The biggest SANFL departures since 2017 and where they play now including Ian Callinan, Chris Schmidt, Jared Petrenko
From premiership captains to leading goalkickers and Magarey Medallists, we’ve taken a look at where SANFL’s biggest departures are playing now.
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Big name departures from the SANFL has been an overriding storyline during the SA football off-season so far, with a large group of players en route to local clubs.
Citing a less intense schedule and better work-life balance, players hitting the latter stages of their careers have been more inclined to hang up the boots at league level.
Amid the exodus heading into next season, we’ve rounded up the biggest SANFL departures since 2017 and where they’re playing now.
Ian Callinan (Central District) – OHA Football Club, Tasmania
Callinan retired from league football in 2015 after a remarkable career with Central District and the Crows – winning four straight premierships, a Jack Oatey Medal, two best and fairest and two leading goalkicker awards at the Bulldogs.
The midfielder/small forward has since joined OHA in his home state of Tasmania.
The 37-year-old was playing-coach of the club in 2020 before sadly suffering a stroke and will now hang up the boots to become outright senior coach.
Kory Beard (Sturt) – Marble Range
Beard called time at Sturt in 2017 after a storied career including back-to-back premiership wins in 2016 and 2017 as a go-to forward.
The 31-year-old moved back home to the Eyre Peninsula before joining Marble Range, going on to win the Port Lincoln Football League’s Mail Medal in 2020 – the first Marble Range player to do so since 2008.
Michael Wundke (South Adelaide, Eagles) – Glenunga
Key forward Wundke signed with Glenunga in 2020 after leaving the SANFL in 2017 and playing for the CMS Crows in the Yorke Peninsula Football League.
He was a stalwart for both the Panthers and Eagles at league level, becoming a three-time Farmer Medallist.
Wundke played a significant part in Glenunga’s journey back to division one this year.
Xavier Gotch (South Adelaide) – Broadview
Although not as coveted league-wide as some in this list, Gotch was a key player for South Adelaide over his 134-game career.
The midfielder was one of the toughest in the contest for the Panthers and won the Knuckles Award for contributing to the most one-percenters in 2014.
Retiring from the club in 2017, Gotch played for Yankalila before signing for Broadview this year.
Steven Summerton (Port Adelaide) – Angaston
Magpies 227-gamer and captain Summerton departed the club at 32 years old in 2018 after a strong career through the midfield.
He won a best and fairest for the club before leading and led it to multiple losing grand finals before leaving to pursue family life.
He has since joined Angaston Football Club, where he still plays.
Brett Eddy (Port Adelaide, South Adelaide) – Traralgon, Victoria
At his best, Eddy was the leading forward in the SANFL competition.
He booted league-high goal tallies in 2016 for South Adelaide and 2017 for Port Adelaide to win two Farmer Medals and also represented the Power in the AFL for three games in 2017.
After hanging up the boots at Port Adelaide in 2018, Eddy moved back home to Gippsland, Victoria where he now plays for Traralgon.
Chris Schmidt (West Adelaide) – Eudunda Roberstown
Schmidt was a key part of the West Adelaide Football Club throughout the last decade, eventually captaining the Bloods to a 2015 premiership, in which he won the Jack Oatey Medal for best on ground.
The midfielder also won two best and fairest awards with the Bloods.
After suffering ongoing injury issues, Schmidt gave the SANFL away in 2019 and has since been a strong asset for a successful Eudunda Robertstown Southern Saints outfit.
Nick Liddle (South Adelaide) – Broadview
Seven-time Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year member Liddle departed South Adelaide and the SANFL in 2019 after a sensational career.
The midfielder was an inspirational leader for the Panthers, leading one-percenters in five separate seasons.
He left to Yankalila in 2019 and has recently signed for Broadview ahead of the 2022 Adelaide Footy League season.
Jack Trengove (Port Adelaide) – Prince Alfred Old Collegians
Trengove suffered an injury-riddled career at Melbourne in the AFL before returning to play for Port Adelaide in 2018 and 2019.
He only played three games before deciding to give the league level away and move locally, heading to Prince Alfred Old Collegians.
He has since managed to stay fit and has dominated for the Reds, leading through the middle to win the Keith Sims OAM Medal and a premiership in 2021.
Jared Petrenko (Eagles, Adelaide) – Hahndorf
Petrenko signed with Hahndorf earlier this year after calling time on a solid career at the top level in 2020.
The small forward had a strong stint with the Crows at AFL and SANFL level after impressing as an up and comer at the Eagles.
He joined Crows teammates Kyle Cheney and Matthew Jaensch at Hahndorf after falling out of love for the game and helped take the club to an A Grade premiership this year.
2021 DEPARTURES
Mitch Grigg (Norwood) – Lobethal
Norwood superstar Grigg decided to hang up the boots after last season, citing more family time and less mental and physical strains as a major factor.
The two-time Magarey Medallist and 2018 Jack Oatey Medal winner had a dominant career for the Redlegs in the middle of the park and will go down as one of the club’s modern greats.
He now moves to Lobethal to pursue a more relaxed lifestyle and an easier work-life balance.
Zane Kirkwood (Sturt) – Tanunda
Sturt premiership captain, four-time best and fairest and two-time Magarey Medallist Kirkwood decided to give the SANFL level away at the end of the 2021 season.
He will head to Tanunda after a flawless career at the Double Blues and leaves as one of the club’s all-time greats.
Chris Curran (Glenelg) – Prince Alfred Old Collegians
Bays premiership captain and 2021 Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year member Curran was recruited by Adelaide Footy League division one premier Prince Alfred Old Collegians earlier this month.
The 29-year-old defender made the move to balance work commitments as a doctor as well as expand his knowledge in coaching.
Paul Puopolo (Norwood) – Virginia
Star small forward Puopolo hung the boots up after his returning season at Norwood this year, deciding to take his talents to Virginia to experience the country footy lifestyle.
He played a key role in the Redlegs’ finals run in 2021 after returning from AFL club Hawthorn.
Other major SANFL departures this year:
Lewis Johnston and Cam Shenton (Norwood) – Broadview
Brad McKenzie (Norwood) – Payneham Norwood Union
Mark Evans (Sturt) – Pembroke OC
Angus Poole and Jake Von Bertouch (Eagles) – Kadina
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