Adam Hartlett will not return as West Adelaide coach in 2025

Adam Hartlett’s West Adelaide SANFL coaching career is over for the 2025 season, as interim coach Sam Elliott will remains in charge.

Adam Hartlett will not coach West Adelaide again this season.

Just a month after Hartlett was granted personal leave to “prioritise his wellbeing’’, the SANFL club has announced he won’t be returning as senior coach this campaign and that interim coach Sam Elliott will remain in charge.

West chief executive Adam May stressed Hartlett had not been sacked and the club would wrap its arms around him, “keep him involved for the rest of this season and help him continue his football development, whether it’s as a coach or administrator’’.

“West Adelaide wishes to advise that, following extensive consideration, the board has made the decision to conclude Adam Hartlett’s coaching duties for the remainder of the 2025 season,’’ the club said in a statement.

“This is not a termination of Adam’s employment. Adam remains a valued part of our club and this decision is being made out of support – both for Adam and the playing group – as we navigate an unpredicted period of reflection and new opportunities for both Adam personally and our club.

Adam Hartlett coaching West Adelaide. Picture: Cory Sutton

“Over recent weeks, Adam has taken some time away from the club to reflect, reset and focus on his personal wellbeing, along with developing strategies to ensure he could position himself as the best coach he can be in the future, which we fully support.

“Adam remains committed to his goal of continuing his career as a head coach and working in football in a senior capacity.

“The club has advised Adam that given the circumstances of a much disrupted 2025, what is important is creating an environment with minimal further disruptions for the rest of this season.

“As part of that, Adam respects the fact that re-entering the coaching role at this stage could potentially destabilise that vision for the playing group.’’

Hartlett, 39, spent three years at West after replacing Brad Gotch as coach in 2023 following consecutive wooden spoons in 2021-22.

He helped the club climb from bottom to eighth last season but it crashed again this year, currently sitting bottom with a 1-10 win-loss record.

May said Hartlett remained a “deeply respected and valued member of the West Adelaide community’’ but that “both parties have agreed that now is the right time to create space for a new coaching direction moving forward’’.

“Adam has poured his heart into this club. He is deeply respected by players, staff and the community, and this step is not a reflection of his commitment or integrity,’’ May said.

“Rather, it is an opportunity to create space for Adam and the team to reset and look ahead with fresh perspectives.

Adam Hartlett (right) with his brother, Port Adelaide SANFL coach Hamish Hartlett, with the Russell Ebert Tribute Match trophy. Picture: David Mariuz/ SANFL

“Sam Elliott has been appointed as interim senior coach for the rest of season 2025 with blessing from both Adam and the playing group.

“We will be prioritising what opportunities this decision creates for both the club and Adam and look forward to further supportive discussions with Adam directly to identify areas of interest and development that lie across areas like football administration, leadership, list management and analysis.

“The board will determine a process for securing a coach beyond 2025 as Adam’s employment contract will come to an end in the next few months.

“We need to ensure that we have the fit for purpose tools in place to set a coach up for success. We know we have ongoing challenges in this space that need to be addressed.

“One we all know is the lack of financial resources hindering our ability to utilise the full salary cap.

“We are working through options on how to realise increased funds for this purpose at the speed of light without compromising on other areas of our club or member offerings.’’

A former Carlton AFL defender and West 2015 premiership player, Hartlett is the older brother of former Port Adelaide star and current Magpies SANFL coach Hamish Hartlett.