Wright man on board for Panthers

NEW South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright will take charge of a team that has shown plenty of promise but yo-yoed for the past five seasons.

New South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright at Noarlunga. Picture: AAP Image/James Elsby

NEW South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright will take charge of a team that has shown plenty of promise but yo-yoed for the past five seasons.

From 2013-17, the Panthers have risen from second-bottom to a preliminary under Brad Gotch, slumped down to sixth, bounced back to a semi-final then returned to sixth spot in Garry Hocking’s sole campaign at the helm.

Missing the finals on percentage last year was disappointing for the club, which finished equal top at the end of the 2016 minor round, only to be bundled out in straight sets.

But Wright is optimistic the Panthers can swing back up the ladder this year.

He is particularly buoyed by the return of ruckman Keegan Brooksby from Gold Coast, the development of several exciting youngsters and an impressive showing in winning the inaugural Fast Footy tournament.

“We’re certainly confident internally that our team’s good enough to really make a crack at making that top five and when you get to September, anything can happen,” Wright said. “I think our (players) one to 25 are pretty strong and then the five to six after that will be up to the juniors to see how they can develop and fill a role if required.

“The focus for us early days (in the season) is to get some wins on the board and hopefully that confidence and belief can start growing.”

Noarlunga is familiar territory for Wright.

He was a former South Adelaide player who later became a midfield mentor under Gotch for two seasons, has also coached Woodville-West Torrens to reserves premierships in 2013-14 and steered amateur club Henley to a division two flag last year.

“I think that (familiarity with South) has helped a fair bit in regards to feeling a bit more comfortable and having relationships with the playing group,” he said.

South has lost some experienced players, including Brede Seccull (Sandringham), Peter Rolfe (Scotch OC), Adam Gulden (NSW),
Xavier Gotch (Echunga), Daniel Bass (Willunga) and Jake Veide (Mount Compass).

But it has retained two long-time stars, Joel Cross and Nick Liddle, and added three players from rival clubs seeking more opportunities – Anthony Biemans (Port Adelaide), Tom Whittlesea and Jake Summerton (Woodville-West Torrens).

Cross has been appointed co-captain along with Brooksby, who looms as one of the competition’s key recruits.

Wright expected five or six youngsters from the club’s under-18s, which have long struggled but won the minor premiership last season, to make their league debuts this year, including Liam Fitt and Nathan Kreuger.

New South Adelaide captains Joel Cross and Keegan Brooksby. Picture: Supplied.

LOOKING AHEAD

GUN RECRUIT

Keegan Brooksby is back at South Adelaide after 14 games in three years at Gold Coast. The ruckman has already made a big impression, getting announced as one of the club’s new co-captains, along with Joel Cross.

ONE TO WATCH

Anthony Biemans played 46 games for Port Adelaide but none last season because the Magpies were regularly stacked with Power-listed that they had to field. The hard-nosed midfielder won Port’s best team man award in 2014, most dedicated in 2015 and most courageous in 2016.

RISING STAR

Left-footed half-forward Liam Fitt has impressed new Panthers coach Jarrad Wright with his game sense, strength, one-on-one contests, ball-winning ability and defensive work. Fitt kicked 27 goals for South’s under-18s last season.

BIG OFF-SEASON

Ben Heaslip has not missed a session, has run personal-best times and looked sharp in both Fast Footy and at training.

The club is hopeful he can take another step in his development as a powerful midfielder this season.

2017 SEASON RECALL

Finished: Sixth

BEST & FAIREST

1. Nick Liddle

2. Joel Cross

3. Matt Rose

LEADING GOALKICKER

Ben Haren 23