The Advertiser names its SANFL team of the past 10 years to celebrate the end of the decade
It has been an intriguing and changing SANFL over the past decade. The quality of the league has remained intact, and The Advertiser has selected the players who have had the most impact during that time.
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The past 10 years have certainly been a decade of change for the SANFL.
They’ve included the Crows and Power entering teams in the state league for the first time, seven different clubs winning the premiership and some breaking big droughts, a commercial broadcast deal, the return to grand finals at Adelaide Oval and, of course, the 19th man saga.
As the decade draws to a close, The Advertiser’s Warren Partland and Messenger football writer Patrick Keam have picked their SANFL team of the 2010s.
Weight has been given towards those who impacted the league for several seasons.
Players such as Glenelg Magarey Medallist Luke Partington, who only have one or two serious campaigns under their belt, were not considered.
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In fact, the Bays are the only club without a player selected as many of their 2019 premiership stars fall in the same boat as Partington.
Likewise, Central District stars James and Chris Gowans, Sturt Magarey Medallist Jade Sheedy and Eagles great Justin Cicolella did their best work in the 2000s and only played a couple of seasons this decade.
And, despite the SANFL increasing the interchange to four players for the first time next season, the bench has been aptly contained to three.
FULL-FORWARD
Simon Phillips
(Norwood)
At his best, Phillips was arguably the most dangerous small forward the league has seen this decade.
He was a crucial member of Norwood’s 2012-14 three-peat and led the Redlegs’ goalkicking in 2015.
Phillips has booted 149 goals across 231 SANFL games.
Michael Wundke
(South Adelaide/Eagles/North Adelaide)
He’s played for three clubs, but also has three Ken Farmer Medals.
It is difficult to argue with Michael Wundke spearheading the attack at full-forward after leading the league for goals in 2011, 2013 and 2014.
Ian Callinan
(Central District/Adelaide)
Among the best interstate recruits lured to the SANFL, Callinan was brilliant in attack or on the ball.
He played in the Bulldogs’ 2010 premiership and captained the Crows’ state league side.
HALF-FORWARD
Lewis Johnston
(Norwood/North Adelaide/Adelaide)
The only player alongside Michael Wundke to have turned out for three different SANFL sides, Johnston’s time in the league has certainly been a journey.
Deployed up forward in his Roosters days, he enjoyed a spot across half-back at Adelaide before settling at Norwood in his most influential role as a ball-winner on the wing.
Johnston averaged 28 touches per game over the past two seasons and could play most positions in this side, but the place as a high half-forward is his.
Brett Eddy
(South Adelaide/Port Adelaide)
Seeing Eddy in full flight for the Panthers was worth the price of admission to Noarlunga Oval alone.
The Victorian crossed the border and won a Ken Farmer Medal with the Panthers before being rookied by Port Adelaide and claiming a second with the Power.
Jono Beech
(West Adelaide/Adelaide)
You could make the case for Beech being the Bloods’ most impactful player across the decade.
He never backed away from a contest and regularly took Mark of the Round contenders.
CENTRE
Chris Schmidt
(West Adelaide)
The heartbeat of the Bloods for many years, the tough midfielder captained the club to their 2015 premiership glory.
He earned the Jack Oatey Medal for his best-on-ground performance - a fitting reward for a bloke who gave the club 100 per cent every game.
Mitch Grigg
(Norwood/Adelaide)
Redlegs star Grigg rose to prominence as a member of the 2013 flag-winning side and finished third in the Magarey Medal the same season.
Grigg went on to claim back-to-back Magarey Medals and also produced one of the greatest individual performances of the decade with a six-goal, 31-disposal masterclass in the 2018 grand final loss to North Adelaide.
Steven Summerton
(Port Adelaide)
Season after season, the midfielder amassed possessions and used the ball extremely effectively with his elite kicking.
Summerton led Port with class and was another who gave his all for the club.
HALF-BACK
Paul Thomas (C)
(Central District)
Captained the Bulldogs to the 2010 flag and led by example with his extremely competitive, inspiring attitude.
He attacked the contest and ball without fear and left everything on the field week-in, week-out.
Thomas also captained the state side and gets the nod as skipper for this team of the decade.
Keiran McGuiness
(Norwood)
The key defender led the Redlegs to the 2013 and 2014 premierships and was a regular member of The Advertiser Team of the Year.
He was a class act as a captain and rarely beaten in defence.
Luke Jarrad
(Eagles)
The Flash, a premiership player with the Eagles in 2011, was outstanding in defence throughout a lengthy career at Woodville Oval.
His speed and run were important assets for the Eagles, as well as his extraordinary consistency.
He was also vice-captain of the state team.
FULL-BACK
Tom Keough
(West Adelaide)
Keough was an extremely honest and reliable performer for the Bloods.
His work in defence was crucial in the march to premiership glory in 2015.
Rarely beaten and the flag was deserved reward for his tremendous qualities and impact on the club.
Ryan Ferguson
(West Adelaide)
His attitude and class in defence were a constant and he led the Bloods for four seasons, including 2012 when they played in the grand final.
Ferguson was rarely beaten deep in defence and even kicked a few goals.
He earned a Fos Williams Medal as SA’s best player in a state game.
Jace Bode
(Norwood)
Bode played in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 flags for the Redlegs and had a massive influence in the hat-trick.
He gave the Redlegs plenty of drive from defence, as well as leadership, and also captained the club.
RUCK
Sam Baulderstone
(Norwood)
Many quality ruckman have come and gone in the SANFL in the past 10 seasons, but there has only been one constantly at the top of the list.
Baulderstone has four The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year nods to his name since 2014 and is a two-time premiership player at the Redlegs.
Zane Kirkwood
(Port Adelaide/Sturt)
He has two Magarey Medals, two premierships and is an inspirational leader to boot.
Kirkwood has to feature in this side and his dominant best earns him a starting spot on the ball.
Joel Cross
(South Adelaide)
Widely respected and super talented for state league level, Cross is a lock.
One of four dual Magarey Medal winners in this side, Cross may not have achieved the ultimate team success with the Panthers, but his individual performance and accolades are unquestionable.
INTERCHANGE
Nick Liddle
(South Adelaide)
There have not been many players more consistent this decade than Panthers fan favourite Liddle.
His five Knuckey Cups and seven The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year selections speak for themselves, as well as the 2018 R.O. Shearman Medal – the best player award voted on by the coaches.
James Allan
(North Adelaide/Norwood)
Allan may have his detractors, but two of the former Roosters champ’s Magarey Medals came in the 2010s and he cannot be ignored for this side.
Few SANFL players this decade are more suited to the label “ball magnet” than Allan, who also claimed a premiership medal after moving across to The Parade.
Kory Beard
(Sturt/Port Adelaide)
A spot on the bench as a swingman is well deserved for two-time premiership Double Blue Beard.
He was influential as a key defender with the Magpies before doing the same at Sturt when he moved clubs in 2014.
Beard was then swung forward by Marty Mattner to play a crucial role in the Double Blues’ back-to-back flags in 2016 and 2017.
COACH
Michael Godden
(Woodville-West Torrens)
While Norwood’s Nathan Bassett and Sturt’s Marty Mattner are more decorated with two premierships to their names this decade, former Woodville-West Torrens coach Michael Godden claims the role on a longer-term impact.
He led the Eagles to the 2011 flag and was unlucky to not add another in grand final losses in 2015 and 2016.
The Eagles did not miss the finals once in Godden’s eight seasons in charge.
