Top 30 local SA footy signings for season 2024 ranked
The local SA footy season is right around the corner and a number of clubs have bolstered their line-ups with big name recruits, so we’ve ranked our top 30 signings for 2024. See who made the cut.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The local SA footy season will kick off on Saturday, April 13 and a number of clubs across the state have added to their squads with top-end talent.
Ahead of round one, we’ve ranked the top 30 signings.
Here is our list from no. 30 to 1.
30. JOHNNY BORAS
(Broadview)
A goalkicking juggernaut for Imperial in the River Murray Football League, Boras’ decision to join Broadview in division one of the Adelaide Footy League should bolster the Tigers significantly.
Kicking 125 goals in 2021, 77 goals in 2022 and 56 goals in 2023, Boras has consistently been one of the top key forwards in SA country footy and will get the opportunity to dominate for Broadview again after previously playing for the club in 2014.
29. NICK MCGILL
(St Peter’s OC)
Former SPOC star Nick McGill has returned to the club after time with UTS in AFL Sydney.
A star halfback who damages opposition with his efficient disposal, McGill built himself into one of division one’s top players before heading interstate.
28. DYLAN WEAVER
(Gumeracha)
After a number of successful SANFL League years with Central District, versatile player Dylan Weaver has joined reigning Hills Country Div premier Gumeracha for season 2024.
A major signing for the Magpies, Weaver is an excellent user of the footy and can play in a number of roles.
27. LACHLAN PASCOE
(Golden Grove)
Pascoe has joined Golden Grove for the club’s big division one season after time with Norwood’s SANFL league and reserves team.
A strong forward who can take big grabs and kick important goals, Pascoe joins a number of former Redlegs at the Kookaburras including Cam Shenton, Lewis Johnston and Jake Pitman.
26. WILL RIVERS
(Brighton)
One of local SA footy’s big names, Rivers will make his return to the Bombers this season after a number of starring years for Padthaway in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League.
An iconic player at Brighton, ‘Buckets’ is a former captain and premiership player and is coming off of a big season in the South East in which he booted 31 goals in 13 games – predominantly from the middle – and was named among his side’s best on seven occasions.
25. NICK STEELE
(Port Noarlunga)
Forward Nick Steele has joined Andrew Jarman’s Port Noarlunga side after playing a handful of league games for West Adelaide in 2023.
A versatile player with all-round skills, Steele could be the missing piece the Cockledivers need to make finals in the SFL.
24. BEN JARVIS
(Lincoln South)
Norwood premiership player Ben Jarvis made the decision to join local star Johann Wagner at Lincoln South for season 2024 in a move which could help the Eagles to back-to-back premierships.
The skilled forward played nine league games for the Redlegs last season and kicked 10 goals.
A potential forward partnership with Wagner would have other Port Lincoln FL clubs on high alert.
23. JAMES HARGREAVES
(Coorong)
Formerly a dominant star midfielder for St Peter’s OC in div one of the Adelaide Footy League, Hargreaves has joined Daniel Menzel’s Coorong side after a brilliant year at Yankalilla which saw him poll well in the Mail Medal count.
Tallying 12 goals and 13 best player nods in 15 games in the GSFL last season, Hargreaves should instantly be one of the top players in the River Murray FL.
22. STEPHEN TAHANA
(Broadview)
Talented midfielder Stephen Tahana will likely play some games for Adelaide’s SANFL side this season but will call Broadview his local club and should still make multiple appearances for the Tigers in div one of the AdFL.
The skilled onballer has previously played for North Adelaide, Collingwood (VFL), and Sandringham and will undoubtedly give Broadview a boost as the club aims for finals footy.
21. KAINE STEVENS
(Goodwood)
Former West Adelaide midfielder Kaine Stevens has joined Goodwood as the club aims to rebuild after falling to division two.
A big bodied player who can move up the ground to hit the scoreboard, Stevens should be a major boost for the Saints.
