The 2022 ins and outs for every Adelaide Footy League division one club
The 2022 Adelaide Footy League season is just around the corner, here’s the full guide to every division one club’s arrivals and departures ahead of round one.
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The 2021-2022 Adelaide Footy League off-season has seen an influx of ex-AFL and SANFL talent for division one clubs.
Names like Sam Gray (Port District), Brad McKenzie (Payneham Norwood Union) and Chris Curran (Prince Alfred OC) have all entered the division for season 2022.
Overall, more than 70 players have come and gone from the top flight, with clubs eager to bolster their forces heading into what is set to be one of the most competitive years yet.
Here is the complete guide to arrivals and departures for every division one club.
BRIGHTON BOMBERS
The Bombers have resisted making wholesale changes to their list after finishing eighth last season and will rely on development of younger troops according to coach Brett Blackwell.
A few additions have been made, mainly through recruitment of interstate players, and the club will be without star veteran Will Rivers, who retired at the end of 2021.
“We played 49 players in A Grade last year, I want to develop that talent and give those guys an opportunity first,” Blackwell said.
“We’re still obviously for competing at a high level with the strongest clubs in division one but it’s about that development too.”
In: Harry Crossley (Victoria), Hudson Laycock (Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs, NSW), Tarik Illingworth (Victor Harbor), Hayden Kernahan (Cove, Adelaide SANFL)
Out: Will Rivers (retired)
GLENUNGA RAMS
Coach Nathan Grima said the 2022 season would be a challenging one for the Rams, with big-name departures marking the off-season of one of the newest division one clubs.
Both James and Michael Wundke have hung their boots up, as well as Tom Beard, the retirees joining three other players in departing the club.
“We’ve been able to bring a couple guys in but it’s going to be a tough year for our lads,” Grima said.
“There’s been huge improvement from our group on the track but it’s just been extremely hard to recruit to a promoted team with no old scholar connection.”
“Of our arrivals, Luke Holian hasn’t played an A Grade game since 2019, Tom Bielby took last season off and Sam Smith has been through back-to-back ACL reconstructions. We’re going to need other players to support these guys as they get back into the swing of things.”
In: Sam Smith (Sturt), Tom Bielby (Tea Tree Gully), Luke Holian (Strathmore, Victoria)
Out: James Wundke (retired), Michael Wundke (retired), Andy Read (retired), Tom Beard (relocating, WA), Will Staples (relocating, NSW), Justin Bonney (Yorke Peninsula), Dylan Smith (Port Lincoln)
GOODWOOD SAINTS
Goodwood put strong thought into its recruitment for season 2022 after missing out on a grand final appearance last year.
The Saints have lost Anthony Dempsey but bring in SANFL experienced players Angus Rana and Kyle Kirk to bolster their fast-developing side.
Football director Andrew Forrest said the club was confident of improvement across the board.
“We see the team’s improvement coming from our younger group of players including Jakob Heitmann, Sam Laube, Will Clarke, Tom Carlson and Jack Luders,” Forrest said.
“Add to this the return of Zac Sanderson from injury and some quality recruits, we can be in a position to challenge all comers this season.”
In: Angus Rana (West Adelaide), Kyle Kirk (West Adelaide), Blake Read (Westminster OS), Tom Perin (Bendigo), Harry Nolen (Mildura)
Out: Anthony Dempsey (retired)
OLD IGNATIANS
Last year’s division two winners were unfortunate to lose star player Cam Ortlepp at the start of the off-season as he moved for work, but have brought in Kristian Roocke from Payneham Norwood Union to fill the void.
Coach Damian Boots said he was confident the team could take the next step and compete in division one.
“We’re really trusting of this group, especially with Kristian in. It’s an unknown but I’d like to think we’ll be competitive for any team,” Boots said.
“From a list perspective we’ve been unfortunate to lose Cam, who was best on ground in our grand final win, but Kristian will be massive for us – he’s a quality player.”
Iggies have also lost Joseph Parnis, who is currently pursuing a career in water polo with Australia.
In: Kristian Roocke (PNU)
Out: Cam Ortlepp (North Gambier), Joseph Parnis (Australian water polo team, unavailable for 2022)
PAYNEHAM NORWOOD UNION
It has been an off-season of change for PNU after the club went down to Prince Alfred OC in last year’s grand final.
Coach Jace Bode decided to step away from the role and has been replaced by Jeremi Cini, who comes from the Eagles in the SANFL.
Patrick Levicki, Anthony Wilson, Kristian Rooke and a handful of others leave the club, but former Norwood star Brad McKenzie and South Adelaide’s Ben Sawford join.
It remains to be seen whether these additions can take the club to another premiership after last season’s disappointing end.
