North Adelaide premiership ruckman Alex Barns signs at Adelaide Footy League club Morphettville Park

Recently promoted Morphettville Park has signalled its intent to “climb the divisions” by securing a SANFL premiership ruckman. Here’s why he made the move.

Morphettville Park will not be in division three to make up the numbers.

The recently promoted Adelaide Footy League club has signalled its intent to make a serious dent in division three next season by signing North Adelaide premiership big man Alex Barns.

The 27-year-old, who called time on his SANFL career at the Roosters at the end of the campaign, will reunite at Morphies with brother Chris – a key part of the Roos’ drought-breaking 31-year premiership success last month.

Barns – a Morphettville Park junior – said there were multiple factors for the move, including the growing commitment required to play SANFL football.

North Adelaide premiership player Alex Barns has signed at Adelaide Footy League club Morphettville Park. Picture: Morphettville Park Football Club

Barns celebrates one of his four goals in the 2018 SANFL grand final. The 201cm big man booted 120 majors in 102 SANFL games and led North’s goalkicking in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I went to North with some pretty clear goals about what I wanted to achieve, which were to play 100 games, win a premiership and play for South Australia,” said Barns, who joined North from Port Magpies in 2014.

“It is a big commitment playing SANFL, especially when you’re trying to build a career (outside football) as well.

“And it probably got to a point where I had achieved everything I had set out to and the cons of staying in the environment were starting to outweigh the pros.

“One thing I’ve cherished as much as anything else in my career is playing with Chris at North and the chance to do that again was definitely a big factor (in moving).”

Morphettville Park ended a men’s A grade premiership drought – which extended back to its 1990 Southern Football League title – with a 36-point division four grand final win over SMOSH West Lakes last month.

Morphettville Park’s Edward Doak celebrated with teammates Jack Sutto and Kye Dean in their preliminary final win over Walkerville at Glenelg Oval last month. Picture: Dean Martin

Barns said the club culture at the Roos was contagious and he looked forward to getting back to the “purity” of a local footy club where there was a common goal to have continued success.

But the 102 SANFL-game ruckman and forward believed division three would be no walk in the park.

“It’s where my dad played, it’s where I played my first game of footy and it’s obviously where my brother plays now,” Barns said.

“After not getting a premiership for 31 years and now getting some more guys on board, I think everyone’s pretty excited to keep climbing the divisions, which is really exciting.

“We’re really proud of the club, what it’s building and we want to be able to challenge over the next few years to go through as many grades as possible.

Barns gets set for a ruck battle against Adelaide’s Sam Jacobs. Picture: Tom Huntley

“In saying that, you look at teams like Flinders Park who will have the Schwarz brothers, Golden Grove who have got Cam Shenton and Lewis Johnston just signed up and there’s probably some more big signings to come.

“The top-end talent in the competition is going to be pretty strong.”

Morphettville Park premiership coach Steve Nolis, who will remain at the helm for a second season at the Roos next year, said the club could add more recruits as it planned its 2022 assault.

“We have an expectation that we’ll play finals and see what happens from there,” Nolis said.

“Alex doesn’t want to just cruise around and go through the motions either.

“He wants to make the club successful and see how far we can take this group.

“Especially with the playing group we’ve got. They’re young, hungry and healthy.

“We’re looking to add a bit more talent to that group to make is sustainable for div three and see how far we can take it.”