The Bloods 100-gamer spent two years with Ouyen in Victoria before deciding to make the move back to SA.
20. RILEY CLAMP
(Hahndorf)
A standout for Adelaide in the SANFL last season, former Strathalbyn forward Riley Clamp has joined Hahndorf for the club’s 2024 HFL campaign.
The Magpies needed to add some pieces after failing to capitalise on their undefeated 2023 minor round and losing to Nairne Bremer in the grand final, and Clamp’s athleticism, marking ability and footy IQ will suit the Hills outfit well.
He booted 29 goals in nine games for Strathalbyn and 15 goals in 14 games for Adelaide last season.
19. CODY SZUST
(Rambler)
Szust joins Rambler in the River Murray Football League after a strong SANFL league season with Port Adelaide.
Tallying 16 league games and 22 goals for the Magpies last season, Szust is a talented forward who can play multiple roles around the ground and is set to provide a major boost for the Roosters in the RMFL.
18. BEN HEASLIP
(Victor Harbor)
South Adelaide midfielder Ben Heaslip joined hometown club Victor Harbor after retiring from the SANFL at the end of the 2023 season and should star for the Roos alongside Bryce Gibbs.
The Panthers 119-gamer played 12 SANFL league games for the club last season and kicked seven goals.
His presence and footy smarts in the middle will be important for his new side.
17. CHRIS HALL
(Henley)
Exciting wingman Chris Hall has joined Henley in division three of the Adelaide Footy League after a starring 201-game SANFL career with Woodville-West Torrens and Adelaide.
The 2011 Eagles premiership player also spent time in the AFL with Fremantle as a teenager and racked up 132 SANFL goals throughout his career.
16. JONO BEECH
(Barmera-Monash)
Barmera-Monash made a statement in the off-season by signing former Crows and West Adelaide player Jono Beech after claiming a flag in the 2023 Riverland FL season.
The big target forward played three AFL games for Adelaide between 2016 and 2017 and booted 148 goals in 129 SANFL games for the Bloods.
He will now return to his hometown club and should be a favourite to lead the goalkicking this season.
15. KANE SHERLOCK
(Henley)
Fresh off of a 17-game SANFL league season with West Adelaide, 21-year-old defender Kane Sherlock marks a major pick-up for the Sharks.
Sherlock was a standout for the Bloods last season, finishing top 10 in the best and fairest and winning the Keith Reynolds Memorial Trophy for best first year player.
14. ANDREW BRADLEY
(Kybybolite)
Bradley has joined Jack Trengove in moving to his junior club in Kybybolite after a spectacular AdFL division one season which saw him claim a premiership with Prince Alfred OC.
The former Glenelg star and premiership player can fill a number of roles at the back or in the midfield and will be a key player for Kyby in the KNTFL.
13. JOEY HAINES
(Port District)
South Adelaide’s best and fairest player of season 2022, Haines made the decision to join Port District in division one after a 137-game career with the Panthers.
A hardworking defender who can take big grabs, distribute well and also play through the middle, Haines has impressed in the pre-season and will be one to watch this year.
12. ISAYA MCKENZIE
(Willaston)
A standout SANFL player for Central District and Adelaide throughout a number of years, McKenzie has signed with Willaston in the Barossa, Light and Gawler FA for season 2024 after playing some games for the club last year.
McKenzie excels as a midfielder and forward and is set for another big year with the Donnybrooks.
11. CAMERON CRAIG
(Keith)
One of two big name signings for Keith this year, reliable defender Cameron Craig has joined the Crows after a 167-game career with North Adelaide which saw him win a premiership and vice-captain the club.
A smart and skilled defender who will be able to perform against anyone in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League, Craig should be one of the standouts of the competition in 2024.
10. MATT ROSE
(Port District)
The former South Adelaide captain was the first big signing of the off-season for Port District and his leadership and ability in the contest should prove more than handy for the club as it aims for another div one premiership.
