Local SA footy player movement rumour mill
Local SA footy silly season is here and a number of big name players could be set to join a community club for 2024. Read everything we’ve heard through the rumour mill.
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The 2024 local SA footy pre-season is almost here and a number of clubs are looking to bolster their troops ahead of their campaigns.
With a number of former AFL and SANFL players potentially available across the state, word is beginning to travel on where some of the big names could end up.
The rumour mill is already in full motion and will only continue to gather pace in the coming weeks and months.
So, in no particular order, here are some of the whispers we’re hearing at water coolers and in corridors about where the big names could be playing next year.
We‘ll be staying tuned throughout the off-season to see which ones become fact and which are merely fiction.
Let us know your thoughts.
TOM JONAS
(Payneham Norwood Union/Rostrevor OC)
The recently retired Port Adelaide captain played all of his junior club footy at Payneham Norwood Union and represented Rostrevor College in school football.
According to sources, both PNU and Rostrevor OC have showed interest in the key back returning to community footy, with the latter the most likely to land him.
SCOTT LYCETT
(Port District)
SIGNED: Port District
Lycett recently made the call to retire from the AFL after a starring career with West Coast and Port Adelaide, so could he be a chance to land at a local club?
That’s the mail, with div one Adelaide Footy League club Port District a strong chance to land the star big man if he was to make the move to community footy.
Despite his junior connections at Ceduna, Lycett rose to draft contention at Henley High and has close friends at the Port powerhouse.
BRYCE GIBBS
(Various)
SIGNED: Victor Harbor
Make no mistake, Bryce Gibbs is on the market after a career with Carlton, Adelaide and South Adelaide.
Despite being a decent chance to land at his junior club Plympton in the Adelaide Footy League, other clubs can feel confident of coming up with a good enough pitch to lure him elsewhere.
MAX PROUD
(Sacred Heart OC)
The former star Glenelg captain retired from SANFL football after leading the Bays to a premiership over Sturt last year.
Sacred Heart OC is said to be a major chance for the versatile star ahead of the 2024 division one season.
It would be a huge addition for SHOC after losing its semi final against Tea Tree Gully.
RILEY BONNER
(Goodwood Saints)
SIGNED: St Kilda
Turning 27 in March, Bonner may very well find his way on to another AFL list or end up in the SANFL after being delisted by Port Adelaide.
However, Bonner’s junior club Goodwood is said to be showing significant interest in the exciting flanker and he would prove to be a huge coup as the club aims to bounce back from its surprise drop to division two.
HAMISH HARTLETT
(Edwardstown)
The Hartlett connection at the Towns runs deep, and the club has long considered itself a chance to lure him home to finish out his career.
While the star midfielder played four games and booted 18 goals for Kingscote in the Kangaroo Island FL in 2023, a finish in the high grades of AdFL would be a fitting end for a player of his calibre.
Would be the ideal signing to potentially get the club up to division one.
MATT NUNN
SIGNED: Payneham Norwood Union
The former SANFL captain has retired after a starring career with Norwood and could be available at the local level.
The skilled midfielder played juniors at Athelstone, who picked up former Redlegs teammate Mitch Grigg last year, and also played senior footy at PNU.
Both clubs are said to be interested.
SHANE EDWARDS
(Golden Grove)
The triple premiership player and 300-gamer with Richmond returned home to South Australia as part of the Crows’ off-field staff last year and got back involved at junior club Golden Grove.
The skilled playmaker has strong connections at the club and could be an option as the Kookaburras enter their first division one season next year.
TRENT DUMONT
(Golden Grove)
Dumont has been delisted by Port Adelaide and may look to bypass a return to SANFL club Norwood, instead joining a local SA footy club.
Dumont’s junior club, Golden Grove, has secured promotion to division one and is sure to ask the question of the 28-year-old midfielder.
SHANNON HURN
(Angaston, Willunga)
An icon in the Barossa, Hurn returns for most Barossa, Light and Gawler FA grand finals to present the Hurn Medal to the best on ground.
Look for the West Coast premiership captain to potentially return permanently however, with hometown and junior club Angaston at the top of the local list and AFL premiership teammate Jack Redden’s Willunga another option.
After giving his all for the Eagles, a return to his beloved Panthers could be the icing on the cake of a tremendous career.
TIM O’BRIEN
(West Gambier)
West Gambier is said to be interested in O’Brien after the 29-year-old was delisted by Western Bulldogs.
The skilled utility has previously won a senior Western Border Football League premiership with the Roos.
PHOENIX SPICER
(Morphettville Park)
The talented half-forward/wing utility has been delisted by North Melbourne and could be looking to return home to SA.
While AFL and SANFL clubs will be circling the exciting talent, junior club Morphettville Park would be the obvious option if he was to go local.
WILL GOULD
(Lucindale)
SIGNED: Glenelg
Gould has been delisted by Sydney after three seasons with the Swans and while he would be a strong chance to find his way on to another list or re-join Glenelg in the SANFL, word is local SA clubs are monitoring his movements.
Lucindale – Gould’s hometown club – would be at the top of the pecking order if the versatile defender was to explore his local options.
While the Roos would be an option for Gould, Glenelg is said to be the most likely landing place if he does not find his way to another AFL side before next season.
ARLO DRAPER
(Willunga)
SIGNED: South Adelaide
Draper’s delisting from Collingwood has put his future up in the air for the time-being and while a number of AFL clubs may be circling the young utility, Willunga is said to be on watch.
The Demons may look to pull off their second major signing in as many years after landing Jack Redden from West Coast if Draper chooses not to return to South Adelaide.
WILL SNELLING
(Goodwood)
SIGNED: Sturt
Officially delisted by Essendon, Snelling could be on the radar of a number of AFL clubs but a return home to SA also remains a possibility.
The former West Adelaide man could don the black and red again this year if he returns to his SANFL club, but Goodwood Saints may test the water with the forward as it aims to retool for division two in 2024.
BRADY SEARLE
(Plympton)
The former Glenelg SANFL League player has departed the Bays ahead of season 2024 and could look to join a local footy side as a result.
A skilled midfielder, Searle played most of his junior footy with Plympton and would be a good addition for the Bulldog if they were to lock him in for next year.
JONATHON BEECH
(Barmera Monash)
The former Crows forward has retired after a strong career with West Adelaide and should be on the radar of multiple clubs.
A junior at reigning Riverland FL premier Barmera Monash, Beech could find his way back to his local club ahead of season 2024.
LOUIS SHARRAD
(Port District)
Port District may add another big name to its senior list ahead of 2024, with Sharrad retiring from SANFL footy after a number of league seasons with Port Adelaide, Woodville-West Torrens and Adelaide.
A talented midfielder who can stack up big clearance and inside 50 numbers, Sharrad played a handful of games with Port District last season when he wasn't playing SANFL.
JIMMY TOUMPAS
(Various)
The former Melbourne and Port Adelaide player has retired from Woodville-West Torrens and SANFL after a strong career and is said to be a chance to join a local SA club for next season.
A number of clubs are reportedly keen on the midfielder if he is available.
LUKE PARTINGTON
(Various)
The former West Coast player and Magarey Medallist for Glenelg is set to step away from the Tigers to travel in 2024.
Currently playing for PINT in the NT, word is Partington may find his way in to a local side if he chooses to take a break from SANFL footy upon return.
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