The top 20 SA country footy signings for 2023 ranked
The local country footy season is fast-approaching and plenty of clubs have added to their lists for 2023. We’ve ranked the top 20 player signings in SA country footy – see who made the cut.
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Local SA footy season is fast-approaching and a number of clubs in the state’s country competitions have strengthened their squads significantly.
From former AFL players to local stars, SA’s regional leagues have seen more big names join their clubs than ever before.
With pre-season preparation now underway across the state, we’ve ranked the top 20 SA country footy signings for season 2023.
Here they are starting at number 20.
20. RUNE GILFOY
(Bridgewater Callington to Tanunda)
A former SANFL premiership big man with Sturt, Gilfoy has joined Double Blues teammate and current Tanunda playing-coach Sam Colquhoun at the Magpies for season 2023.
Gilfoy had struggled to stay on the field for Bridgewater Callington in the Hills Football League but should provide strong versatility for Tanunda if he can remain fit.
19. CONNOR MILDE
(Mount Lofty to Onkaparinga Valley)
A gun for Mount Lofty for multiple years, Milde will remain in the Hills Football League but pull on an Onkaparinga Valley guernsey this coming season.
One of the star forwards of the HFL, Milde tallied 47 goals and four best-player performances for Mount Lofty last season and should have a major impact at his new club.
18. AIDAN COAKLEY
(Christies Beach to Tailem Bend)
Christies Beach icon and 250-game player Aidan Coakley has joined Tailem Bend in the River Murray Football League.
A star midfielder who formerly played for South Adelaide in the SANFL, Coakley has been at his best in recent seasons.
He finished runner-up in the SFL Mail Medal count last year.
17. JAYDEN ELDRIDGE
(East Gambier to Penola)
Fresh off of a Mail Medal season in the Western Border Football League, Eldridge’s decision to join Penola marks one of the biggest moves in South East footy.
The star mid was among his side’s best 11 times last season and should provide a major boost to his new club, which finished bottom of the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara FL last season.
16. BYRON SUMNER
(Aldinga to Virginia)
Formerly listed with the Sydney Swans, Sturt premiership player Byron Sumner will pull on the boots for Virginia in the Adelaide Plains Football League in 2023.
A versatile asset who can play in any area of the ground, Sumner should help to replace the departing Paul Puopolo.
15. TOM HUTCHESSON
(Millicent to Hatherleigh)
Hutchesson played the second half of the 2022 Western Border Football League season with Millicent after time with Adelaide in the SANFL and on GWS’ AFL list, winning a premiership with the Saints.
A talented midfielder and forward, Hutchesson’s move to the Mid South Eastern FL should prove to be a major one this season.
14. DYLAN ALDRIDGE
(Proprietary/Risdon to Moonta)
One of the best players in the Spencer Gulf Football League last season, Aldridge marks a significant signing for Moonta in the Yorke Peninsula Football League.
The star forward booted 56 goals, had nine best player appearances and also played in the SA Country Championships last season, while representing Port Adelaide in the SANFL for two league games.
He will complement Moonta star Malcolm Karpany well in 2023.
13. MATT SPENCELY
(Waikerie to Meadows)
Former Adelaide Crows SANFL star and Waikerie club champion Matt Spencely has moved to Hills Football League club Meadows with brother Jake.
A skilful and speedy player who can play both in the midfield and up front, Spencely booted 39 goals for the Magpies last season and was among his side’s best in nine of his 18 appearances.
12. SAM BUCKHAM
(Prince Alfred OC to Padthaway)
A major signing for Padthaway, former Norwood player Sam Buckham has joined the KNTFL after a successful grand final run with Prince Alfred OC in the top division of the Adelaide Footy League.
A skilled forward who can also pinch-hit in the middle, Buckham kicked nine goals and was among the Old Reds’ best in six of his 13 games in 2022.
11. HAYDEN KERNAHAN
(Brighton to Cove)
Currently listed with the Adelaide Crows reserves, Kernahan impressed as a defender for Brighton in the Adelaide Footy League last season but has returned home to Cove in the Southern Football League.
The young gun has continued to develop his game at Adelaide and for his local sides and should provide a big boost for the Cobras this year.
