SANFL ins and outs: South Adelaide overcome loss of Keegan Brooksby with productive recruiting

South Adelaide has been busy in the off-season and is confident it will not only overcome the loss of Keegan Brooksby, but will put a superior team on the paddock this season. See the list changes at the Panthers and every other SANFL club here.

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Ruckman Keegan Brooksby’s second chance at the AFL caught South Adelaide off guard and created some anxious moments for the Noarlunga club.

The Panthers acknowledge the class and dependability of the former co-captain’s service last year, and he was outstanding in his efforts at the contest as well as around the ground with his tremendous work ethic.

There had been no contact from AFL clubs, however, so his signing by West Coast was a surprise. His move back to the national league also dropped a bucket load of pessimism on the Panthers’ premiership chances for this year.

Young Victorian Hayden McLean has signed with South Adelaide. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

That was in November. The Panthers returned to pre-season at Noarlunga Oval a fortnight ago and coach Jarrad Wright’s opinion on his squad is glaring evidence that pessimism has been well and truly eradicated.

“I feel we have a better team this year,” Wright said. “We have replaced the players we lost. Hayden McLean is going to be a very good player for a very long time and Michael Knoll is still a developing ruckman and very competitive.

“We lacked polish in some games last year and needed more (elite) kickers. Emmanuel Irra and Malcolm Karpany offer that, as well as exciting leg speed.

“And we have more talent coming through the ranks. There are probably 10 players from the under 18 side which lost the grand final by five points who are likely to play good league football in the next two or three years. We might find a Liam Fitt in that group who come in and play 10, 12 games this season.”

Wright noted players come and go at every club and said they had to accept that as part of the football food chain.

Oh Captain! My Captain(s)!

Joel Cross and Matt Rose have been named co-captains for the 2019 season ❌🌹👏

READ 📰: https://t.co/RqvLthpQFh#SouthProud pic.twitter.com/pDOONn2bfJ

— South Adelaide FC (@southadelaidefc) January 24, 2019

He said he was proud Brooksby had been given another well deserved opportunity, while also excited for Nathan Kreuger, Tom Sparrow and Jake Tarca after they were picked up by AFL clubs.

But he admits there were some worried thoughts at the Panthers after losing Brooksby.

“There was a bit of a moment (Panthers CEO Neill) Sharpey and I were wondering what we would do,” Wright said. “We spoke with Michael Knoll before the draft and he was waiting on some opportunity at Essendon.

“But he gave me a call the day after the draft and said he didn’t go and was keen to catch up. It was nice to have a player ring you and get on the front foot to look for an opportunity.”

While the Panthers have been productive in recruiting, they will regain Nic Schwarz after he missed last season due to a knee injury. Key forward Sam Overall, who will appreciate McLean’s company in attack, was also sidelined for many weeks.

The Panthers have lost the booming kick of Tom Fields, Tarak Redigolo, Matt Rankine and Cody Szust. Jake Veide had planned to return, but has decided to retire from the SANFL because of injury concerns.

The club announced this week defender Matt Rose will step up and share the captaincy with dual Magarey Medal winner Joel Cross in 2019. Jake Summerton is vice-captain.

All the ins and outs at your SANFL club

ADELAIDE

IN: Matt Wright (Carlton), Shane McAdam (Sturt), Chayce Jones (Launceston), Ned McHenry (Geelong Falcons), Will Hamill (Dandenong Stingrays), Lachlan Sholl (Calder Cannons), Kieran Strachan (Port Melbourne), Jordon Butts (Murray Bushrangers).

OUT: Sam Gibson (retired), Curtly Hampton (retired), Ben Jarman (North Adelaide), Jackson Edwards (Werribee), Harry Dear (delisted), Matt Signorello (Port Melbourne), Kyle Cheney (delisted).

BIG HIT: Matt Wright

WILDCARD: Kieran Strachan

THOUGHTS: Wright returns to the club with a terrific attitude and he will provide leadership, as well as on-field guidance for young teammates. As usual, there will be plenty of interest in how the draftees perform.

 

 

 

Troy Menzel is a handy pick up for the Bulldogs. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

 

CENTRAL DISTRICT

IN: Troy Menzel (Tea Tree Gully/Adelaide), Jydon Neagle (Wodonga), Matthew Neagle (Wodonga), Jaxson Neagle (Wodonga), Darcy Pisani (Norwood), Jonathan Marsh (Sydney University), Damon Robinson (Glenelg), Tim Auckland (Launceston), Michael Ortiz (Port Adelaide).

OUT: Luke Barmby (retired/Golden Grove), John Butcher, Jackson Hately (GWS), Jez McLennan (Gold Coast), Aaron Nietschke (Melbourne), Darcy Fort (Geelong), Ben Nason (Woodville-West Torrens), Jack Hannath, Jacob Templeton, Sam Milne (overseas), Josh Richardson (Salisbury North).

BIG HIT: Troy Menzel

WILDCARD: Jydon Neagle

MISSED: Quality midfielder

THOUGHTS: Losing Fort was a massive blow, but the club has been able to get its hands on a couple of young ruckman desperate to make a name for themselves. Menzel is back where it all began and he gives the Bulldogs experience and class, while the signing of the Neagle brothers is a good story. A few players have switched from other clubs seeking more opportunities.

