Local SA footy new coaches and current vacancies for season 2025

Local SA footy pre-season is upon us and many teams will be preparing for season 2025 under new senior coaches. See every new appointment and the current vacancies across the state. 

The 2025 local SA footy pre-season is in full swing and a number of coaches have already taken the reins at new clubs.

As clubs around the state prepare for next year, we’ll be listing every new senior coach as well as the clubs which currently have a vacancy.

See the list below.

Adelaide Footy League

New coaches

Shane Baldock (Scotch OC)

Sean Bayzand (Marion)

Jack Brink (Greenacres)

Mike Cini (Hope Valley)

Brian Curtis (West Croydon)

Matt Downie (Gaza)

Jack Fergus (Broadview)

Clint Godwin (Brighton)

Alex Guy (Glenunga)

Mick Kilsby (Woodville South)

Dwayne Kretschmer (Adelaide Uni)

Wyatt MacKinnon (Blackfriars OS)

Ned McHenry (Prince Alfred OC)

Trent Moody (North Haven)

Jed Pfeiffer (Gepps Cross)

Lynton Power (Para Hills)

Nathan Rayner (Fitzroy)

Clyde Rigney (Ingle Farm)

Ivan Silvy (Central United)

Chad Simmons (Edwardstown)

Simon Quinn (Plympton)

Alex Guy has taken over as Glenunga coach after Nathan Grima's departure. Picture: Max Stapleton

A number of Adelaide Footy League clubs have already appointed new coaches ahead of next season, with former Sturt assistant and Athelstone senior coach Alex Guy headlining the moves by taking over from Nathan Grima at Glenunga.

Guy served as an assistant under Grima last season and steps in as the Rams aim to bounce back from two consecutive D1 grand final defeats and go one further in 2025.

Former Adelaide Crows player Ned McHenry has taken over as Prince Alfred OC playing-coach after Craig Pitt's departure, joining the Old Reds after retiring from AFL level. 

McHenry will look to improve on the club's 2024 division one season and will be joined at the club by current Crows superstar Taylor Walker, who has become part of the coaching panel. 

Revered local coach Clint Godwin has stepped into the top job at Brighton after Brett Backwell's departure at the end of the 2024 season. 

Godwin has previously won multiple flags as Langhorne Creek coach and will aim to rejuvenate the Bombers after they dropped down to division two.

Division one club Broadview remains on the search for a new club after Matt Burgess’ departure, while the relegated Brighton Bombers continue their process after Brett Backwell stepped down at the end of the 2024 season.

Adelaide Plains Football League

Clubs currently searching

Angle Vale

Great Flinders Football League

New coaches

Richard Horgan (Tumby Bay)

Horgan previously coached Tumby Bay to two premierships during his tenure from 2006 to 2009 and has returned to coach the Blues in 2025.

Great Southern Football League

New coaches

Wayne Knowles (Strathalbyn)

Clubs currently searching

Yankalilla

Wayne Knowles (left) will coach Strathalbyn next season. Picture: Strathalbyn Football Club

Former Woodville-West Torrens assistant coach Wayne Knowles has taken over as coach of Strathalbyn for 2025 as the Roosters aim to compete for finals.

Knowles arrives with significant experience having coached Mannum, RMFL interleague and Adelaide Plains interleague.

Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League

New coaches

Alex Barns (Kingston)

Former North Adelaide and Morphettville Park gun Alex Barns has joined Kingston as playing-coach for season 2025. 

A star utility who can dominate in the ruck or up front, Barns is fresh off of winning the division four medal in 2024.

Mid South Eastern Football League

New coaches

Adam Kurzman (Robe)

Matt Roscow (Kongorong)

Murray Valley Football League 

New coaches

Nathan Francis (Browns Well)

North Eastern Football League

New coaches

Brodie Cox (Eudunda Robertstown)

Clubs currently searching

South Clare

Port Lincoln Football League

Clubs currently searching

Wayback

Riverland Football League

New coaches

Henry Labastida (Berri)

Jackson Sutton (Waikerie)

Henry Labastida has signed as coach of Berri in the Riverland FL. Picture: Berri Football Club

Jackson Sutton has taken over as coach of Riverland power Waikerie for season 2025 after winning seven premierships with the Magpies as a player.

Sutton replaces Michael Klisby after he departed for Woodville South in the Adelaide Footy League.

Henry Labastida has stepped in as playing-coach of Berri ahead of next year after spending some time with the club in 2024.

Labastida is a consistent player and standout leader who has experienced major successes with St Mary’s in the NT.

River Murray Football League

New coaches 

Tyson Edwards (Tailem Bend)

Raymond O'Donnell (Ramblers)

Adelaide Crows legend Tyson Edwards has joined Tailem Bend as coach. Picture: File

Adelaide Crows legend Tyson Edwards has joined Tailem Bend as coach for season 2025 in one of the biggest local SA footy signings so far this pre-season.

Edwards, who tallied 321 games for the Crows and won back-to-back premierships in 1997 and 1998, has close family ties to the club, with son Brodie currently playing in the Eagles' A Grade side.

He will be joined by son Luke in the coaches box as he attempts to lead the club to its first flag since 2000.

Southern Football League

New coaches

Matt Pethick (Cove)

Spencer Gulf Football League

New coaches

Tom Baulderstone (Central Augusta)

Michael Curley (West Augusta)

Jarrad Davies (Solomontown)

West Augusta player Michael Curley has stepped into a playing-coach role with the club ahead of next season.

The club finished with the wooden spoon this year, recording just three wins, and will look to bounce back under Curley’s guidance in 2025.

Whyalla Football League

Clubs currently searching

West Whyalla

Yorke Peninsula Football League

New coaches

Michael Box (Bute)

Aidan Zwar (Moonta)

Clubs currently searching

Southern Eagles

Michael Box (left) has stepped in as Strathalbyn coach. Picture: Strathalbyn Football Club

Michael Box has signed as coach of Bute with hopes of helping the Roosters to a 2025 YPFL premiership.

Box served as an assistant coach last season during which the Roosters finished fourth and suffered elimination at the hands of CMS Crows in the first semi final.

Moonta legend Aidan Zwar has taken over as coach for season 2025 after an impressive playing career which included two premierships, an A Grade best and fairest and A Grade captaincy.