Veteran stars Gibbs, Broadbent and Rose hang up the boots at South Adelaide

Former AFL stars Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Broadbent and ex-captain Matt Rose will bid farewell to South Adelaide and the SANFL on Saturday.

They have a Magarey Medal, 439 AFL games, two Knuckey Cups, a Fos Williams Medal and four years of South Adelaide captaincy between them.

On Saturday, Bryce Gibbs, Matthew Broadbent and Matt Rose will bow out of SANFL ranks together having had a profound effect on the Panthers.

“All three have made a significant impact on and off the field at our club,’’ South coach Jarrad Wright said.

“They have not only been outstanding players and club men but have helped develop a strong culture and standards and can all look back on their careers knowing they have got the very best out of themselves.’’

Gibbs, 34, will end his high level football career where it started – at the Bay, where Glenelg will be trying to seal the minor premiership.

He is retiring after three years at Pantherland following a glittering 268-game AFL career with Carlton (231 games) and Adelaide (37).

South Adelaide retirees, from left, Matt Rose, Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Broadbent, before their final SANFL games against Glenelg on Saturday. Picture: Ben Clark

The classy midfielder – the son of dual Glenelg premiership defender Ross Gibbs – made his SANFL league debut for the Tigers at age 16 before being drafted by Carlton with the No. 1 pick at the 2006 national draft.

He joined South after falling out of favour with the Crows and retiring from the AFL and won the Magarey Medal in his first season at the club in 2021, tying with Woodville-West Torrens’ James Tsitas.

Gibbs also claimed the Knuckey Cup as club best and fairest winner while helping to steer the Panthers to the 2021 preliminary final, where they were beaten by Glenelg.

He has played 76 SANFL games – 40 with South, 29 for the Tigers and seven for the Crows – but has suffered serious shoulder and hand injuries in the past two seasons.

“My time at South has been very enjoyable,’’ Gibbs said.

“Coming out of the AFL system I thought I had a couple of good years left in me and although we haven’t had the on-field success that we would have liked in terms of winning a flag I don’t think the group is far away.’’

Bryce Gibbs after winning the 2021 Magarey Medal for South Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley.

Broadbent, 33, joined South after being delisted by AFL club Port Adelaide at the end of the 2019 season following 171 games in 11 years.

Starting his SANFL career with Woodville-West Torrens, the hard-running defender made an immediate impact with the Panthers, leading them to consecutive preliminary final appearances and winning the Knuckey Cup.

He was named in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year in 2020 and 2021 and won the Fos Williams Medal as SA’s best player in the state game against Western Australia in 2021.

He was named Panthers’ vice-captain this year.

“I want to really thank the club for helping me fall back in love with the game,’’ Broadbent said.

“I learnt a lot about myself (at South) and grew as a leader and man. Although I didn’t get the elusive ultimate prize (premiership), which I came here for, I walk away a much better person. “

Broadbent, who has twin boys, has played 112 SANFL games – 38 for the Eagles, 12 for Port and 62 for South.

Matthew Broadbent after winning the Fos Williams Medal as South Australia’s best player against Western Australia in the 2021 State game at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Dean Martin.

Matt Rose celebrates kicking a goal for South Adelaide against the Eagles. Picture: Brenton Edwards.

Rose, a former Port Magpie, is retiring after 189 league games, including 50 for the Pies, in 14 seasons following his debut in 2010.

The 32-year-old joined South in 2014 and was named co-captain with dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross in 2019 and sole captain from 2020-22.

The playmaking defender, a dual State player, battled a succession of serious injuries during his career.

He had seven surgeries, including three shoulder reconstructions and one to repair a ruptured biceps tendon.

“I’ve always wanted to push myself to play at the highest level possible for as long as I could and I think mentally and physically I have done that to the best of my ability,’’ Rose said.