Local SA footy’s new coaches and current vacancies for season 2023 revealed
Local SA footy offseason is in full swing and a number of clubs have already signed new coaches for 2023. See every new appointment and current vacancies across the state.
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Local SA footy offseason is in full swing and there have been a number of senior coaching appointments across the state.
As clubs look to reset and retool for season 2023, we’ve got every new coach, and the clubs which currently have an A Grade vacancy.
ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE
NEW COACHES
Andrew Zobel (Adelaide Lutheran)
Matt Leigh (Brahma Lodge)
Brett Simpson (CBC OC)
Troy Treverton (Eastern Park)
Josh Gould (Flinders Park)
Ben Bamford (Greenacres)
Luke McCracken (Henley)
Carey Payne (Ingle Farm)
Peter Diamandopoulos (Kenilworth)
Mark Kamenic (Mitchell Park)
Michael Dean (OSB Lonsdale)
Craig Forby (Para Hills)
Brian Leys (Portland)
Damian Boots (Rostrevor OC)
Jason De Luca (Scotch OC)
Craig Smith (Seaton Ramblers)
Joshua Considine (Smithfield)
Justin Maschotta (Tea Tree Gully)
Zeb Kenny (Westminster OS)
Jarrad Cattermole (Woodville South)
CLUBS SEARCHING
Hectorville
Kilburn
Old Ignatians
SMOSH West Lakes
St Paul’s OS
St Peter’s OC
The Adelaide Footy League has already seen a host of coaching changes as clubs seek a new approach for next season.
Justin Maschotta has returned to division one side Tea Tree Gully after a year in the SANFL, while former Old Ignatians coach Damian Boots has joined Rostrevor OC after the club’s relegation to division two.
Former West Adelaide and Blackwood man Luke McCracken will take the reins at Henley as it looks to bounce back from a disappointing division two season, and Jason De Luca joins Scotch OC, replacing Will James after he stepped down during last season.
St Peter’s OC has also parted ways with Geoff Riddle and will have a new coach for 2023.
ADELAIDE PLAINS FL
NEW COACHES
Jarred Allmond (United)
Wayne Knowles (Virginia)
CLUBS SEARCHING
Hamley Bridge
Former SANFL league player Jarred Allmond headlines the coaching changes so far in the Adelaide Plains Football League, the former Woodville-West Torrens and North Adelaide man joining United as it aims to bounce back from another winless season.
Hamley Bridge is also on the lookout for a new name to lead its troops after finishing second bottom.
BAROSSA LIGHT & GAWLER FA
NEW COACHES
Craig Hadden (Angaston)
Shane Dawe (Gawler Central)
Damien Herzick (Willaston)
Hadden was one of the first coach signings in the 2022/2023 offseason and returns to his old club after a stint with Central District in the SANFL.
He was a 300-game player for Angaston and will aim to lead it to premiership success in the coming seasons.
EASTERN EYRE FL
NEW COACHES
Kym Martens (Cowell)
GREAT SOUTHERN FL
NEW COACHES
Chad Simmons (Yankalilla)
Simmons is a former SANFL league assistant coach who achieved major successes at Norwood, Sturt and South Adelaide, winning multiple premierships at the Redlegs and Double Blues.
The signing comes after the Tigers won just two of its 18 games in season 2022.
HILLS FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NEW COACHES
Rian Nelson (Birdwood)
Kieran Sporn (Blackwood)
Darren Vanzetta (Echunga)
Mark Weaver (Gumeracha)
Sam Heeps (Kangarilla)
Dale Eichner (Nairne Bremer)
Matt Down (Uraidla Districts)
A number of coaching changes have taken place in the Hills as clubs look to match it with the best in one of the state’s strongest local leagues.
Matt Down will replace former playing-coach Dean Terlich as he focuses on his on-field duties, while Blackwood favourite Kieran Sporn will take the head coach job with former SANFL players Sam Venning and Alex Scott as assistants.
