Prince Alfred Old Collegians playing-coach Craig Pitt steps down ahead of season 2025

A superstar Adelaide Footy League playing-coach has stepped down after leading one of the most successful periods in his division one club’s history. See why he made the tough call.

One of the Adelaide Footy League’s top coaches has stepped down after leading one of the most successful periods in his division one club’s history.

Prince Alfred Old Collegians playing-coach Craig Pitt has made the decision to relinquish his role due to family and work commitments after five years at the helm.

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.

He steps down as the equal third longest serving A Grade coach in the club’s history while also boasting the most A Grade premierships as playing-coach and most games as A-Grade playing-coach with 106.

Star Prince Alfred OC playing-coach Craig Pitt has stepped down due to family and work commitments. Picture: Ann Marie O'Connor

“It was a very hard decision,” Pitt said.

“I absolutely love the club and I’ve loved coaching.

“They’ve been some of the best five years of my life and I’ve met a lot of great people.

“I’ve got two young kids at home now and I’m also trying to run a business at the same time so something had to give somewhere.”

Arguably the most successful coach in the club’s history, Pitt’s resume speaks for itself.

While the premiership wins and finals runs were major highlights of his time as coach, Pitt said the people involved were what made the experience special.

Craig Pitt (right) with Adam Perryman after the club’s 2021 grand final win over Payneham Norwood Union. Picture: Prince Alfred OC Football Club

“The relationships and development I have got out of it stands out to me,” he said.

“Winning and losing are all part of the highs and lows and of course I look back on the flags but if there was one thing I could take away from my time as coach it would be the people I’ve met, from the administration to the players and everyone else involved.

“It’s about the relationships you build and I’ve made a lot of friendships which will last a long time.”

A dominant player around the ground in his own right, Pitt also looks set to step away from the field for 2025 after a number of wear and tear knee issues.

Cameron Giles and Craig Pitt after winning the 2021 grand final. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“I was actually going to continue playing but then I had an MRI and it wasn’t good,” he said.

“It’s recommended that I stop playing for a while and I’ve said I won’t but come March next year things could always change.”

The Old Reds missed finals for the first time under Pitt in season 2024 after a number of player departures following their premiership win over Glenunga in 2023, but managed to debut a number of new faces this year.

While the star leader admitted he would have loved another crack at a flag, he believed the club was now set for more future success in the top division.

Pitt and his Princes side celebrate their 2023 D1 premiership. Picture: Ann Marie O'Connor

“I’ve definitely missed finals after watching other teams and even the AFL as well but it has still been a really rewarding year for us and some of the development we saw was very exciting,” he said.

“We were a bit inconsistent but we had a very young team compared to previous seasons and had a few guys unavailable in that June and July period as well.

“I think we showed that when we’re at our best we can still compete with the top sides and having a lot of young guys coming through has been really positive.

“It has been great to see the team’s attitude and hunger towards footy continue to grow and they all want to work hard so I’m sure they’re going to be set for success for years to come.”