Local SA footy’s top coaches of the 21st Century so far revealed
Local SA footy has been filled with talented coaches who have had a major impact on their clubs throughout the 21st Century so we’ve picked the best of the bunch. See who made the cut from the past 25 years and vote for your top coach in our poll.
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Local SA footy has been packed with top drawer footy minds for years, so we’ve decided to pick our best of the 21st Century so far to kick-off the 2025 season.
After consulting with a number of league insiders, we’ve made our selection of the top names through the past 25 years.
Premiership success was a major factor in the selection of coaches, but overall impact on clubs was also taken into account.
Here is our list in alphabetical order.
DAMIAN BOOTS
(Old Ignatians, Rostrevor OC)
One of the most respected coaches in the Adelaide Footy League, Boots has led both Old Ignatians and Rostrevor OC to the ultimate success.
Boots coached Old Iggies to a D2 flag over Glenunga in 2021 and followed that up with a solid D1 season before joining ROCS and leading them to a division two premiership in 2024.
TODD BUTLER
(Keith)
Coach during Keith’s only Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara FL premierships, Butler became a well-respected figure in the competition.
Got the best out of the Crows as the club claimed back-to-back premierships in 2007 and 2008, with Tony Modra starring under Butler in season 2007.
GAVIN CHAPLIN
(South Gawler)
One of the top coaches in recent BLGFA history, Chaplin has overseen an impressive period at South Gawler.
A versatile and knowledgeable coach who has helped produce some of the region’s top players, Chaplin has led the Lions to four grand finals and two premierships.
NICK DAVIS
(Mundulla)
One of the KNTFL’s top coaches in recent years, Davis had a strong period of dominance with the Tigers.
Under Davis, Mundulla became a powerhouse of the competition, blitzing opposition to win premierships in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
LUKE DONALDSON
(Goodwood Saints)
A highly regarded coach for Goodwood Saints, Donaldson helped the club to a consistent run at the top of division one.
Donaldson was a dual premiership player with the club and returned to the club as a coach to lead the Saints to a premiership in 2020 and a number of deep finals runs before stepping down in 2023.
DALE EICHNER
(Nairne Bremer, Torrens Valley)
Coach of Torrens Valley for a number of years, Eichner’s arrival at Nairne Bremer has turned the Rams into a top contender in the Hills FL’s top division.
Under Eichner, Nairne Bremer won its first ever division one premiership in 2023 with an upset win over heavy favourite Hahndorf and they went close again last season, losing to the Magpies by a kick.
CLINT GODWIN
(Langhorne Creek)
Now the coach of Brighton Bombers, Godwin spearheaded one of Langhorne Creek’s big runs in the Great Southern FL.
Godwin, a former star player with the Hawks, returned to the club in 2017 and surpassed expectations by taking his side to second on the ladder.
He then coached the Hawks to back-to-back flags in 2018 and 2019.
MATT GOLDING
(Hahndorf)
A highly rated coach for Hahndorf through a number of season, Golding has led the Magpies to five premierships.
Under Golding, the Hills FL juggernaut won four premierships from 2018-2022 and bounced back from a 2023 loss to Nairne Bremer to exact revenge on the Rams last season.
NATHAN GRAINGER
(Mt Lofty, Gaza, Modbury)
A renowned coach who led various teams but had his most success at Mt Lofty in the Hills and Gaza and Modbury in the AdFL.
Grainger led Mt Lofty to back-to-back premierships in 2006 and 2007 before winning a D1 flag with Gaza in 2011 and a D2 premiership with Modbury in 2016.
NATHAN GRIMA
(Glenunga)
While Grima’s tenure with Glenunga ultimately did not culminate in premiership success, the former North Melbourne player and Sturt coach led a drastic turnaround at the club.
Known as a smart coach who could employ defensive or attacking game plans, Grima joined the club in 2021 and took a previously winless Rams side to a division two grand final, a loss to Damian Boots’ Old Ignatians.
He then led the club to its first D1 grand final since 1978 in 2023 and another in 2024, which were ultimately lost to Prince Alfred OC and Port District.
TROY HALL
(Unley)
A seasoned coach who led a number of strong Unley sides in the Adelaide Footy League.
Under the guidance of Hall, the Jets catapulted from division four in 2012 to division one in 2016, winning a premiership in 2012 and losing three more on the way to the top flight.
DAMIEN HERZICK
(Gawler Central, Willaston)
A former North Adelaide assistant, Herzick has led successful periods for both Gawler Central and Willaston in the Barossa Light and Gawler FA.
Herzick’s arrival at Gawler Central sparked a resurgence for the club as he led the Tigers to four grand finals with three losses and a premiership win in 2020.
He most recently coached Willaston to the 2024 premiership and has the Donnybrooks firing again in 2025.