In: Jeremy Cini (coach, WWT Eagles), Brad McKenzie (Norwood), Ben Sawford (South Adelaide), Harry Viney (Lobethal)
Out: Liam Davis (retired), Sam Baulderstone (retired), Nick Jolly (interstate), Dylan Auciello (SA country), Kristian Rooke (Old Ignatians), Max Hodges (Norwood), Patrick Levicki (Pembroke), Anthony Wilson (Port Adelaide Power)
PORT DISTRICT
Port’s off-season was as big as anyone’s, with the arrival of new coach Josh Ramsey and some experienced star names.
Sam and Tom Gray join the Magpies’ ranks for season 2022, with Sam most recently playing for the Swans in the AFL after his storied SANFL and AFL career with Port Adelaide.
The club has also picked up a few more SANFL-experienced players to soften the blow of a small exodus to start the off-season.
The club’s list looks, on paper, well-poised for a strong 2022 and a possible finals push.
In: Josh Ramsey (coach), Sam Gray (Sydney), Tom Gray (Maffra), Ben Millman (Scotch OC), Cooper Gafney (WWT Eagles), Tom Schmusch (WWT Eagles), Nick Moore (WWT Eagles)(Port Adelaide contracted 2022), Doz Jenner (Mallee)
Out: Harrison Hawkins (Mannum), Kuiam Gibuma (North Clare), Josh Turner (North Clare), Jack O’Neill (North Clare), Brayden Cebulski (SMOSH West Lakes), Ryan Foster (SMOSH West Lakes)
PRINCE ALFRED OC
The Old Reds have brought in two SANFL-experienced names for season 2022 as it aims for back-to-back flags.
Norwood’s Sam Buckham and former Glenelg captain Chris Curran join the club, offsetting key departures such as Tyson Brazel (North Adelaide) and Lochie Charlton (Norwood).
Coach Craig Pitt said the club was confident in its list.
“We’re looking really good. We’re showing really good depth,” Pitt said.
“Chris (Curran) has fit in really well – he’s a natural leader – and Sam (Buckham) has been the same.”
The club will also look to league best and fairest Jack Trengove to continue his dominance this season.
In: Sam Buckham (Norwood), Chris Curran (Glenelg)
Out: Tyson Brazel (North Adelaide), Lochie Charlton (Norwood), Tom Bartlett (retired), Jake Pitt (Leopold Geelong), Tom Fisher (Lucindale), Bryce Woolard (Alice Springs)
ROSTREVOR OC
New ROC coach Ben Watkins said the returns of Paul Fantasia and Timothy Baccanello were the highlights of an otherwise quiet off-season for the club.
“We’re going to be looking at developing a lot of kids who’ve been coming through, we’re happy with that, and having Fantasia and Baccanello locked in is great,” Watkins said.
“We’ve had a few injuries so far and pre-season has been tough with Covid interrupting at times.
“Overall, we’re happy with the list, really happy with some of the guys we’ve got coming through.”
In: Paul Fantasia (returning), Timothy Baccanello (returning)
Out: Craig Holm (retired)
ST PETER’S OC
After losing a preliminary final against rivals Prince Alfred OC last season, SPOC has added to its list in a big way.
Former Sturt premiership forward Jake Sutcliffe has joined, along with multiple others from the SANFL and across the Adelaide Footy League.
Matthew Claughton has moved to Salisbury North, while Hugo Fahlbusch-Moore will take a year off.
Sutcliffe said he was looking forward to playing with his new side.
“I’m in a good spot to be able to attack the season and help St Peter’s win a flag,” he said.
“I’ve never beaten Prince Alfred either and that was one of the major factors in my decision. I want to beat them with my mates at Saints.”
In: Jake Sutcliffe (Sturt), Ben Belperio (Norwood), Mason Neagle (North Adelaide), Michael Pope (Jervois), Jack Kelsh (Strathalbyn), Brett Russell (Flinders Park)
Out: Matthew Claughton (Salisbury North), Hugo Fahlbusch-Moore (year off)
TEA TREE GULLY
Popular star Alex McKay returned to Tea Tree Gully as playing-coach this year and had strong courage in the club’s list as it aims for a finals spot.
The club has added Golden Grove’s Ryan Spittle to the mix, as well as Nathan Cox who returns from Gaza, and Tyler Martin out of Norwood’s SANFL squad.
“Ryan (Spittle) and Nathan (Cox) are past premiership players and Ryan is probably the best small forward in the comp,” McKay said.
“I’m looking forward to getting around them and the rest of our additions and achieving some success.”
TTG missed out on finals last season but is focused on being in premiership discussion after their successful off-season recruitment this year.
In: Alex McKay (playing-coach, Labrador FC), Ryan Spittle (Golden Grove), Sam Ciappina (Onkaparinga Valley), Nathan Cox (Gaza), Tyler Martin (Norwood), Jack Bollmeyer (Wallaroo)
Out: Cameron Tiggemann, Chris Foura (Birdwood
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