Sam Jacobs, Andrew Jarman arrivals mark change in fortunes for Southern Football League

Huge signings including a former AFL star have breathed life back into a local footy league and it could now be set for a rise back to being among the best SA has to offer.

A local SA footy league will see a resurgence it has not experienced for years following a batch of recent major signings, according to its president.

Former star Crows ruck and three-time Showdown Medallist Sam ‘Sauce’ Jacobs joined Flagstaff Hill this week after two years of retirement, while SA footy icon Andrew Jarman will coach Port Noarlunga next year, two moves Southern Football League chief Craig Warman believed will lead a resurgence for the competition.

The additions come just weeks after major names in Reynella’s Cam McGree and Christies Beach’s Aidan Coakley left the league for the SANFL and the River Murray Football League respectively.

“You never like to see guys like that go but it’s always been a policy of ours that we’ll support our lads in any opportunity they want to pursue,” Warman said.

“But the guys who have come in just recently in Jarman and Sauce (Sam Jacobs), it’s fantastic to see.

Former Adelaide Crows star Sam Jacobs has joined Flagstaff Hill for SFL season 2023. Picture: Matt Turner

“They’re bringing more quality and experience to the league and there’s a really big buzz right now – it will only see the competition flourish.”

The SFL is one of the oldest leagues in the state at 136 years and has helped produce top footballers such as Ben Rutten, Michael Doughty, and marquee Port Adelaide signing Jason Horne Francis – who played at Christies Beach.

It also currently houses some of local SA footy’s best talent including Anthony Biemans, Bailey Marshman, Robert Irra, Sam Tharaldsen and Sam Whitbread.

Despite this, the league has dropped in stature statewide, namely due to a perceived lack of quality.

“If you look at the players we’ve produced it’s a damn fine list,” Warman said.

SFL president Craig Warman (right) believed the league would see a major upsurge after recent big signings. Picture: Tom Huntley

“Our women’s and juniors competitions have also flourished – the programs we have in place there are among the best in SA and you see it in the SANFLW where around 19 players have come through just Reynella.

“People have the wrong perception of the SFL, we’re not a big spending league but if you look closely there’s a lot of quality here and the big names who do join really enjoy it.

“I implore anyone who knocks the SFL to come down and have a crack at it, they’ll have a tougher time on the field than they think, and if they look at the facts, the leagues in the southern areas are some of the best in country footy – Southern District has won the most Country Football Championships out of anyone.”

The additions of Jarman as coach of struggling outfit Port Noarlunga and Jacobs – who played 184 games for the Crows – at local footy powerhouse Flagstaff Hill mark a big moment in time for the competition.

SA footy legend Andrew Jarman recently signed with Port Noarlunga as its new coach for 2023 and will attempt to lead a turnaround at the club. Picture: Port Noarlunga Football Club

They have put the league back on the map as a strong destination and have Warman excited for the future.

“For especially Jacobs to believe the league is a high enough quality for him to play in, it says a lot and it opens the door,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned we’re in a really good spot and we expect other names to join as well.

“Our participation rates are heading up at junior and women’s level too and I can only see that continuing to grow.

“We’re very excited for what the future holds.”