10. JAMES HARGREAVES
(St Peter’s OC to Yankalila)
A long-time star midfielder for St Peter’s Old Collegians in the top flight of the Adelaide Footy League, James Hargreaves has made a surprise move to Yankalila in the Great Southern Football League.
The Saints champion had another standout season in 2022, kicking 10 goals and accumulating 13 best player mentions in his 19 appearances for the club.
The signing is one of the Tigers’ biggest in recent memory.
9. JOHANN WAGNER
(Cummins Kapinnie to Lincoln South)
Former Central District and Port Adelaide forward Johann Wagner has joined Lincoln South as playing-coach for this coming season.
Wagner has been an extremely dangerous goalkicker in local SA footy since his departure from Port Adelaide, booting 100 goals for Cummins Kapinnie in the Great Flinders Football League during season 2021 and adding 10 in just five games last season.
The 32-year-old is a major addition to the Port Lincoln FL.
8. JARRAD REDDEN
(Woodville-West Torrens to Southern Eagles)
Woodville-West Torrens premiership player Jarrad Redden has joined the Southern Eagles in the Yorke Peninsula Football League after calling time on his SANFL career.
Redden enjoyed a storied career as a mobile ruck for Woodville-West Torrens and played 10 league games last year.
He was a triple premiership player in his 144 games for the Eagles and has joined a host of talent in the YPFL.
7. REECE SLAPE
(Goodwood to Goolwa/Port Elliot)
South Adelaide player Reece Slape has left Goodwood after over a decade with the Adelaide Footy League club and will be playing-coach of the GSFL’s Goolwa/Port Elliot Magpies this year.
The Magpies went winless in 2022 but have recruited well, with the star defender headlining the moves.
Slape played three league games for South Adelaide last season and looks set for another big year.
6. REECE MILSOM
(South Adelaide to Flagstaff Hill)
Milsom has returned to hometown club Flagstaff Hill after playing 14 league games for South Adelaide in 2022.
One of the Panthers’ most consistent and versatile players last season, Milsom averaged 15 disposals a game last season.
He is one of many solid moves made by the Southern Football League club.
5. JESSE O’BRIEN
(St Peter’s OC to Onkaparinga Valley)
Former Brisbane Lions man Jesse O’Brien has left St Peter’s OC and returned to Onkaparinga Valley after a number of sensational years for Saints.
The Adelaide Footy League star was at his best again last season, making the 2022 Team of the Year as he dominated both up front and in the middle.
O’Brien kicked 22 goals and was named among his side’s best 10 times in 15 games.
4. SAM OVERALL
(South Adelaide to Victor Harbor)
Gun South Adelaide forward Sam Overall has returned home to Victor Harbor after a strong career with the Panthers in the SANFL.
A tall and strong target with a reliable set-shot, Overall played 13 league games for the Panthers last season and is currently performing consistently for Nightcliff in the Northern Territory Football League.
He joins Victor Harbor star and former South Adelaide midfielder Jesse McKinnon at the Roos.
3. JARRED ALLMOND
(Woodville-West Torrens to United)
200-game SANFL midfielder Jarred Allmond will be playing-coach of United in the Adelaide Plains Football League this year.
The signing marks one of the biggest moves in country footy this year, with the Tigers failing to win a game in 2022.
Allmond, who was a star for North Adelaide throughout his SANFL career, played nine league games for Woodville-West Torrens last season, averaging 15 disposals.
2. SAM JACOBS
(Flagstaff Hill)
Former Adelaide Crows superstar Sam Jacobs will pull on the red and blue of Flagstaff Hill in the Southern Football League this season, just over two years after retiring from the AFL.
The triple Showdown Medallist remains one of the Crows’ greatest ever ruckmen and should be one of the top performers in the SFL this season.
The move for Jacobs followed the Falcons’ recruitment of Sturt legend Zane Kirkwood as coach.
1. JACK REDDEN
(West Coast AFL to Willunga)
Jack Redden’s move straight from the AFL to Willunga could be the biggest move in local SA footy history and has the Demons sitting as hot contenders for the 2023 Great Southern Football League premiership.
Redden 263-game AFL player, is originally from SA and decided it was time to move home at the end of West Coast’s 2022 season.
The star midfielder produced a strong year, averaging 22 disposals a game and finishing sixth in the club’s best and fairest count.
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