last season.

The additions come two weeks after Pembroke OS signed George Thring, brother of Kings player Max – who captained North Adelaide to its 2018 SANFL premiership.

Roocke said the opportunity to join former Norwood stars Alex Forster, Mark Evans and Patrick Levicki as well as former Roosters Max and George Thring was hard to pass up.

“That was really the main thing. Alex (Forster) had been in my ear for a while,” Roocke said.

Former Norwood, PNU and Old Ignatians player Kristian Roocke (left) has signed with Pembroke Old Scholars for 2023. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“The chance to play with guys like Mark Evans and Levicki, and getting Wilson on-board now too – it’s really big.

“I’ve played against the Thring boys for a while too so to get the chance to play alongside them is exciting and I think there’s now a big opportunity to achieve some success.”

Success wouldn’t be anything new for the Kings after winning last season’s division four premiership over Hope Valley.

Roocke – who is coming off of a solid division one season with Old Ignatians – believed he and Wilson could help bring another level to the club on and off the field.

Rooke (front) and Wilson (back) will join forces yet again at the Kings. Picture: Greg Higgs

“I was a bit up and down on the field last season but I think joining up with some of those guys at Pembroke is going to help me settle in and continue to perform on the park.

“The club has a heap of SANFL experience now and I know they run a tight ship so it’s going to be good to have that level of professionalism around.

“Getting Anthony (Wilson) over too is massive, he was obviously with Port Adelaide last season and he’s a great player. I imagine he’ll dominate.”

While Roocke believed his new side had the potential to climb multiple divisions in the Adelaide Footy League, he said the goal would also be to develop the youth.

Pembroke OS has added significant star power to its line-up after winning last season's division four premiership. Picture: Pembroke Kings

“I want to contribute to success in any way possible and hopefully the group can go deep in finals next season but, being a bit older now, there’s a chance to also develop young kids coming through.

“There are some guys who have come through college and might not have tasted senior footy yet so to help them, that always excites me.”

Pembroke’s newest additions add to what has already been an exciting off-season of signings in local SA footy, with multiple ex-AFL and SANFL guns joining local clubs.