Local SA footy fast-starting recruits in season 2023 revealed
SA’s local footy season is now in full swing and a number of recruits are impressing for their new clubs. Here are the 20 best-performing signings so far across suburban and country comps.
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The local SA footy season is in full swing and a number of new recruits have been impressing across the state’s suburban and country competitions.
Based on the first few weeks of play, we’ve picked the top 20 standout, fast-starting recruits.
Here they are in alphabetical order.
AIDAN COAKLEY
(Tailem Bend)
A star recruit out of Christies Beach in the Southern Football League, veteran leader Coakley has been in hot form to start the River Murray FL season as captain of Tailem Bend.
The gun midfielder has tallied four goals and two best player nods in his three appearances so far.
ANDREW BRADLEY
(Prince Alfred OC)
The Glenelg premiership captain has been at his best since arriving at Prince Alfred Old Collegians in the pre-season.
Playing a number of roles at the back, through the middle or up front, Bradley has been a driving force behind the Old Reds’ strong start to the division one Adelaide Footy League season.
DAVID HANKIN
(Morphettville Park)
Hankin has been in strong form as a small forward for Morphettville Park in division four after arriving from Imperial in the RMFL.
A reliable kick for goal who applies strong pressure and also creates for teammates, Hankin has six goals in two wins for the Roos.
DYLAN ALDRIDGE
(Moonta)
Aldridge joined Yorke Peninsula FL club Moonta after a dominant 50-goal year for Proprietary/Risdon in the Spencer Gulf and has started this season at his best.
Aldridge put together a spectacular debut for his new side in round one, booting 11 goals against CMS Crows in one of the most dominant YPFL displays in recent years.
JACK REDDEN
(Willunga)
Redden’s shock arrival at Willunga was well-documented throughout the local footy pre-season and the star midfielder has hit the ground running with the Demons.
The West Coast premiership player has been dominant through the middle with his ability to accumulate the ball and deliver to teammates efficiently.
JARRAD REDDEN
(Southern Eagles)
After a sensational career for Woodville-West Torrens, triple SANFL premiership big man Jarrad Redden has started his Yorke Peninsula FL career with Southern Eagles in top form.
Playing a ruck and forward role, Redden has booted seven majors in three games and been named among the Eagles’ best two times.
JAYDEN DAVIS
(Prince Alfred OC)
A former Glenelg junior captain, Davis has been another great pick-up for Prince Alfred OC this season.
A rising star in division one, Davis has been strong in a target forward role, booting seven goals in his first two games.
JAYDEN ELDRIDGE
(Penola)
Last season’s Western Border Football League Mail Medallist has been an instant and significant boost for Penola in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League despite two early losses for the club.
A star player who can fill a role at the back or on the ball, Eldridge has been his side’s best in his first two weeks.
JAKOB THOMSON
(Two Wells)
Thomson has returned to hometown club Two Wells in the Adelaide Plains FL after time with Central District in the SANFL and has been a standout throughout the start of the season.
Through his first two games, the target forward has kicked eight goals and been named best player once.
JOEL CROSS
(Sacred Heart OC)
The dual Magarey Medallist has fit Sacred Heart OC perfectly since arriving from a season with Western Districts in the Kangaroo Island.
Currently starring in a midfield and forward role, Cross has kicked three goals and been named best player once in his first two weeks.
LACHLAN THOMAS
(Jervois)
A versatile player who can fill a number of roles, Thomas has been impressive as a midfielder and winger since joining the Bluds from Tailem Bend.
The young star has covered the ground exceptionally throughout his first three weeks, booting six goals and picking up two best player nods.
LIAM DAVIS
(Payneham Norwood Union)
Star key forward Liam Davis has returned to PNU after a season with Houghton Districts and has arguably been the best forward in division two so far this season.
Thriving under Falcons coach Jeremy Cini, Davis has been dominant in the air and in front of goal, booting 12 majors in just two games.
LYNDON HUPFELD
(Glenunga)
Hupfeld produced one of the best halves of footy so far this local SA footy season in his debut for Glenunga, booting five goals against Brighton before departing injured.
The former West Adelaide target was in strong form again against Tea Tree Gully over the weekend, acting as a link up between midfielders and forwards.
MITCH GRIGG
(Athlestone)
Grigg’s return to his junior club has so far paid dividends for the Raggies, the side winning two in a row to start the 2023 division two season.
The dual Magarey Medallist has been a standout on the ball, consistently winning the contested footy and either hitting the scoreboard or delivering to his forwards.
RYAN LLEWELLYN
(Modbury)
After finishing fourth in last year’s Central District best and fairest count, Llewellyn has been a force at the back for Modbury in division three of the Adelaide Footy League.
The athletic key defender has had a major hand in the Hawks’ two wins over Westminster OS and Pembroke OS, accumulating two best player nods for those two games.
SAM JACOBS
(Flagstaff Hill)
Jacobs has been the best recruit in the early local SA footy season, completely tearing Southern Football League opposition apart in the ruck and up front for Flagstaff Hill.
The former Adelaide Crow has booted 13 goals in three games to lead the league in majors and sits as the early favourite to take out the Mail Medal.
SAM OVERALL
(Victor Harbor)
Overall’s return home to Victor Harbor from South Adelaide has been significant for the Roos and has already paid off.
The key forward has seven goals in two Great Southern FL games and has also been named among his side’s best players twice.
TOM KEOUGH
(Southern Mallee Suns)
The former West Adelaide captain and Gold Coast Suns listed player – who grew up playing for Pinnaroo – has returned to the Murray to represent the Southern Mallee Suns this season and could be the RMFL’s best player so far.
A versatile star who can play at the back, through the middle, or as a strong forward, Keough has 15 goals and two best player nods in his three games this year and has also impressed as captain of the Suns.
ZAC WOOLDRIDGE
(Loxton North)
Wooldridge has been a major key to Loxton North’s dramatic turnaround this season, performing consistently up front to boot eight goals in two games.
The former Flinders Park man has also picked up two best player mentions in the Panthers’ two games so far.
ZANE MONTGOMERIE
(Lincoln South)
A versatile defender who can dominate across half-back or slide into a wing or midfield role, Montgomerie has been at his best at Lincoln South after moving from Elliston Districts.
The former SA Country team member has a goal and two best player nods in two games as the Eagles look to compete for a flag.
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