From the reigning Magarey Medallist to a brotherly reunion – these are the SANFL players to watch when the season starts

Who are the ones you should get excited about in the SANFL? With a season announcement not far away, we’ve looked at the players to watch this SANFL campaign.

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Optimism of the SANFL getting back onto the grounds this season is growing stronger each day and the state league is loaded with quality talent to have fans excited about the state league’s return.

LUKE PARTINGTON (Glenelg)

Reigning Magarey Medallist Luke Partington dominated last season. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Returned to South Australia last season after a stint in the AFL with West Coast and his domination in the midfield was recognised with the Magarey Medal, the competition’s highest individual honour. Amassed numerous possessions and constantly sparked the Tigers into action as they built a premiership season.

DANIEL MENZEL (Central District)

Daniel Menzel had a frustrating time at Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

The highly talented Bulldogs junior is back at the club after a frustrating AFL career with Geelong, where he had four knee reconstructions, and Sydney. Still wants to play on the national stage and while he is known as a clever forward, he intends spending much more time on the ball this year.

RICHARD DOUGLAS (Norwood)

Richard Douglas has joined Norwood. Picture: Sarah Reed.

What a handy pick up for the Redlegs. The veteran played 246 games for the Crows and bagged 164 goals. Not only that, he won a club champion award and was an All Australian nomination. A victim of the Crows’ rebuild, he brings a wealth of experience and class to the Redlegs’ midfield.

RYAN BASTINAC (Norwood)

Ryan Bastinac playing for Brisbane’s NEAFL side.

And another valuable recruit for the Redlegs. Having made 164 AFL appearances with North Melbourne and then Brisbane, he knows how to find the ball in the midfield. Another reason why the Redlegs’ midfield will be an extremely powerful unit this season.

JOEL CROSS (South Adelaide)

Joel Cross in action for South Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley.

The courageous Panthers skipper just keeps on producing. With two Magarey Medals and four best and fairest awards in his trophy cabinet, Cross has proved one of the best players to be lured from interstate. Dangerous whether on the ball or in attack and still has a habit of nailing the high-flying mark.

MATTHEW BROADBENT (South Adelaide)

Matthew Broadbent moved to South Adelaide after he was delisted by Port. Picture: Sarah Reed.

The mail out of Noarlunga is the defender with the elite boot has fitted in well at his new club after being released by Port Adelaide. The Panthers already had some quality in defence, but this bloke will surely prove a favourite with the fans in how he goes about has game.

MITCH GRIGG (Norwood)

Mitch Grigg has been massive for Norwood, winning two Magarey Medals. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Didn’t have his best season last year when he seemed to have taken a few angry pills, but claimed the Magarey Medal in the previous two years. His performance in the losing grand final in 2018 was unbelievable. A class act and ignites games with his powerful bullocking from the packs.

BILLY HARTUNG (North Adelaide)

New recruit Billy Hartung poses for a picture in Prospect, after being signed to the North Adelaide Roosters. Picture: Matt Loxton

Played 76 AFL games with Hawthorn and North Melbourne and has the potential to be an absolute star in this league. His electrifying pace and run will excite the Roosters’ faithful as the club looks to bounce back from a lacklustre season following the entertaining charge to premiership glory.

LIAM MCBEAN (Glenelg)

Liam McBean celebrates his second goal of the SANFL grand final. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Topped the Ken Farmer Medal list last season as the competition’s leading goalkicker, edging out teammate, Mr Accuracy Luke Reynolds. The big full forwards are still an exciting component of the game and they don’t come much bigger in the league than McBean.

JACK HAYES (Woodville-West Torrens)

Jack Hayes has plenty of potential. Picture: Sarah Reed.

This bloke is loaded with potential, now he just needs to have a greater impact on games in attack for longer. He is capable of tearing a game apart with his ability to take the powerful pack mark and he has the skills and class to take rival defences apart.

ABE DAVIS (Sturt)

South Adelaide’s Abe Davis gets a handball away. Picture: Tom Huntley

After opting to leave South Adelaide, he is a crucial pick up by the Double Blues after they lost some talent after last season. A big-bodied midfielder who can create havoc in the packs, he can also drift forward to take the big mark and nail long bombs.

RILEY THILTHORPE (West Adelaide)

Riley Thilthorpe is a potential first overall pick in this year’s national draft. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens.

It would surprise very few if he went No. 1 in the national draft this year. Tall and athletic, the teenager made a massive impression last season with six games in the league side. He kicked three goals against Sturt in his second game in glaring evidence of his incredible talents.

TROY MENZEL (Central District)

Daniel Menzel (right) will play with his brother Troy at Central District. Picture: Tom Huntley

Returned to the Bulldogs last season after stints with Carlton and Adelaide, then a premiership with Tea Tree Gully, and had an influence up forward and on the ball. The signing of brother Daniel has inspired Troy to lift his workrate over summer and had his well prepared for a big season.

ANDREW MOORE (North Adelaide)

Andrew Moore during his time at Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed.

The Roosters fans, craving more of the 2018 form, will be excited to have the experienced Moore back at Prospect Oval. After 55 games with Port Adelaide and five with Richmond, starred with Box Hill and led the club to the 2018 VFL flag. Will give the Roosters a strong presence on the ball and can be used effectively in attack.