South Adelaide confident it has more depth to chase this season’s SANFL premiership
South Adelaide had a disappointing exit from the finals last season, but the club has recruited well and has more depth and maturity to attack the flag.
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South Adelaide reviewed the elimination final loss to North Adelaide last season and the final-quarter fade-out and quickly moved on.
Panthers coach Jarrad Wright said the club knew what it did wrong and what it did right to get in that position.
Given another similar opportunity, he has no doubt his squad will be mentally stronger and have more understanding of “what a big occasion looks like”.
“North Adelaide had many kids in that game as well, so it is no excuse,” Wright said. “The players who played in that game will be better for it.
“We know our best is good enough. Isolate our list and we feel we are a much better team this year.”
The Panthers lost co-captain and gun ruckman Keegan Brooksby to West Coast. It was a huge blow but Wright still is adamant his squad is stronger physically and mentally, is more mature and has increased its flexibility.
He believes there was not quite the depth needed to push deeper in the finals last season. From that elimination final outfit, there are still 16 players at the club.
And recruiting has been highly productive, attracting Malcolm Karpany and Michael Knoll to the club but the Panthers are still ruing after losing prized Victorian recruit Hayden McLean to the Sydney Swans in the AFL’s supplementary preseason draft.
Emmanuel Irra is back in the navy-and-white jumper after a stint with Port Adelaide as a rookie and returns a superior performer. Karpany and Irra will give the side a new look with their pace and run.
Nick Schwarz can almost be considered a prized recruit as well, sidelined last season due to a knee issue. He has been training well over summer and provides another quality option in the midfield.
“The backline was very good last year and there has been no change to personnel in that area,” Wright said. “We feel we have more speed and polish with the ball and the players we have added provide us with flexibility.
“Probably last year there was a lack of maturity of the group, we had nine debutants and were a little one-dimensional in a few areas. With the likes of Emmanuel Irra, he played back for Port Adelaide for two years, but forward and in the midfield with us before that, so he can play at any end of the ground. Karpany is the same.
“We got it right 75 per cent of the time last year. It is just getting it right in critical moments which unfortunately we didn’t do in that last quarter of the elimination final. We know how we structure up and the personnel we have is good enough on its day. It is just maintaining that for longer.”
GUN RECRUIT
Malcolm Karpany will give the Panthers class and pace — and plenty of run — after being lured to Noarlunga following his delisting by West Coast. He made six AFL appearances and his elite kick will be a valuable weapon.
ONE TO WATCH
After missing last season with a knee injury, Nick Schwarz is something of a recruit for the Panthers. He was in the club’s best midfield before the injury and has had a terrific pre-season. His return gives the Panthers plenty of depth around the ball.
RISING STAR
Hayden Sampson made his league debut last year with a solid game against Port Adelaide. He has had to overcome the disappointment of being overlooked in the national draft but the club has been impressed with his application to pre-season work. The youngster is still developing his craft.
BIG OFF-SEASON
Abe Davis was “flying” in pre-season, according to the club, and has been at the front of the pack in running drills. Key forward Sam Overall has been plagued by injury but he has completed a full pre-season and is in great shape.
2018 SEASON RECALL
Fifth
Best and fairest:
1 Nick Liddle
2 Keegan Brooksby
3 Abe Davis
Leading goalkicker: Nathan Kreuger 22
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