KANGAROO ISLAND FL
CLUBS SEARCHING
Western Districts
KOWREE NARACOORTE TATIARA FL
NEW COACHES
Lewis Hender (Keith)
Sean Jackson (Kingston)
Jack Kelly (Kybybolite)
Five-time North Adelaide leading goalkicker Lewis Hender will coach his hometown club in season 2023 following the departure of gun midfielder and coach George Thring.
The gun forward was dominant in the KNTFL last season and is hoping he can lead the Crows to premiership success after the club’s grand final loss to Lucindale this year.
MID SOUTH EASTERN FL
NEW COACHES
Shane Raymond (Nangwarry)
Josh Woodall (Port MacDonnell)
Nathan Brown (Robe)
Struggling MSEFL outfit Robe has signed former West Adelaide player Nathan Brown as its leader for 2023.
Brown had spent the last two seasons playing and coaching for Karoonda in the Mallee Football League before it disbanded.
NORTHERN AREAS FA
NEW COACHES
Greg Andrews (Jamestown/Peterborough)
CLUBS SEARCHING
Orroroo
Southern Flinders
NORTH EASTERN FL
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Blyth/Snowtown
MinMan Eagles
PORT LINCOLN FL
NEW COACHES
Johann Wagner (Lincoln South)
Jake Stoll (Tasman)
Former Port Adelaide listed player Johann Wagner – who has spent recent seasons as a goal kicking machine for Cummins Kapinnie in the Great Flinders FL – joins Lincoln South.
The star forward played junior football at the club and will now lead its A Grade side as it looks to challenge in 2023.
RIVERLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NEW COACHES
Fraser Sampson (Barmera Monash)
Michael Kilsby (Waikerie)
2022 grand final side Waikerie has found its new coach, signing Michael Kilsby for next season.
Kilsby has a wealth of experience across SA footy and most recently assistant coached the Great Southern Football League’s association team.
The Magpies fell short of Renmark in the big dance last season and are aiming to take the next step in 2023.
RIVERLAND INDEPENDENT FL
NEW COACHES
Max Blanck (Berri)
Jeremy Miatke (Browns’ Well)
RIVER MURRAY FL
NEW COACHES
Adam Moller (Coorong Cats)
Brett Todd (Imperials)
Stevie Sumner Sr (Mypolonga)
Nathan Stark (Tailem Bend)
Former Meningie and Prince Alfred Old Collegians player Adam Moller will remain at the RMFL to coach its newest side the Coorong Cats – an amalgamation between Meningie and Border Downs Tintinara.
Moller was senior coach of Meningie in season 2021 and 2022 and was also a casual talent scout and opposition analyst for Fremantle in years prior.
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NEW COACHES
Scott Rose (Aldinga)
Andrew Jarman (Port Noarlunga)
Brendan McKeough (Reynella)
CLUBS SEARCHING
Happy Valley
Adelaide Crows and SANFL icon Andrew Jarman headlines the SFL changes so far, joining Port Noarlunga after departing Willaston at the end of last season.
He has been passionate about helping struggling clubs and will attempt to turn the fortunes of the Cockledivers around.
SPENCER GULF FL
NEW COACHES
Jamie McNamara (Port)
Michael Curley (West Augusta)
WESTERN BORDER FL
NEW COACHES
Keith Ransom and Jake Dowdy (East Gambier)
WESTERN EYRE FL
CLUBS SEARCHING
Thevenard
Thevenard has decided to pursue a new coach after a disappointing 2022 campaign.
The Magpies finished second bottom with a league-worst percentage of 38.25 this year.
WHYALLA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NEW COACHES
David Atkinson (North Whyalla)
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North Whyalla
South Whyalla
YORKE PENINSULA FL
NEW COACHES
Mat Creeper (CMS Crows)
Greg Clarke (Kadina)
CLUBS SEARCHING
Bute
Moonta
Wallaroo
Mat Creeper has departed SANFLW to lead the CMS Crows in 2023 as the club aims for YPFL premiership success.
Creeper has an impressive resume, having taken on roles as assistant coach of Collingwood’s 2020 AFLW side and head coach for Norwood’s SANFLW side in 2021 and 2022.
He was named SANFLW coach of the year in 2021.
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