A workhorse with plenty of experience, Ross will fit the team nicely and joins stars like Joey Haines, Sam Gray and Scott Lycett.
9. JESSE WHITE
(Broadview)
White will return to Broadview in season 2024 after moving to North Adelaide and making a brief cameo for the Tigers in 2023.
The ruck/forward utility was dominant for the club in its 2022 division two season and should play a major role as the Tigers aim to play division one finals this year.
8. MATTHEW NUNN
(Payneham Norwood Union)
The star Norwood premiership captain made the decision to join his local club after retiring from the SANFL, marking a major coup for the Falcons.
A skilled and courageous midfielder who can tear a game apart on his day, Nunn will join a number of other ex-Norwood guns at PNU including Jed Spence and Tom Wagner.
7. MATTHEW BROADBENT
(Henley)
Henley needed to go big in the off-season after dropping down to division three of the Adelaide Footy League and acquiring former Port Adelaide gun Matt Broadbent to play alongside recruits Chris Hall and Kane Sherlock was perhaps the biggest move the club could make.
A supremely talented player who can fill a number of roles for the Sharks, Broadbent looks set to lead his side to flag contention this year.
6. BRETT TURNER
(Echunga)
Turner made the decision to join Echunga in the Hills Football League after retiring from SANFL level and should prove to be a major pick-up for the club which finished ninth last season.
The big bodied midfielder proved he can compete with the state’s best for both the Crows and Glenelg and will undoubtedly be one of the HFL’s top players in 2024.
5. JACK TRENGOVE
(Kybybolite)
Trengove has made the decision to return to his junior club in the South East after four seasons, a Keith Sims OAM Medal and two premierships with Prince Alfred OC.
The superstar midfielder was in dominant form last year as his club stormed to another flag and he will bring significant experience and skill to the Tigers in the KNTFL.
4. AARON YOUNG
(Keith)
2022 Magarey Medallist Aaron Young made the decision to join Keith after retiring from the SANFL at the end of the 2023 season.
The former Port Adelaide and North Adelaide star is a machine through the middle and will give Lewis Hender’s Keith side a major boost along with former Roosters teammate Cameron Craig.
3. DANIEL MENZEL
(Coorong)
Former Geelong, Sydney and Woodville-West Torrens star Daniel Menzel signed with the Coorong Cats in the River Murray FL after playing a few games for Padthaway in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara FL last season.
Menzel will player-coach the Cats and should help the club to premiership contention almost instantly.
A dominant forward who can also play in the contest, Menzel should also be a big chance for the Mail Medal if he remains fit.
2. BRYCE GIBBS
(Victor Harbor)
The former gun Carlton and Crows midfielder has signed with Victor Harbor two years after winning the Magarey Medal with South Adelaide.
A supremely skilled onballer who can also fill a number of other roles, Gibbs will fit in nicely at Victor Harbor alongside former Panthers teammates Sam Overall and Ben Heaslip.
1. SCOTT LYCETT
(Port District)
Lycett’s arrival at Port District is a move which should have major implications for the division one season in the Adelaide Footy League.
The former AFL premiership player is set to play in the ruck and up front for his new club after it fell short in the 2023 finals series.
A dominant big man who can take over a game, Lycett should combine brilliantly with fellow star signings Matt Rose and Joey Haines, as well as Port District star Sam Gray.
Originally published as Top 30 local SA footy signings for season 2024 ranked
Through the fire: How Rioli found happiness after ‘very dark days’
Willie Rioli’s best footy comes when he’s happy according to his cousin Dean – but there was serious doubt he’d ever get back here. MATT TURNER tells the Port star’s story of perseverance.
Read more
Eight years since Port’s last loss to Sydney: Where are they now?
Port has the wood over Sydney – in fact, the Swans haven’t beaten the Power in eight matches. So where are the players from that Swans win in round 20, 2016, now?
Read more