TREVOR HILL
(Goodwood Saints)
A key part of the Saints’ big run of premierships in the 2000s, Hill was integral as a smart coach and inspirational leader in laying the foundation for the club’s period of dominance.
Took over from Kieran Sporn in 2003 and led the club to second in 2004 and a D1 premiership in 2005 before stepping down for coach Trent Mills in 2006.
RICHARD HORGAN
(Tumby Bay)
Coach of Tumby Bay’s only premierships this century, Horgan has had a major impact in the Great Flinders FL.
Developed a highly talented squad, led by star goalkicker Chris Prime, and coached the Blues to two flags in 2007 and 2009 during an era of Cummins Ramblers and United Yeelanna dominance.
SEAN JACKSON
(Adelaide Uni, Broadview, Flinders Park, Rostrevor OC)
One of local SA footy’s top coaches across the state, Jackson experienced a lot of success throughout his time leading clubs in the Adelaide Footy League.
Jackson led a number of contending seasons for Adelaide Uni, Broadview and Rostrevor OC and also won two premierships as the coach of Flinders Park.
BRETT JAMES
(Kersbrook)
Crows and Norwood premiership player Brett James had a huge impact on his hometown club Kersbrook after retiring from the professional level and became a revered coach during his time with the Brookers.
During his tenure as playing-coach, the club reached 15 consecutive finals series, made eight grand finals and won five premierships.
ROGER JAMES
(Barossa District)
Star brother of Brett, Roger James was also no slouch as a country footy coach.
After winning premierships with Kersbrook, James joined Barossa District in the BLGFA as playing-coach, ultimately kicking 143 goals in 79 games and leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back flags in 2012 and 2013.
JAMIE KEMP
(CMS Crows)
One of the Yorke Peninsula’s top coaches of the 21st Century, Kemp has led CMS Crows to multiple flags.
Known as a smart X’s and O’s coach who gets the best out of his players, Kemp helped the Crows to back-to-back premierships in 2012-13 as well as a number of other strong finals runs.
JUSTIN MASCHOTTA
(Tea Tree Gully)
A highly important figure at Tea Tree Gully, Maschotta has coached some of the club’s top players and led the Gullies to multiple flags.
Known for his development of players, Maschotta led TTG to a division one premiership in 2018 and helped the Gullies back up to the top flight with a 2020 D2 flag.
JUSTIN MCCONNELL
(North Gambier)
One of the top coaches in the South East throughout his time with North Gambier, McConnell led the Tigers to the very top on a number of occasions.
Praised for his expertise on and off the field, McConnell won three flags with the Tigers from 2012-2014 and returned to the club to win again in 2019.
GARRY MCINTOSH
(Payneham Norwood Union)
A legend of SA footy, Macca’s arrival at Payneham Norwood Union after a champion career for Norwood has been one of the most integral factors in the club’s Adelaide Footy League resurgence.
Starting as a playing-coach, McIntosh eventually helped the Falcons to back-to-back flags in 2005 and 2006 before leading the club to another back-to-back success in 2013 and 2014.
He also masterminded PNU’s first ever D1 flag run in 2019, as well as its first women’s premiership in 2024.
TRENT MILLS
(Goodwood Saints)
The most successful coach in Goodwood Saints history, Mills had a major impact in D1 for the club.
A smart and stern leader who coached his side to a number of famous wins, Mills took over from Trevor Hill in 2006 and led the club to four consecutive premierships as well as a number of other finals runs for over a decade before departing in 2017.
ROD MITCHELL
(Flagstaff Hill)
A renowned local SA footy coach, Mitchell’s time with Flagstaff Hill could be pointed to as one of the most influential tenures in the community game.
Taking over at the Falcons in 2014, Mitchell took the club from 10th place to premiership contention, eventually developing a number of star players and leading his side to three consecutive flags in 2016, 17 and 18.
GIANNI PETRUCCI
(Reynella, McLaren)
Petrucci is undoubtedly one of the top local SA footy coaches of the 21st Century.
A dual premiership coach with both Reynella and McLaren, Petrucci is well known for his game planning in finals, winning flags with Reynella in 2013 and 2015, as well as two premierships with McLaren in 2022 and 2023 - a club first.
BARRY PILMORE
(Willunga)
One of the great coaches in recent local SA footy history, Pilmore masterminded a run of complete dominance for Willunga in the GSFL.
Pilmore coached the Demons for 12 years and in that period the club played finals every year and competed in nine grand finals, winning six straight from 2004-2009.
CRAIG PITT
(Prince Alfred OC)
A star playing-coach for PAOC through a number of years, Pitt oversaw one of the most successful periods in club history.
Pitt took on the job in 2020 after spending time as assistant coach in 2017 and 2019 and would go on to lead the club to three consecutive division one grand final appearances in 2021, 2022 and 2023 while claiming premierships in 2021 and 2023.
