South Adelaide is pleased to announce that senior coach Jarrad Wright has inked a new deal until the end of 2024.

The deal will see Senior Coach Jarrad Wright remain at Noarlunga until at least the end of 2024, meaning his tenure will be the longest since Haydn Bunton, Jr. who served as coach from 1975-1982.

South Adelaide Chief Executive Officer, Neill Sharpe said the Club was confident of the direction it was heading under Wright's leadership.

"We're really pleased to be able to extend Jarrad's time at the club and are excited with the direction going forward," said Sharpe.

"The way Jarrad has been able to develop the football program and the culture of the group over the last four seasons has been outstanding." 

Since taking on the role of senior coach at the end of 2017, Wright has guided the Panthers to three finals appearances in 2018, 2020 and 2021, including back-to-back final series for the first time since 1991/1992, and back-to-back Preliminary Finals, a feat that was last done in 1964/1965. 

Senior Coach Jarrad Wright in action during this years Semi Final against Norwood. Image: SAFC Media

Jarrad Wright said that he was looking forward to continuing in the role.

"I'm really excited to continue on at South Adelaide, it is a terrific club and I am proud to be able to lead them for a further 3 years." said Wright

"To be consistently playing finals shows that we are tracking on the right path and the end result is not far away."

"We have some exciting talent being produced through our pathway and with further improvements to our list and hard work over the pre-season I'm confident we can continue to challenge."

Prior to being appointed as senior coach at South Adelaide, Wright underwent an extensive coaching apprenticeship that included stints as an assistant coach at both Woodville-West Torrens and South Adelaide, guiding the Eagles Reserves to back-to-back premierships and taking control of his own program at Henley Sharks and leading them to a premiership in the Adelaide Footy League.

In 2019 and 2021 Wright was selected as an assistant coach for the West End State team that took on WA. 

Also a talented player, Wright was drafted by the Brisbane Lions with pick 35 of the 2001 AFL National Draft, after leading South Australia's Under-18s, and spent two years on their list through their premiership successes of the early 2000s under the tutelage of the great Leigh Matthews.

Wright's playing career also included over 100 Senior State League games with South Adelaide, Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL) and the Brisbane Lions (QAFL) and an Under-17s premiership with the Eagles.

SAFC Football Department staff changes.

Following the conclusion of the 2021 season the South Adelaide Football Club will undergo some significant change to its coaching and backroom staff.

After 27 years of service Head Trainer Doug Stevens has called time on his outstanding career.

A SAFC Life Member and AFL Merit Award recipient Doug has been a part of the club since its arrival at Noarlunga.

Doug Stevens receiving his Merit Award certificate in 2017. 

Also retiring is long serving League Team Manager Luke Axford.

Luke started at the club as a statistician in 2004 which he did for 2 years before stepping up as the League Team Manager, a position that he has held for 15 years.

Luke and his partner Jackie at the 2021 Knuckey Cup.

The Coaching staff will also undergo change with League Assistants Ben Warren, Chad Simmons, Nick Manhood and Reserves Coach Michael Handby all moving on.

Both Michael Handby (Morphettvale FC) and Nick Manhood (Mt Compass FC) will take up coaching opportunities in the Southern Zone.

South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe thanked all for their contribution to the Club.

“The last two years have been especially challenging for all our staff members and our players balancing the impact of Covid, family, employment and their football commitments.”

“They’ve made a terrific commitment to the Club. The efforts of Doug and Luke are what football clubs are all about. So is the connection that former players such as Ben, Nick and Michael have with the Club they previously played for. A newcomer to the Club Chad too certainly embraced the opportunity.

“We have been fortunate to have them involved and wish them well in their future on and off the football field.”

SAFC Football Department Restructure.

The South Adelaide Football Club has finalized appointments following the restructure of its Football Department to meet the growing demands of SANFL Football competitions.

Former Adelaide Crow Brent Reilly has been appointed to the position of General Manager – Football and Jonathon Parker will return to the football program in the role of Female Football and Football Operations Coordinator.

Brent had a 203 game career with the Crows and has served as an Assistant Coach and Development Coach from 2017 to 2021.

Forced to retire through injury in 2015, Brent joined the SA Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and providing advice and leadership in resilience and wellbeing for athletes and business people.

