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 2025. Read everything we’ve heard through the rumour mill.
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The local SA footy silly season is here with a number of clubs looking to bolster their troops after a thrilling 2024.
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 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.
TROY MENZEL
(Coorong, Golden Grove)
Menzel has retired from the SANFL level after a premiership career with Woodville-West Torrens and word is he will join his brother, Daniel at reigning River Murray FL premier Coorong.
The former Carlton and Crows forward would be a major signing for the Cats, who went undefeated under Daniel Menzel’s tutelage as playing-coach this year.
Golden Grove, Menzel’s junior club, is also said to be interested in his services.
GUY PAGE
(Edwardstown)
SIGNED: Plympton
Sturt 200-gamer Guy Page has called time on his SANFL career with the Double Blues and is said to be a chance to return to Edwardstown, his junior club.
The premiership defender is known to have an interest in coaching but would prove to be a big boost for Towns if the division three club is able to lure him home.
MATTHEW SNOOK
(PHOS Camden, various)
Superstar Glenelg midfielder Snook has retired after winning his third flag with Glenelg and could be available locally.
Snook’s junior club, PHOS Camden is set to ask the question after a tough division two season but other clubs are also said to be interested if he considers playing at the local level in 2025.
MATTHEW PANOS
(Rostrevor OC, various)
Norwood legend Matt Panos has retired from the SANFL after playing his 150th game for the Redlegs in their grand final loss to Glenelg on Sunday.
‘The King’ won two premierships with the club in 2014 and 2022 and is said to be a chance to join Rostrevor OC as a former Rostrevor College player.
STEVEN SLIMMING
(Unley)
Sturt premiership player Slimming has called time after 150 games with the Double Blues.
The gun wingman played his junior footy at Unley and the Jets are said to be interested in his services after just missing out on promotion to division two of the AdFL.
CHRIS CURRAN
(Victor Harbor, various)
The former Glenelg captain made a triumphant return to the Bays this season after winning a D1 flag with Prince Alfred OC in 2023, playing a major part in the side’s thrilling grand final win over Norwood.
Curran is said to be a chance to call time on his Glenelg career after winning another premiership and could very well join Victor Harbor and brother-in-law Bryce Gibbs.
SHANE EDWARDS
(Golden Grove)
The triple AFL premiership player and 300-gamer with Richmond returned home to South Australia in 2022 and has been involved with junior club Golden Grove.
The skilled playmaker has strong connections at the club and could be an option as the Kookaburras look to improve on their finals finish in div one.
RILEY BONNER
(Goodwood Saints, various)
Goodwood reportedly asked the question of Bonner after he was delisted by Port Adelaide last season and the flanker could be approached again after being delisted by St Kilda at the end of season 2024.
It has been revealed Hills FL club Echunga also approached Bonner for his services last year and the Demons could check again for season 2025.
He would prove to be a huge coup for his junior club which missed finals in division two.
PHOENIX FOSTER
(Wudinna, various)
Foster has been delisted by Geelong and could be a chance to return to the local level in SA if he does not find his way on to another list.
A Wudinna United product, the young utility should be approached by his local club and a few others in the area.
SAM MCINERNEY
(Various)
Sam McInerney has called time on his North Adelaide career after 98 games and a premiership with the Roosters.
Word is the star utility is being chased by hometown club Jamestown-Peterborough as well as Crystal Brook.
JAMES WILLIS
(Ingle Farm)
Another who has been delisted by Geelong, James Willis has big connections with his junior club Ingle Farm and could make a return next year.
A skilled midfielder, Willis would be a big pick-up for the Bulldogs ahead of the 2025 Adelaide Footy League season.
TEX WANGANEEN
(Various)
Son of SA footy legend Gavin, Tex Wanganeen has been delisted by Essendon and is expected to return home if he does not find his way on to another list.
While SANFL is the more likely option, the former Prince Alfred College and Sturt player will be approached by local clubs.
MITCH HARDIE
(Various)
The former Woodville-West Torrens midfielder has been delisted by Geelong after being named in the VFL Team of the Year and is said to be a chance to venture back to SA.
Local clubs will ask the question if Hardie, originally from NSW, does consider a return.
