Dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross signs with Panthers for ninth season
SOUTH Adelaide has established itself as a force in the SANFL and four big guns will return next season as the Panthers chase an elusive flag.
THERE was never any doubt dual Magarey Medal winner Joel Cross would stretch his highly successful career at South Adelaide into a ninth year.
The other member of the Panthers’ dynamic midfield duo, Nick Liddle, has already confirmed his intention to stay and Cross wants to be playing when teammate Brad Crabb makes his 200th appearance.
Defender Crabb is just three games shy of the milestone.
“I’m confident with the direction (coach) Jarrad (Wright) is heading,” Cross said. “I feel we’ve got the ingredients and I absolutely believe we can win the premiership in 2019.
“But it’s about us performing at the right time of the year, getting to the finals and performing on the day.
“No-one would have expected North Adelaide to win the flag, but they put it together at the right time. The Western Bulldogs proved that in 2016.
“You don’t have to be the best team all year, just be the best for four weeks and you can pull it off.”
The Panthers conquered the Roosters in both minor- round games this season, only to fall to the eventual premiers by 20 points in the elimination final. The retention of Liddle and Cross is huge for the Panthers and that’s reflected in the Knuckey Cup with the pair combining to earn eight of the past nine club champion awards.
Gun defender Matt Rose and key forward Sam Overall have also committed for next season.
Strong-marking Overall and Rose, who switched from Port Adelaide in 2014, were hit by injuries this year and spent a lengthy period on the sidelines. Overall broke a bone in his foot in round six and played only two more games and Rose broke a collarbone.
“Sam has been unlucky, but I reckon he is the best forward in the competition,” Cross said. “Rosey is a sensational club man and he has been huge for us.”
The Panthers have also regained Emmanuel Irra after he was delisted by Port Adelaide. Irra played 38 games for the Panthers before being rookie-listed by the Power for two seasons.
Experienced run-with player Jake Veide has also rejoined the club after a season out of the SANFL.
Promising young forward Nathan Kreuger has been lost to Geelong, while Tarak Redigolo, Matt Rankine, Scott Taylor, Alex Moyle and Matt Raitt have left club.
NICK LIDDLE
Games: 175
Goals: 89
Knuckey Cup: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018
Magarey Medal runner-up: 2011
R.O Shearman Medal: 2018
Advertiser Team of the Year: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018
SANFL State Team — 2012, 2013, 2014
JOEL CROSS
Games: 156
Goals: 113
Accolades
Magarey Medal: 2012, 2015
Knuckey Cup: 2011, 2015, 2016
R.O. Shearman Medal: 2015, 2017
SANFL Advertiser Team of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
SANFL State Team: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
MATT ROSE
Games: 135 games (85 South Adelaide)
Goals: 42
Best in Finals: 2016
SANFL State Team: 2018
Sam Overall
Games: 49
Goals: 70