MARK PITMAN
(Kapunda)
A standout coach in the BLG, Pitman led Kapunda to major success.
Pitman was a former star player and took the reins at the Bombers as coach, leading the club to its only two premierships this century, a back-to-back run in 2004 and 2005.
TREVOR POTTS
(Morphett Vale)
Trevor Potts will undoubtedly go down as one of the great local SA footy coaches.
Experiencing most of his success with Morphett Vale in the SFL, winning five premierships in six years with the Emus, including four consecutive from 2004-2007.
Known for his meticulous match preparation and motivation skills, Potts was also named as coach of the SFL’s 125-year team.
JOSH RAMSEY
(Moonta, Port District)
Recently a premiership winning coach with Port District in D1 of the Adelaide Footy League, Ramsey also had major success with Moonta in the YPFL.
A smart tactician who develops players well and gets 100 percent out of his team each week, Ramsey has led Port to two flags in 2022 and 2024 and before that coached the Demons to YPFL flags in 2016 and 2018.
TIM RICHARDS
(Jervois)
Responsible for spearheading one of the biggest dynasties in recent RMFL history.
A reliable game planner and a renowned motivator, Richards helped to build a machine at Jervois, coaching the Bluds to four consecutive flags from 2004 to 2007.
PETER SCHEUFFELE
(Glandore, Rostrevor OC, Flinders Park, Walkerville, Rosewater)
A legendary local SA footy coach, Schueffele had one of the most consistent records across the state.
Lauded as a competitive and fair coach who was a great mentor and always got 100 percent out of his players, Scheuffele was no stranger to making grand finals throughout his coaching career and enjoyed the most success in the 2000s at Flinders Park and Walkerville, winning a premiership with the Reds in 2000 and with the Cats in 2009.
CARL SEMMLER
(Tasman)
One of the top Port Lincoln FL coaches this Century, Semmler spearheaded a major resurgence for Tasman in the competition.
Employing a free-flowing brand of footy around the ground, Semmler led the club to three consecutive premierships from 2013-2015 and laid the foundation for future success.
JADE SHEEDY
(Athelstone)
Now a renowned SANFL League coach, Sheedy’s impact at Athelstone in the Adelaide Footy League was significant.
The Magarey Medallist joined the Raggies originally as playing-coach after his SANFL player days and would eventually led the club to the top division after a number of strong years, winning the division two flag in 2019 and breaking a 23-year drought.
Is known as a top drawer tactician who game plans as well as anyone and gets everything out of his players.
TAITE SILVERLOCK
(Jervois)
Taking over as playing-coach of Jervois in 2020, Silverlock has become an acclaimed leader in the RMFL.
A top drawer player but also a smart tactician and a strong motivator, the Bluds have won flags in 2020, 2021 and 2023 under Silverlock.
SHAYNE STEVENS
(Waikerie)
A former superstar for Waikerie, Stevens oversaw the most successful period in the club’s history as coach.
From 2014 to 2018, Stevens, known as a motivator and meticulous preparer, coached the Magpies to four premierships while just missing out in 2015.
STEVE SUMNER
(Mypolonga)
One of the most respected figures in the RMFL, Sumner has led Mypolonga to premiership success during a rein of dominance by Jervois.
A smart X’s and O’s man who is no stranger to coaching upsets, Sumner led the Tigers to a famous flag in 2017, the club’s first since 1994, and also helped them to an unlikely grand final appearance from fifth in 2023.
MICHAEL TRELOAR
(Cummins Ramblers)
One of Cummins Ramblers’ most successful coaches in recent history.
Treloar was an import figure in the Magpies’ rise in the early 2000s, leading the club to three consecutive premierships from 2003 to 2005 and helping to create a foundation for long term success.
JOSH VATER
(Renmark)
Also a dominant player for Renmark, Vater has coached the greatest period in the club’s history.
A smart footy mind and a natural leader, Vater coached the Rovers to three consecutive premierships in 2019, 2021 and 2022, a grand final in 2023 and another premiership in 2024.
MARK WEAVER
(Gumeracha)
One of the most successful Hills Country Division coaches in recent years, Weaver has spearheaded a major run of silverware for Gumeracha.
Under Weaver, the Magpies have played some of the best footy in the Hills and have won three consecutive premierships in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
LIAM WHITWELL
(BSR Tigers)
Whitwell can arguably be credited with laying the foundation for the BSR Tigers’ reign of terror in the North Eastern Football League.
A coach with a great footy mind and the ability to get the best out of each player, Whitwell led the Tigers to premierships in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
The club would go on to win four consecutive flags after Whitwell’s departure at the end of 2020 under two different coaches - Kane Stewart and Matt Longbottom.
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