Norwood premiership coach Jade Rawlings quits the SANFL to return to AFL

Norwood premiership mentor and SANFL state coach Jade Rawlings has sensationally quit the state league competition to join an AFL club.

SANFL powerhouse Norwood has been rocked by the departure of premiership and state coach Jade Rawlings.

Rawlings, 47, quit the Redlegs on Tuesday to join AFL club Fremantle as its backline coach, replacing Matthew Boyd, who has moved to Collingwood.

His shock departure comes less than a month after Norwood won the SANFL minor premiership before losing a classic grand final to Glenelg by five points.

And it has left the Redlegs frantically searching for a new coach.

Dual Norwood premiership coach Nathan Bassett, who returned to the club this year as coaching coordinator, would be the ideal replacement for Rawlings.

Jade Rawlings addresses the Norwood players during this year’s SANFL second semi-final against Central District at Adelaide Oval. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

But he is expected to join AFL club Melbourne as an assistant coach.

Rawlings leaves big boots to fill.

He coached Norwood for four years, winning a premiership in 2022 and leading the club to this year’s minor premiership and a second grand final appearance in three seasons.

The Redlegs missed the finals only once (in 2023) during Rawlings’ reign at The Parade while he coached the SANFL state team in the past two years, posting a 3-0 win-loss record in games against the WAFL and VFL.

He also was named this year’s The Advertiser SANFL coach of the year.

A proud Tasmanian, Rawlings had previous coaching experience with Brisbane, Richmond, Melbourne and North Melbourne following a 148-game AFL career with Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and the Kangaroos.

Norwood chief executive James Fantasia said Rawlings had been “a pivotal figure in the development of our team over the past four seasons’’.

“Jade’s expertise, dedication and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the team’s success,’’ Fantasia said.

“His strategic insights and commitment to player development have left an indelible mark on the club.

“As Jade embarks on this new chapter with Fremantle, he does so with the full support and blessing of our club.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jade for his outstanding contributions and wish him all the best in his new position.’’

Redlegs president Paul Di Iulio said Rawlings, affectionately known as “Twig’’, had “helped bring Norwood back to the forefront of SANFL football’’.

“We thank Twig for his time at Norwood and see this as a fantastic opportunity for him and we wish him and his family all the best for the future,” Di Iulio said.

Jade Rawlings (left) celebrates the SANFL state side’s win against the VFL this year with captain Joseph Sinor. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

Rawlings said it was a tough decision to leave the Redlegs but that he was excited to return to the AFL with Fremantle.

“After a few years away from the AFL system, the more I thought about Fremantle – it just seemed like a perfect fit in so many ways,” he said.

“The backline is my passion area and I can’t wait to work with some outstanding players at Fremantle and the aim is to help them take their game to another level.”

Rawlings described his time at Norwood as “incredible’’.

“Norwood’s had a really positive influence on my life,’’ he said.

“To transition my family to SA to coach Norwood was a big deal and hopefully that reflected our commitment to the club, staff, coaches and players. We have had lifetime experiences that we won’t forget.

“This opportunity at Fremantle really has only emerged over the past week and it’s all happened quite suddenly, but the opportunity to get back involved at the highest level was too good to pass up, particularly with the club I’m going to be working with.

“Norwood’s in a great spot. The five-point loss in this year’s grand final is still very raw but overall the growth of many players and the team being dominant for periods of time this year was so positive.

“The four years have been an unbelievable time in my life, let alone my footy. I will look fondly on my time in SA.”

Apart from Rawlings, Norwood has lost a host of players since the grand final, including 2022 premiership players Matt Panos, Brodie and Mitch Carroll, Luke Surman, Sam Morris and Henry Nelligan.