Panthers Set to Celebrate 100th SANFLW Game Milestone

This Saturday marks a significant moment in the history of South Adelaide’s SANFLW program, as the Panthers prepare to play their 100th Hostplus SANFLW League match. Facing top-of-the-table Woodville-West Torrens, the Panthers will become just the third team in league history to reach this milestone—and the first of the competition’s expansion clubs, having entered the league in 2018.

A Legacy Built in Just Eight Seasons

In just eight short seasons, the Panthers have become one of the SANFLW's most successful and consistent clubs. From their debut in 2018, South Adelaide has played finals in every season and is well positioned for another finals campaign in 2025.

Across 99 matches, the Panthers boast an outstanding record of 72 wins, 26 losses, and one draw—a winning percentage of 72.73%. Their lowest finish has been fourth (in both 2021 and 2022), while they've reached five Grand Finals (2018, 2019, 2020, 2023 & 2024) and claimed three premierships (2018, 2019 & 2024), cementing their legacy as a powerhouse.

The club's Development League side has also seen success, reaching three Grand Finals in just four seasons and claiming back-to-back premierships in 2023 and 2024.

Coaching Excellence

The Panthers have been led by three senior coaches during their SANFLW journey.

• Krissie Steen guided South Adelaide to its maiden premiership in 2018 with a dominant 10-1 record.

• Andrew Brockhurst, a former player, took over in 2021 and led the team to finals once more.

• Rick Watts, the club’s most successful and longest-serving coach, has helmed the team in two stints (2019-2020 and 2022-present), achieving a remarkable 56 wins and 19 losses—including finals—for a winning percentage of 74.67%, the highest in SANFLW history.

Two additional stand-in coaches have also contributed: Ryan Skouborg (Round 6, 2022) and Sheldon Currie (Round 4, 2025), both stepping in for Watts due to illness.

Player Milestones and Talent Pathways

Since entering the SANFLW in 2018, 127 players have proudly represented South Adelaide. The honour of being Player #1 belongs to Lauren Buchanan (now Lauren Murray), the club’s inaugural co-captain and dual premiership leader. The most recent addition to the list is Molly Jenkins, who made her debut just last weekend. 

Click here to view the full list of players. 

Click here to view the honour board.

Leadership has played a vital role in shaping the team’s identity over the years. The club has been captained by five outstanding leaders:

• Lauren Murray and Kristi Harvey served as co-captains in the inaugural 2018 season.

• Buchanan led as sole captain in 2019 and 2020.

• Elyse Haylock took over in 2021.

• Bri Cleggett was appointed in 2022 and led until her retirement at the end of 2024.

• Jordann Hickey is the current captain, leading the side through the 2025 season.

South Adelaide has also proven to be a vital talent pathway, with 16 players drafted to the AFLW, a testament to the strength of the club's development. Recent draftees include Brooke Boileau, Alissa Brook, and Holly Ifould in 2023. Click here to see the list of all the Panthers drafted. 

Individual accolades have also been a feature of the program, with six Margaret Nyland Medal winners to date. Notably, Nicole Campbell and Nikki Nield have each won the award twice, while Nield remains the only Panther to have claimed the SANFLW League Best and Fairest.Click here to see the list of all the Margaret Nyland Medal Winners. 

Historic Highlights

The Panthers burst onto the scene in Round 1, 2018, with a commanding win over Glenelg. Hannah Munyard kicked the club’s first-ever goal, as South triumphed 5.4 (34) to 0.6 (6) in front of a big crowd at Magain Stadium. 

Their debut season featured just one loss—against North Adelaide in Round 4—before a dominant run to the Grand Final. On ANZAC Day at Unley Oval, the Panthers held off Norwood to win their first SANFLW flag by five points.

In 2019, under Rick Watts, South again proved formidable, dropping just one of their first eight games and finishing the season with another Grand Final victory—this time over North Adelaide.

The COVID-affected 2020 season saw South fall just short in the Grand Final to an undefeated North Adelaide side coached by former Panthers mentor Krissie Steen.

Brockhurst took over in 2021, guiding the team back to the finals, though their campaign ended with a narrow elimination final loss. That year, Jaslynne Smith became the first Panther to reach 50 SANFLW games.

Watts returned in 2022 amid a string of ACL injuries to key players, yet the team still reached the finals. In 2023, the Panthers topped the ladder again and made their fourth Grand Final appearance, but fell in controversial fashion to Central District.

Driven by redemption in 2024, South powered through the season to finish minor premiers and reached yet another Grand Final. Despite it being controversially played at Norwood Oval—granting their opponents a home-ground advantage—the Panthers claimed their third premiership, further solidifying their status as SANFLW’s most successful club.

Now in 2025, South sit two games clear in second place at the halfway point of the season, poised for another strong run toward finals. In another personal milestone, Jaslynne Smith once again became the first Panther to play 100 SANFLW games. 

The People Behind the Journey

South Adelaide’s 100-game SANFLW journey has been built on the dedication and passion of many—from players and coaches to volunteers, staff, and supporters. Every milestone achieved is a reflection of the collective effort behind the scenes, where countless hours, unwavering commitment, and genuine belief have driven the Panthers forward.

The club also extends its sincere thanks to the Great Southern, Southern, and Kangaroo Island Football Leagues, as well as the zone clubs, whose crucial role in developing and nurturing talent has helped shape the strong pathway that feeds into the SANFLW program. Their ongoing support and commitment to player development have been instrumental in helping young athletes reach their potential and continue South Adelaide’s legacy of success.