 

 

Luke Partington gets his kick away for West Coast. He is coming back to play for the Bays. Picture Sarah Reed

 

GLENELG

IN: Cory Gregson (Geelong/returned), Luke Partington (West Coast/Norwood), Liam McBean (returned/overseas), Brad Agnew (returned/overseas), Rulla Kelly-Mansell (Launceston), Jack Kluske (Port Adelaide).

OUT: Terry Milera (retired), Warrick McGinty (retired/Scotch OC), Lachlan Earl (Langhorne Creek/Tanunda), Nick Amato (Uraidla), Tobin Cox (Port Adelaide), Tim Mackenzie (Minyip-Murtoa), Sam Walker (Morphettville Park), Bryce Woolard (Jervois), Damon Robinson (Central District), Tom Corcoran (Port Adelaide), Ben Edwards (Port Adelaide), Sean Davidson.

BIG HIT: Luke Partington

WILDCARD: Jack Kluske

MISSED: Outside pacy midfielder

THOUGHTS: The Tigers finished last season with six successive wins and they have improved their list with the acquisition of Gregson and Partington. The return of McBean and Agnew strengthens both ends of the ground. There is plenty to like about the Tigers’ recruiting.

 

 

Ex- Port Adelaide small forward Jake Neade has found a new SANFL home at Prospect. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

 

NORTH ADELAIDE

IN: Jake Neade (Port Adelaide), Ben Jarman (Adelaide/returned), Campbell Combe (Crystal Brook/returned), Jake Keller (Booleroo Melrose Wilmington/returned), Henry Trenorden (St Peter’s OC/returned), Jack Blair (UNSW Bulldogs).

OUT: Leigh Ryswyk (retired/Barossa Districts), Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide), Boyd Woodcock (Port Adelaide), Robbie Young (St Kilda), Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs), Callum Wilkie (St Kilda), Matt McDonough (Keith), Blake Helyar (Border Districts), Mark Quinn (Border Districts), Ben Darrou (Collegians VAFA), Sam Wundke, Matt Appleton (Port Adelaide).

BIG HIT: Jake Neade

WILDCARD: Jake Keller

MISSED: key defender

THOUGHTS: The outs list is a concern after being hard hit in the draft. As well as losing a couple of young guns, the Roosters will miss Young, Sweet and Wilkie. Sweet emerged as an influential ruckman in the second half of the season and Wilkie established himself as a brilliant intercept mark in defence. Wilkie’s absence leaves a big hole. The signing of Neade is big and Jarman will have benefited from being in the full time system at Adelaide.

 

 

 

Dom Barry will be a Redleg in 2019. Picture Sarah Reed

 

NORWOOD

IN: Dom Barry (Port Adelaide/Glenelg), Dylan Barry (Southern Districts NT), Josh Donohue (returned/Payneham Norwood Union), Cody Szust (South Adelaide), Corey Grove (Spencer Gulf FL), Josh Miller (returned/Myponga/Sellicks), Charlie Hay (Prince Alfred OC/West Adelaide), Mitchell Coles (returned/Barmera Monash), Henry Crauford (Mount Burr).

OUT: Ben Jefferies (retired/Onkaparinga Valley), Matt Fuller (retired), Simon Phillips (retired/Myponga Sellicks), Callum Bartlett (retired), Alex Forster (Payneham Norwood Union), Darcy Pisani (Central District), Caleb Edmead (retired), Patrick Levicki (West Adelaide), Luke Valente (Fremantle), Jacob Kennerley (Geelong), Ben Jarvis (Geelong), Kade Chandler (Melbourne), Harry Viney (Blyth-Snowtown), Anthony Giannini (Payneham Norwood Union), Adam Zeni (Payneham Norwood Union), Isaac Hewson (Kingston), James Siviour (Kingston).

BIG HIT: Dom Barry

WILDCARD: Cody Szust

MISSED: small rebounding defender

THOUGHTS: The Redlegs have lost plenty of experienced big names. Donohue returns to the club to fill the small forward role left vacant by the departure of Phillips, while Dom Barry will thrive working off Panos and Grigg. Szust has moved to The Parade seeking a fresh start and will push for opportunities.

 

 

Connor Rozee during Port Adelaide training at Alberton Oval. Picture Simon Cross

 

PORT ADELAIDE

IN: Cameron Sutcliffe (Woodville-West Torrens/Fremantle), Connor Rozee (North Adelaide), Zak Butters (Western Jets), Xavier Duursma (Gippsland Power), Riley Grundy (Sturt), Boyd Woodcock (North Adelaide), Tobin Cox (Glenelg), Kai Pudney (Woodville-West Torrens), Martin Frederick (Woodville-West Torrens), Matt Appleton (North Adelaide), Tom Corcoran (Glenelg), Lachlan Smith (Woodville-West Torrens), Jack Elsworthy (Kadina), Ben Edwards (Glenelg/Woodville-West Torrens).

