SANFL shock after Jacob Surjan sacked as North Adelaide coach

North Adelaide has sensationally sacked coach Jacob Surjan after only six rounds of the 2025 season. Poll: Was it the right call?

North Adelaide Football Club has sensationally sacked coach Jacob Surjan after only six rounds of the 2025 SANFL season.

The Roosters have parted ways with their six-year coach after a troubling 2-4 start to the campaign, which has included a shock home loss to struggling West Adelaide and a 76-point belting by Central District.

A former Port Adelaide AFL player, Surjan, 39, steered North to the 2020 and 2022 grand finals, which it lost to Woodville-West Torrens and Norwood respectively.

But the club hasn’t played finals since losing the 2022 decider to the Redlegs by a point and sits sixth this season – two wins behind fifth-placed Woodville-West Torrens.

Surjan, whose cause this year hasn’t been helped by injuries to key players, including lead ruckman Alex Van Wyk, has been temporarily replaced by another former Port AFL player – Roosters assistant and midfield coach Sam Mayes.

Sacked North Adelaide coach Jacob Surjan addressing his charges. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

In a club statement, North said the sudden coaching change came “following a thorough review of the team’s performance and future direction’’.

President Kris Mooney said the call was made early in the season to “reaffirm the club’s commitment to ensuring the team is best positioned to remain competitive in 2025’’.

“We understand this news may come as a surprise, particularly early in the season,” Mooney said.

“However, after careful consideration, we felt it was necessary to act decisively to give our team the best chance to achieve its full potential this year.”

Mooney extended his gratitude to Surjan for his contributions to the club and recognised the impact on his family.

“We know this is an incredibly tough time for Jacob and his family, as well as our broader club community,’’ Mooney said.

“We sincerely thank Jacob for his dedication and leadership, and we also express our appreciation to his wife Alison and children for their involvement and support.’’

Jacob Surjan (left) with star recruit Angus Schumacher at Prospect Oval this season. Picture: Tim Joy

Mooney said Mayes, who is also an assistant coach with the SANFL state team which will play the WAFL at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, would step straight into Surjan’s role.

“We have full confidence in Sam’s ability to guide the playing group through this transition,’’ Mooney said.

“The board will, in due course, commence the search for a permanent senior coach for the 2026 season and beyond.’’

Surjan is a popular figure in football circles but after enjoying plenty of success in his first few years at North – he was an assistant coach under Josh Carr when the Roosters won the 2018 premiership – he has coached the club to only 18 wins from its past 42 games.

The SANFL has a bye round this weekend because of the state game, meaning Mayes’ first game in charge as interim coach will be against Port at Alberton Oval on Saturday, May 24.

Originally published as SANFL shock after Jacob Surjan sacked as North Adelaide coach