The fast-starting local footy signings dominating for their clubs, including Sam Gray, Ben Sawford, Mitch Grigg
The footy season is in full swing and star arrivals are quickly making a mark on their new clubs. These are the standouts in South Australian football.
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South Australia’s local footy season has fully kicked into gear in 2022.
The off-season saw unprecedented player movement in the amateur leagues, with star players from the SANFL as well as local juggernauts switching guernseys.
From Mitch Grigg at Lobethal to Sam Gray at Port District and Ben Sawford at Payneham Norwood Union, local footy fans don’t have to look far to witness the big names in action.
With the season over a month in, we’ve listed the star signings who are making the biggest early splash across SA.
SAM GRAY (Port District – Adelaide Footy League)
Arriving at Port straight out of the AFL and the Sydney Swans’ list, Gray has provided a significant boost for his new club.
Multiple best on ground performances through the middle and forward line have led the club to a top four spot on the ladder thus far.
With Sam Gray and brother Tom both in strong form, the Magpies are going to be hard to stop throughout the rest of the season.
BEN SAWFORD (Payneham Norwood Union – Adelaide Footy League)
Ahead of his side’s matchup against PNU, Old Ignatians coach Damian Boots said Ben Sawford had “been a revelation for the Falcons”, and he wasn’t wrong.
The gun midfielder from Port Adelaide, Glenelg and South Adelaide has dominated the contested ball for the Falcons in each game so far.
His round one best on ground performance in a win against Prince Alfred OC put all of division one on notice and while his side has had a slow start, they’ll be a chance each week with Sawford in great touch.
JORDAN HOULAHAN (Mount Barker – Hills Football League)
Houlahan has fit Mount Barker like a glove since he arrived after time at Essendon and Sturt, kicking goals for fun in the Hills Football League.
The versatile forward has over 10 majors in four games so far for the Roos as his club remains in the top two under Hahndorf to start the season.
His partnership with teammate Damian Hynes up front looks to be one which can take Mount Barker to new heights.
ALEX MCKAY (Tea Tree Gully – Adelaide Footy League)
While the return of Alex McKay to Tea Tree Gully has been a major boost on the field, it is his coaching which has caught the attention of observers so far.
McKay has seemingly slid into his new playing-coach role perfectly at Gullies and his players are on fire.
The club’s forwardline is functioning at a high level under McKay with the team 3-1 after four games and a strong chance to beat Glenunga this week.
JAKE SUTCLIFFE (St Peters OC – Adelaide Footy League)
Former Sturt premiership forward Sutcliffe’s early performances at SPOC have been some of the best a coach could as for.
He kicked five majors in his first appearance and big win for Saints against Rostrevor OC and backed it up the next week with four goals including a winner in the final minute from 50 out against Glenunga.
Sitting at the top of the division one ladder, St Peters looks to be a reinvigorated outfit with Sutcliffe the focal point.
MAX THRING (Pembroke OS – Adelaide Footy League)
Arriving at the Kings from Goodwood around the same time Sturt’s Mark Evans and PNU’s Patrick Levicki signed, Max Thring has arguably been best on ground for the club every game so far.
Pembroke OS sits in the top group on the division four ladder with only two losses and while Evans and Levicki have both impressed, Thring has been the star of the show.
His contested ball work has been hard for opposition to quell, and his ability to hit the scoreboard and create for others is part of why the Kings are playing such effective footy.
JAKE TARCA (Encounter Bay – Great Southern Football League)
Tarca has been nothing short of magnificent at his childhood club, which he returned to in pre-season after playing for at Geelong and South Adelaide.
The versatile star booted eight goals in his first game this year, and has 10 more from three further appearances, with more undoubtedly to come this weekend.
He also has two best on ground performances to boot.
JOSH SCHILLER (Edwardstown – Adelaide Footy League)
Schiller – who won the 2015 SANFL flag with West Adelaide and fellow new arrival Aaron Anderson – has emerged as a star in division three for Edwardstown.
Playing predominantly through the middle, Schiller has produced a performance among Towns’ best each week.
The club currently sits third on the ladder in large part to the performances and guidance from Schiller and Anderson.
TOM SCHWARZ (Flinders Park – Adelaide Footy League)
Signing with the Reds along with brother Nic – who both join brother James at the club – Tom Schwarz’s play has put him among the best players in div three.
Schwarz hit the ground running in the middle from the get-go for Flinders Park this year, standing out in a close win against Westminster OS and then again against Golden Grove and SMOSH West Lakes – some of the best teams in the division.
If Schwarz and his brothers can continue their red hot start to the year, the Reds will be a problem.
MITCH GRIGG (Lobethal – Hills Football League)
Lobethal knew what it was getting in two-time Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg, but the former Norwood champion looks set to perhaps surpass expectations.
The skilled lefty has been a force with ball in hand for the undefeated Tigers and even has a handful of goals to his name to start the season.
Grigg could be the leader Lobethal needs to get back to winning silverware.
SEB KERRISH (Sacred Heart OC – Adelaide Footy League)
While marquee signing Alex Cailotto has been a boost for SHOC, former Glenelg and Woodville-West Torrens halfback/winger Seb Kerrish has been the club’s standout to start 2022.
A crafty player with the ball at his disposal, Kerrish has provided strong run, carry and distribution along the flanks for his new club and is a big reason why it sits in the top four in the early season.
XAVIER GOTCH (Broadview – Adelaide Footy League)
Broadview had a plan of attack in the off-season – sign stars – and while it acquired Nick Liddle and Jared Petrenko, Gotch may turn out to be the best decision the Tigers made in 2022.
The former South Adelaide gun has been the perfect inclusion to the club’s presence inside and he has been able to take over games with his hard-ball attitude and added athleticism.
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