Local SA footy new coaches and current vacancies for season 2024

Local SA footy pre-season is in full swing and many teams are preparing for 2024 under new senior coaches. See every new appointment and the current vacancies across the state.

The local SA footy pre-season is in full swing and a number of coaches have taken the reins at new clubs ahead of 2024.

As clubs prepare for next year, we’ll be listing every new senior coach as well as the clubs which currently have a vacancy until the start of season 2024.

See the list below.

ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE

New coaches

Adam Moller (Edwardstown)

Anton Railey (Eastern Park)

Blake Derer (Hackham)

Ben Johnston (Goodwood)

Cam Matters (Trinity OS)

Charles Canny (Pembroke OS)

Daimon Head (Henley)

Darren Mead (Seaton Ramblers)

Joey Hay (North Haven)

Josh Gordon-Hunt (Smithfield)

Kane Stewart (PHOS Camden)

Luke Ivens (Mitcham)

Matt Stelzer (St Paul’s OS)

Matt Whitford (Adelaide Lutheran)

Mike Cini (Blackfriars OS)

Scott Davis (Flinders Uni)

Scott Sandercock (Pooraka)

Trent Greenshields (Elizabeth)

Clubs currently searching

Brahma Lodge

Portland

Ben Johnston (left) will coach Goodwood next season. Picture: Goodwood Saints Football Club

Mike Cini (left) has signed as coach of Blackfriars OS. Picture: Facebook

Goodwood has made its coaching change ahead of season 2024 after suffering relegation to division two, signing longtime B Grade coach Ben Johnston to the A Grade role.

Johnston will replace Luke Donaldson after he resigned at the end of the season, and was confident the Saints could bounce back into the top division by 2025.

Former Port Adelaide AFL player and SANFL coach Darren Mead has signed with Seaton Ramblers in division three of the Adelaide Footy League.

He will coach son Mitch Mead after the midfielder experienced a standout season for the club.

Henley has also found its new coach ahead of its 2024 division three season, signing former West Adelaide reserves coach Daimon Head.

Pembroke OS has replaced departing playing-coach Mark Evans, who made the decision to retire from football last week.

The Kings have appointed Charles Canny as coach for season 2024.

One of the club’s greatest players, the former vice president, captain and best and fairest winner will lead the Kings as they aim to move up to division two.

Edwardstown has signed a new coach ahead of season 2024, with former Prince Alfred OC coach Adam Moller set to lead the side as it aims to move up from division two.

ADELAIDE PLAINS FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Hayden Battle (Balaklava)

FAR NORTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Clubs currently searching

Olympic Dam

Olympic Dam has opened applications for a new senior coach after failing to make the FNFL grand final a season after winning the premiership.

The Devils lost to Miners by 25 points in the 2023 season’s preliminary final and will opt for a new approach in 2024.

GREAT SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Darren Shillabeer (Myponga-Sellicks)

Peter Galbraith (Langhorne Creek)

A former coach of Mount Compass in the GSFL, Galbraith will return to the competition in charge of Langhorne Creek as the club attempts to taste the winning feeling in September again.

During his last stint in the league, Galbraith made seven consecutive finals series and won two flags.

Darren Shillabeer has also joined the GSFL as playing-coach of Myponga-Sellicks in a major move by the Mudlarks.

After falling short in finals again, the club should receive a big boost from the star SA country forward as it looks to go all the way in 2024.

HILLS FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND COUNTRY DIV

New coaches

Daniel Trevena and Rod Mitchell (Kangarilla)

Glenn Molloy (Birdwood)

Kane Paues (Kersbrook)

Kris Dawe (Meadows)

Clubs currently searching

Kris Dawe has taken over as A Grade coach of Meadows in the Hills Country Division after time with the lower grades at the club.

The Bulldogs have made the move after losing their second straight grand final to Gumeracha by a kick.

KANGAROO ISLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

David Florance (Dudley United)

KOWREE NARACOORTE TATIARA FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Jayden Eldridge (Penola)

Sam Logan (Naracoorte)

Jayden Eldridge (right) will coach Penola next season. Picture: Penola Football Club

Star South East utility Jayden Eldridge has taken the reins as playing-coach of Penola for next KNTFL season.

The club experienced a challenging 2023 season but the former Mail Medallist remains one of the standout leaders in country footy and should bring a welcomed boost to the side for 2024.

MID SOUTH EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Clint Gallio (Mount Burr)

Reece Duncan (Glencoe)

Millicent icon Clint Gallio has departed the Saints after yet another Western Border FL flag and will be playing-coach of Mount Burr in 2024.

The dominant veteran midfielder will take on a youthful list and could be the person the club needs to return to contention in the MSEFL.

NORTHERN AREAS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Clubs currently searching

Southern Flinders

MURRAY VALLEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Barry Gavranich (Ramco)

Chris Gardner (Paringa)

NORTH EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Clubs currently searching

Blyth-Snowtown

PORT LINCOLN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Tynan Keeley (Marble Range)

RIVERLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New Coaches

Dave Higgins (Loxton North)

Dave Higgins will coach Loxton North in 2024 after the club fell just short in the 2023 RFL finals series after a dominant minor round. 

Higgins has worked as Glenelg SANFL League assistant, Collingwood recruiter and forward scout, Tailem Bend head coach and as a SANFL Juniors coach. 

RIVER MURRAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Daniel Menzel (Coorong)

Daniel Menzel has signed as playing-coach of Coorong after retiring from the Eagles. Picture: SANFL

Daniel Menzel has signed as playing-coach of the Coorong Cats ahead of next River Murray FL season, departing Padthaway after playing for the South East club post-SANFL retirement.

The arrival of the former star Geelong, Sydney and Woodville-West Torrens forward should prove to be a significant boost for the Cats, who will attempt to improve on their 2023 finals finish.

SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Brian Haraida (Christies Beach)

Elijah Ware (Ironbank Cherry Gardens)

Sam Tharaldsen (Flagstaff Hill)

Elijah Ware will coach Ironbank/Cherry Gardens in the SFL next season. Picture: File

Sam Tharaldsen (left) representing Southern Districts in the SA country football championships. Picture: Mark Brake

Former Port Adelaide AFL player and McLaren star Elijah Ware has returned to Ironbank Cherry Gardens as the club prepares for its move to the Southern Football League in season 2024.

One of the most well-known names in local SA footy, Ware is a reliable player with a high footy IQ and should be the perfect leader for the club.

Former Central District gun Brian Haraida has signed as Christies Beach coach after time with Woodville-West Torrens as defensive coach.

The Bulldogs premiership player should prove to be a big move for the Saints after a tough 2023 campaign.

Flagstaff Hill superstar and former Crows and South Adelaide SANFL player Sam Tharaldsen has taken on a new role as playing-coach of the Falcons for 2024. 

The gun defender has been one of the best players in SA country footy through a number of seasons and should fit the role seamlessly after 2023 premiership coach Zane Kirkwood's departure.

WHYALLA FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Ben Butler (West Whyalla)

YORKE PENINSULA FOOTBALL LEAGUE

New coaches

Sam Pfeiffer (Ardrossan)

Star SA country player Sam Pfeiffer has signed as playing-coach of Ardrossan ahead of next season as the Roos look to improve on a second bottom finish in 2023.

The former Crows SANFL player believed the club was on the cusp of fighting for finals after a competitive season despite the poor win-loss record.