Payneham Norwood Union signs Sam Morris, Mackenzie Bower and Isaac Hewson
A division one Adelaide Footy league club has added a Norwood premiership midfielder and two other former SANFL players as it aims to go all the way in season 2025.
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A SANFL premiership player headlines three signings made by a division one Adelaide Footy League club for season 2025.
Former Norwood midfielder and 2022 premiership winner Sam Morris has joined Payneham Norwood Union after playing 60 League games for the Redlegs.
The 23-year-old will be joined at his new club by former Norwood SANFL League player Mackenzie Bower and reserves player Isaac Hewson as the Falcons push to improve on their preliminary final finish in 2024.
They will also line-up alongside former Redlegs captain Matthew Nunn who will return after a dominant 2024 season with the Falcons.
Coach Jeremy Cini was thrilled to have the three newcomers on-board.
“We’re excited to have the three of them come across for next season,” Cini said.
“Mac and Sam are both juniors of the club and Mac’s family has had a really long history at the club with his three brothers playing here, while Isaac is mates with a few of the guys.
“Sammy comes across as a 23-year-old with SANFL premiership experience and he’s still hungry to have some success.
“Mac is a bit older at 29 but has been at that League level and is a really good on-field teacher, while Isaac is only 24 and keen to have some success at division one level and help the younger blokes.”
PNU put together a strong division one season this year after returning to the top flight at the end of 2023, finishing fifth and defeating both Golden Grove and Sacred Heart OC away from home to meet Port District in the preliminary final.
Cini said his young list would benefit from the experience and he expected minimal departures for 2025.
“I don’t think you can ever put a price on the experience of division one finals for the boys,” he said.
“It will be really valuable moving forward and there’s a really positive vibe heading into next year even after losing the prelim.
“The age demographic of the group is in a good space as well – we’ve got a good mix of that 23 to 25-year-old range and also 26 to 29 or 30.
“From a depth perspective we’re probably as good as we’ve ever been in my time here.”
The division one season should be as competitive as ever in 2025 with a number of clubs boasting big names and talented lists.
Cini remained confident his Falcons could improve and compete after the additions of Morris, Bower and Hewson.
“The competition is going to be tough again, it’s going to be very strong.
“We’re just worried about what we’re going to do to prepare and the exciting thing is the new guys and a lot of our other players are already doing their own thing in preparation for December training.
“We’re keen to hit the ground running and I think we can definitely compete.”
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