KAINE BALDWIN
(Henley, various)
Baldwin has been delisted by Essendon after eight games in three years and the former Glenelg gun is said to be a high chance to return home to SA.
The utility played his junior years at Henley and the Sharks will circle if he returns home and opts not to play SANFL footy.
CAMPBELL COMBE
(Crystal Brook)
SIGNED:Crystal Brook
Magarey Medallist and five time North Adelaide Best and Fairest Combe has called time on his starring career with the Roosters.
He is expected to return to hometown club Crystal Brook and play alongside brother Will in the Northern Areas Football Association.
The 2024 Barrie Robran Club Champion would be a major addition for Crystal Brook after the club suffered elimination in the first round of finals this year.
JARRYD LYONS
(Various)
Jarryd Lyons has called time on his AFL career after a recent strong stint with Brisbane and word is he will make a return to SA.
This masthead understands a number of local clubs have reportedly approached Lyons about his availability and made offers for next season but he is likely to join Glenelg and play SANFL footy.
BEN KENNEDY
(Various)
SIGNED: Kingston
The former Melbourne and Collingwood player has had a successful career with Myponga-Sellicks in the Great Southern FL and recently led the Mudlarks to a historic flag with a number of top drawer displays.
It is understood a number of local clubs from rival competitions have approached Kennedy and tabled offers for the 2025 season.
JARROD SCHILLER
(Nuriootpa)
Central District superstar Jarrod Schiller has called time on his SANFL career and could return to home club Nuriootpa in the BLGFA.
Schiller played 255 League games for the Bulldogs, was a triple club best and fairest and was also named in two Advertiser SANFL Teams of the Year.
JARRAD REDDEN
(Southern Eagles)
Triple WWTFC premiership player Redden joined Southern Eagles briefly in the Yorke Peninsula FL before returning to the Eagles for season 2024 and is set to make a return to his hometown club after retiring this year.
The veteran ruck would be a major acquisition for the YPFL club.
ANDREW BRADLEY
(Various)
Bradley had a sensational season with junior club Kybybolite in the KNTFL but clubs are circling the former Glenelg captain ahead of next season.
Westminster OS is said to be one of the clubs interested in Bradley’s services.
The versatile star was one of the best in the KNTFL through 2024 and would be a major addition to any local side.
XAVIER TRANFA
(Payneham Norwood Union)
The Norwood premiership player has departed the Redlegs after playing four League games in 2024, captaining the Reserves to a flag and finishing runner-up in the Reserves best and fairest.
PNU, Tranfa’s junior club, is said to be interested in the 22-year-old ahead of the 2025 D1 season.
LUKE SURMAN
(Various)
Former Hawthorn ruck Luke Surman has departed Norwood after 40 League games and a premiership with the Redlegs.
He will be a hot commodity among local SA clubs and Rostrevor OC is said to be a club to watch, with Surman playing his college footy with Rostrevor.
VICTORIA RUMOUR MILL CONTAINS MORE BIG NAMES
The Rumour Mill is not just constrained to South Australia. Over in Victoria the local footy Rumour Mill is also up and running featuring ex-AFL names such as Brett Deledio and Braydon Preuss. Check it out.
NED MCHENRY
(Various)
SIGNED: Prince Alfred OC
McHenry was delisted by the Crows after 70 AFL games for the club and the skilled and versatile 24-year-old is said to be a chance to play local footy next year.
A number of local SA clubs are believed to be interested across country and suburban competitions.
BILLY STRETCH
(Various)
Former Melbourne player Billy Stretch has retired from SANFL football after winning a premiership with Glenelg and this masthead understands multiple local clubs have been interested in acquiring the 28-year-old.
ARLO DRAPER
(Willunga, various)
Former Essendon player Draper may not return to South Adelaide for the 2025 SANFL season and word is he could find his way back to hometown club Willunga or another local side.
The older brother of newest Crows draftee Sid Draper, Arlo would be a major asset around the ground for any local club.
JACK FIRNS
(Seaton Ramblers, various)
A versatile dual premiership player for WWTFC, Firns has retired from SANFL football and is said to be a chance to head back to local club Seaton Ramblers.
Other clubs around SA can also be expected to show interest in Firns' services.
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