Payneham Norwood Union signs Norwood’s Matt Nunn for Adelaide Footy League 2024 season

A reinvigorated Adelaide Footy League club has recruited a SANFL premiership midfielder ahead of season 2024, with more big signings a strong possibility.

A reinvigorated Adelaide Footy League club has signed a SANFL premiership captain as it prepares for its return to division one in 2024.

Norwood 110-gamer Matt Nunn has signed with Payneham Norwood Union after making the decision to retire from SANFL footy at the end of the 2023 season.

The skilled midfielder, who led the Redlegs to a remarkable premiership victory over North Adelaide in 2022, had previously played senior footy with PNU and said he was excited by the opportunity to return.

“I’m obviously really grateful for my time with Norwood – I’d been there since I was an under 12s player, spent 10 years with the seniors and got to captain a premiership,” Nunn said.

Former Norwood captain Matthew Nunn has joined PNU for season 2024. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“I decided to take a step back and just focus on more life things away from footy.

“I’ve got a lot of close mates at the Falcons from my time with Norwood such as Brad McKenzie and the Giannini brothers and my brother Adam won a flag under Gary McIntosh at the club, so I’ve just always been around the club and had a connection.

“It’s a good opportunity to have a fresh start – it’s a new feeling for me and I’m quite invigorated about being around new surroundings and playing div one footy.”

The Falcons had a successful 2023 season after suffering relegation to div two in 2022 but ultimately fell at the final hurdle, losing to Golden Grove in the grand final.

Norwood Coach Jade Rawlings and captain Matt Nunn unveil the mini chimney during the SANFL premiership chimney unveiling at the Brickworks Marketplace in 2022. Picture: Mark Brake

Nunn said he was looking forward to going head-to-head with the Kookaburras and former Norwood players Lewis Johnston, Cam Shenton, Jake Pitman and Josh Glenn, as well as other top tier clubs.

“I’m close with Lewi and Shents outside of footy so it’s going to be interesting going up against them. I’m looking forward to the banter,” he said.

“Competing in division one and getting back in the finals picture would be great, it’s a very competitive div with a lot of strong teams so I’m really excited.

“I’m really looking to bring a lot of leadership and guidance to the club and help out in whatever way I can, and I think if we can get a couple more signings done, and just get the right kinds of people on the bus, we’ll be in a great spot.”

Coach Jeremy Cini (right) welcomes Nunn to the Falcons. Picture: Payneham Norwood Union Football Club

PNU coach Jeremy Cini said Nunn’s impact on the club would be significant.

“To have someone of his experience come in on the back of captaining a premiership just a year ago is massive,” Cini said.

“His leadership is fantastic and he really leads by example as well with his ability in the middle.

“The recruiting playing field is really tough and competitive at the moment so for us to get someone of Matty’s quality is brilliant and a big step moving forward as we look to compete in div one.”