South Adelaide appoints seven-man panel to find departed coach Ron Fuller's successor

FORMER Port Adelaide chief executive Brian ­Cunningham headlines the seven-man panel charged with finding South Adelaide's new senior coach.

FORMER Port Adelaide chief executive Brian ­Cunningham headlines the seven-man panel charged with finding South Adelaide's new senior coach.

The Panthers last week announced Cunningham and Crows development coach Matthew Clarke would be independent consultants to the panel, which also includes club directors David Kappler and Grant Miles, football manager Neill Sharpe, talent manager Tony Bamford and will be chaired by Panthers chief executive Evan Arnold.

South sacked Ron Fuller four years into a five-year contract on August 24.

A statement on the ­Panthers' website said the panel comprised "a high calibre group of people which reflects the importance of this decision for the South Adelaide Football Club".

"The recruitment process has begun and we are ­confident we will secure the absolute best coach for our football team and club," the statement said.

Fuller's successor will be appointed once South's board ratifies the panel's recommendation.

Earlier this month, Arnold told the Southern Times Messenger the club hoped to  have a new coach  by  mid-October.

He said the club planned to speak with Andrew Collins, who is stepping down as coach of West Adelaide at the end of the season.