OUT: Steven Summerton (retired/Angaston), Lindsay Thomas (retired/Portland), Jasper Pittard (North Melbourne), Jack Hombsch (Gold Coast), Jimmy Toumpas (Woodville-West Torrens), Emmanuel Irra (South Adelaide), Jake Neade (North Adelaide), Dom Barry (Norwood), Will Snelling (West Adelaide), Michael Ortiz (Central District), Jack Kluske (Glenelg).

BIG HIT: Connor Rozee

WILDCARD: Zak Butters

THOUGHTS: Port has picked up a couple of young premiership players from the Roosters who will continue to improve. Like Adelaide, there will be much intrigue in watching the draftees build a case for AFL selection.

 

 

New South Adelaide recruit Malcolm Karpany. Picture: Supplied

 

SOUTH ADELAIDE

IN: Malcolm Karpany (West Coast/Woodville-West Torrens), Emmanuel Irra (Port Adelaide), Kyle Emery (Palmerston/Noarlunga), Hayden McLean (Sandringham) Michael Knoll (Box Hill Hawks).

OUT: Keegan Brooksby (West Coast), Tom Fields (Southport Sharks), Tarak Redigolo (retired/Padthaway), Matt Rankine (retired/Ramblers Murray Bridge), Nathan Kreuger (Geelong), Cody Szust (Norwood), Tom Sparrow (Melbourne), Jake Tarca (Geelong), Alex Moyle (Meningie), Matt Raitt (Padthaway), Scott Taylor (Scotch OC), Robert Irra (O’Sullivan Beach/Lonsdale), Adam Hunter (Mount Compass), Alex Aurrichio.

BIG HIT: Malcolm Karpany

WILDCARD: Michael Knoll

MISSED: Key defender

THOUGHTS: When it was announced Brooksby would be given another AFL opportunity, the Panthers’ premiership hopes were all but written off. But the club has done a terrific job to pounce on a couple of young Victorians eager to prove themselves, and that fuels optimism. Karpany is a handy pick up and along with Irra will give the side exciting pace.

 

 

Sturt won the race for the signature of former Port and Fremantle star Danyle Pearce. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

 

STURT

IN: Danyle Pearce (returned/Fremantle), Josh Patullo (Footscray VFL), Tom Condon (Strathmore).

OUT: Jack Osborn (retired/South Gawler), Shane McAdam (Adelaide), Riley Grundy (Port Adelaide), Jake Veale (NEAFL), Rory Taggert (Mypolonga), Dwayne Wilson (retired).

BIG HIT: Danyle Pearce

WILDCARD: Josh Patullo

MISSED: Key forward

THOUGHTS: Recruiting has been minimal and there are a couple of big losses following the retirement of ruckman Osborn and the drafting of McAdam to Adelaide. It is a good story to have Pearce knock back offers from rival clubs to return to Unley. He will provide the side with experience and class.

Will Snelling has returned to Richmond - his junior SANFL club - after being delisted by the Power. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

WEST ADELAIDE

IN: Chris Schmidt (returned), Will Snelling (Port Adelaide/returned), Patrick Levicki (Norwood), Dallas Willsmore (Hawthorn), Jade Cleeland (Werribee), Reed Stevens (Canberra), Tom Morrish (Ouyen United), Tom Gallaway (North Albury), Jayden Klemke (Collinguille-Glenfield Park).

OUT: Chris Burgess (Gold Coast), Aaron Fielke (retired), Jason Porplyzia (retired), Daniel Webb (retired/Flagstaff Hill), Shannon Green (retired), Izak Rankine (Gold Coast), Jake Wilson (Portland, Victoria), Josh Holliday (Edwardstown), Nick Favretto (Kangarilla), Lachlan Peter (Kangarilla).

BIG HIT: Will Snelling

WILDCARD: Jade Cleeland

MISSED: Key defender

THOUGHTS: The Bloods appear to have done well despite losing some big names to the draft and retirement. The return of Schmidt and Snelling is big and gives the midfield a far greater presence. They will take pressure off Kaine Stevens. Levicki offers experience in defence and there are some handy Victorian signings with the potential to offer plenty.

Jesse Lonergan in action for Gold Coast. He will be a welcome addition for the Eagles. Picture: Michael Klein

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS

IN: Jimmy Toumpas (Port Adelaide), Jesse Lonergan (Gold Coast Suns), Jordan Foote (Sydney Swans), Ben Nason (Central District), Jamieson House (Launceston).

OUT: Paul Stewart (retired), Marc Borholm (retired/Angaston), Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast), Martin Frederick (Port Adelaide), Kai Pudney (Port Adelaide), Daniel Minney (South Clare), Lachlan Smith (Port Adelaide).

BIG HIT: Jimmy Toumpas

WILDCARD: Jamieson House

MISSED: Pacy onballer

THOUGHTS: Getting Toumpas back from Port is an outstanding pick up. Lonergan is a handy signing and House will be determined to prove himself in a stronger league such as the SANFL. Stewart is a loss for the defence and Lukosius’ youthful talents will be missed.