All the latest local SA footy rumours revealed

Multiple country clubs are in the market for top-end talent, while a divisional shake-up could be on the horizon in the suburbs. That and more in this week’s local SA footy Rumour Mill.

Local footy season is fast-approaching and the rumour mill has been swirling across the state’s suburban and regional competitions.

See all the latest whispers right here.

MAGPIES SET TO SWOOP

Hahndorf's Sam Hayden in action against Nairne Bremer in the 2023 HFL grand final. Picture: Mark Liebich

Word on the street is the Hills Football League could play host to a number of big-name former SANFL this season. 

Both Echunga and Hahndorf have been named as likely landing spots for a number of former Crows, some of whom played League football last season, and others who played in different local competitions. 

It’s no secret Hahndorf has been as active as ever in the player market during the pre-season, the Magpies eager to bounce back after last year’s grand final disappointment against Nairne Bremer.

DIVISION MOVEMENT

Rumours of big Adelaide Footy League division changes have started to travel, with a number of clubs in the lower divisions said to be a chance to move up and down. 

While multiple division five clubs have reportedly struggled to recruit numbers and could be a chance to drop down, one of last season’s premiership winners could be looking to move up. 

DANGER SIGNS

One Adelaide Footy League club  could be set to pull out of senior competition this season. 

Word has been traveling that the club in question has faced significant challenges in recruiting players for season 2024 and has seen a number of names leave to other outfits. 

This would mean two clubs could be set to drop out of the league, with Gaza’s future up in the air after it was handed major penalties for years of salary cap breaches this week.

NORTHERN RESTRUCTURE?

There has been word of a restructure of the state’s northern country competitions in recent weeks.

This could include the Barossa Light and Gawler FA, Adelaide Plains FL, Northern Areas FA, North Eastern FL and the Yorke Peninsula FL being restructured to address dwindling playing numbers at many of the clubs in these competitions.

While two clubs in the Adelaide Plains FL – Two Wells and Angle Vale – have seen significant numbers in junior and senior levels of footy due to their proximity to Adelaide, the competition’s other outfits have often struggled with playing numbers in certain grades.

Many clubs in the other northern competitions have also experienced challenges with playing numbers, especially at the junior level.

Rumours of potential mergers between clubs or relocations of clubs to other northern competitions have started to swell as a result.

SHARKS CIRCLING PLAYER MARKET

Matt Broadbent has joined Henley for season 2024. Picture: Michael Klein

Henley has had a fantastic pre-season of recruitment after being relegated to division three of the Adelaide Footy League, signing former Port Adelaide gun Matthew Broadbent as well as West Adelaide’s Kane Sherlock and Adelaide SANFL star Chris Hall.

Word is the Sharks are still active in the market and targeting another major signature from a host of country footy names.

RESURGENCE FOR HILLS CLUB

Bridgewater-Callington will forego senior footy this season but remain as an individual club at junior level. Picture: Bridgewater-Callington Raiders

Bridgewater Callington could be set for a big season 2024 in division two of the HFL, with junior numbers reportedly stronger than expected during pre-season.

The Raiders pulled out of their merger with Ironbank-Cherry Gardens at the end of last season, opting to keep their identity and field junior sides.

While the club won’t play senior footy this year, the word is it is optimistic of fielding two senior sides in 2025.