Scott Thompson, Mark Evans, Ben Watkins among Adelaide Footy League big coaching moves

From a former AFL great to returning premiership players – there’s been a flurry of coaching changes in the Adelaide Footy League. See all the key moves.

There has been no shortage of senior coaching changes in the Adelaide Footy League coaching ranks since the end of the season.

There’s been a flurry of Adelaide Footy League coaching moves ahead of 2022 season.

DIVISION ONE

PAYNEHAM NORWOOD UNION

2021: Grand finalist

New coach:Jeremy Cini

Replacing:Jace Bode (2020-2021)

It was a sought-after job and Jeremy Cini was selected as the man to take the Falcons forward after Jace Bode’s departure.

Cini, who joined after being a part of the highly successful Eagles premiership winning set up in the SANFL, has inherited a strong side that has already been bolstered by the addition of Brad McKenzie.

Expectations will be high at Payneham Oval once again following this year’s grand final defeat, but Cini has the runs on the board to have PNU shape up as a force in the top flight once again.

TEA TREE GULLY

2021: 5th

New coach: Alex McKay

Replacing:Justin Maschotta (2017-2021)

Justin Maschotta has left TTG after five years in charge. Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette

Alex McKay is one of three premiership players who have returned to the Wolves. The former skipper has played in Queensland the past two seasons. Picture: Richard Gosling

It has been three years since Alex McKay lifted the cup aloft alongside coach Justin Maschotta for Tea Tree Gully’s first ever division one flag.

Now the Wolves premiership skipper has returned to the Adelaide Footy League club to take the reins from his former mentor.

McKay – who appeared Angie Kent’s season of reality show The Bachelorette – will lead Tea Tree Gully as playing coach in 2022 after three seasons away in Queensland.

It comes after The Messenger revealed last month he would come back to play as Maschotta left the Wolves to take up a position in Central District’s academy program.

ROSTREVOR OLD COLLEGIANS

2021: 6th

New coach:Ben Watkins

Replacing: Will O’Malley (2019-2021), Nick Murphy (2021)

Ben Watkins coached Adelaide University the past two-and-a-half seasons but has returned to lead ROC. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

A fresh but familiar face will head up division one stalwart Rostrevor Old Collegians in 2022.

Former Adelaide University coach Ben Watkins – a 2003 ROC premiership player – has assumed the role from Will O’Malley and Nick Murphy.

The playing co-coaches stepped due to time, family and work commitments but will still pull on the red and black.

Watkins will be tasked with helping ROC rebound from a disappointing end to the recent season.

PORT DISTRICT

2021: 7th

New coach:Josh Ramsey

Replacing:Simon Maddern (2018-2021)

Josh Ramsey (middle) has been named the new coach of division one Adelaide Footy League club Port District. Picture: Port District Football Club

Another top tier mainstay which has made a big change is Port District.

Magpies great Simon Maddern called time following the season and Josh Ramsey has taken charge.

Ramsey has spent the past three seasons in the SANFL system with West Adelaide, first as reserves coach before graduating to league assistant under Brad Gotch this year.

District has already had a big win in the off-season landing ex-Port Adelaide and Sydney player Sam Gray along with his brother Tom.

DIVISION TWO

ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY

2021: 9th (division one)

New coach: Graeme Kellett

Replacing:Ben Watkins (2019-2021)

With Adelaide University parting way with Watkins and his move to ROC, the door opened up for reserves coach Graeme Kellett to take the top job at the Blacks.

The former Uni and North Adelaide player coached the B grade this season.

Kellett’s key objective will be to relaunch the relegated Blacks back into division one, where it spent the past nine seasons.

UNLEY MERCEDES

2021: 10th (division one)

New coach:Scott Thompson

Replacing: Adam Jeffries (2020)

Former Adelaide Crow Scott Thompson was an assistant at Unley Mercedes this season but will step up into the top job at the Jets in 2022. Picture: Tom Huntley

The biggest name on this list is none other than Crows great Scott Thompson.

With 2020 mentor Adam Jeffries departing after a competitive but battling season in the top flight, the 308 AFL-game midfielder takes over at Kingswood Oval.

The Jets have shown their might in division two on previous occasions but hoping to just get back to winning ways under Thompson following just three wins in the past two campaigns.

BROADVIEW

2021: 6th

New coach: Matthew Burgess

Replacing:Nathan Grainger (2019-2021)

After three years in charge of the Tigers, Nathan Grainger has made way for Matthew Burgess to take the mantle.

Burgess, a former Broadview, West Adelaide and Glenelg player, arrives with coaching experience at Yankalilla and Brighton.

The Tigers made a splash last week by securing the signature of former South Adelaide great Nick Liddle, whose experience should be a great addition to a young group.

SALISBURY NORTH

2021: 7th

New coach:Eugene Warrior

Replacing: Joe Hay (2019-2021)

2013 grand final coach Eugene Warrior is back at the Hawks. Picture: Matt Turner

Eugene Warrior will coach Salisbury North once again – eight years after his last stint.

With club great Joe Hay moving on after three years in the job, Warrior has resumed the reins at Bagster Road with the ambition of driving the Hawks back up to the top flight.

The ex-Crows, Port Magpies and Norwood player last coached North in 2013 when it fell to ROC in the division one grand final replay.

ATHELSTONE

2021: 8th

New coach: Alex Guy

Replacing: Chris Radetti (2020-2021)

A Raggies junior and former senior player from 2010 to 2017, Sturt assistant coach Alex Guy will head up Athelstone next season.

He replaced Chris Radetti, who coached the past two years.

The Raggies will also have a $10 million upgrade to Max Amber Sportsfield completed by next season in what should be a fresh start for the north-east club.

DIVISION THREE

SCOTCH OLD COLLEGIANS

2021: 9th (division two)

New coach: Will James

Replacing:Kym Cobb (2017-2021)

Coaching Announcement Dear Rampant Lions and Scotch Football community, It is with pleasure that the SOCFC announces...

Posted by Scotch Old Collegians Football Club on Friday, October 15, 2021

New Scotch Old Collegians coach Will James says the club is in a strong position, despite its relegation to division three.

The Pulteney premiership mentor has taken over from five-year coach Kym Cobb, who led the Lions to their 2018 third tier flag.

“Although we’re going down a division, Scotch is in a good place,” James told The Messenger.

“The old scholars environment is one I’m very familiar with having been at Pulteney, Pembroke and St Peter’s.

“I’ve had a bit of time off the recharge and reflect now I’m ready to go again.”

Scotch won six games in 2021 and were relegated on percentage.

DIVISION FOUR

PEMBROKE OLD SCHOLARS

2021: Preliminary final

New coach:Mark Evans

Replacing: Nathan Woods (2020)

Retired Double Blues forward Mark Evans will coach Pembroke Old Scholars. Picture: Sarah Reed

After two years of back-to-back finals exits after finishing as minor premier, there will be plenty of pressure for success on new Pembroke Old Scholars coach Mark Evans.

The dual Sturt premiership player and Ken Farmer Medallist was revealed as the Kings’ new mentor last week, taking the reins from Nathan Woods.

Evans told The Messenger he would look to use his SANFL experience to implement a plan to set Pembroke up for long-term success.

WOODVILLE SOUTH

2021: 8th

New coach: Wayne Knowles

Replacing: Brett Hains (2020)

It was a turbulent year for Woodville South which almost ended in relegation but the Cats will hope for more stability under the incoming Wayne Knowles.

He has joined the division four club after spending the past three seasons coaching River Murray Football League club Mannum.

Knowles also spent two seasons as a SANFL assistant to former Woodville-West Torrens coach Michael Godden.