Jonathon filled the role as SAFC Women’s Football Coordinator from 2018 to 2020 before relinquishing the role to concentrate full-time as Marketing, Media & Partnership Manager.

South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe said it was pleasing to welcome someone of Brent’s calibre to the role and to be able to provide a full-time resource for the expanding female football programs.

“Brent’s had strong AFL playing and coaching experience who will provide significant experience to our football program."

"It’s extremely pleasing to have someone of his standing join the South Adelaide Football Club and support the programs led by League Coach Jarrad Wright, SANFLW Coach Rick Watts and underage programs of Mark Clayton and Bryce Gibbs.

“It’s great to have Jono Parker also return to a role that he previously did such a good job in with the opportunity to now commit greater focus to it.”

Balfours and South Adelaide announce the 2022 recipients of the Balfours Scholarship for aspiring footballers.

The initiative between the Panthers and Platinum Partner Balfours was launched for the 2021 season with Jason Horne-Francis and Gypsy Schirmer the inaugural recipients of the scholarship. 

The Balfours Scholarship, to the value of $5000, will greatly assist the two footballers from the South Adelaide zone with the financial assistance to support their physical preparation for the season with areas such as strength and conditioning, medical and physio, on-field equipment (boots, runners etc) and any technology needs that might aid their development.

At the 2021 Knuckey Cup held on Friday night, South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe announced that the 2022 recipients in U18 Will Verrall (Christies Beach FC) and senior Women’s squad member Brooke Boileau (Mt Compass FC).  

"We're extremely grateful to Balfours that they have decided to again continue to support this great initiative."  

"Balfours are a fantastic partner of South Adelaide and we are extremely grateful for their support."

"These scholarships will greatly assist Will and Brooke prepare the best they can for next season."

Balfours is Australia's oldest baked goods manufacturer having been established by James Calder and Margaret Balfours in Rundle Mall, 1853.

Today, Balfours manufactures and distributes sweets and savouries to all parts of Australia exclusively from its oven door in Dudley Park, South Australia.

Balfours is proudly South Australian family-owned and operated.

South Adelaide Under-18 big man Will Verrall after being announced as the male recipient of the 2022 Balfours Scholarship. Image: Nick Hook Photography

South Adelaide Women's young gun Brooke Boileau announced as the female recipient of the 2022 Balfours Scholarship. Image: Nick Hook Photography

Bryce Gibbs caps off a stellar season by claiming the 2021 Knuckey Cup while Nicole Campbell wins the 2021 Women's Best and Fairest. 

Returning to the SANFL full time, former Blue and Crow Bryce Gibbs has taken out the 2021 Knuckey Cup in his maiden year with the Panthers. 

Gibbs' return to form was confirmed when he was joint winner of the 2021 Magarey Medal along with the Eagles James Tsitas.

Gibbs averaged 27 disposals, six tackles and six clearances in 2021. 

He had eight games with 30 or more or disposals, including two games of 36 disposals. 

Joey Haines finished second and claimed the Mark Rawlins Trophy following another outstanding season, while son of a gun Hayden Sampson rounded out the top three. 

The South Adelaide Football Club also held the 2021 Women's Best and Best and Fairest where Nicole Campbell took out the honours after a big season for the Panthers. 

Having been drafted to the Crows from the Panthers, Campbell was then delisted at the end of 2020, returning to the SANFLW for the whole season. 

Averaging 15 disposals, Campbell's presence was felt in the Panthers midfield.

South Adelaide games record holder Jaslynne Smith finished as runner-up after her best season to date. 

Local product Jaimi Griffen and Montanna McKinnon were both tied for third. 

For the reserves, Jesse McKinnon capped off a consistent season by taking home the J.L. Brown Trophy (Reserves Best & Fairest) ahead of Nic Kraemer 

Nephew of former Panther Trevor Mitton, Luke Mitton took out the 2021 Mark Naley Medal.

Another rising star in Lachlan Hayes finished as runner up followed by Cooper Rogers.

Congratulations to all the award winners on their outstanding achievements. 

See below for a full list of award winners and leader boards from all grades. 

Senior Award Winners

Knuckey Cup (Best & Fairest)
Bryce Gibbs

Mark Rawlins Memorial Trophy (Runner-Up Best & Fairest) 
Joseph Haines

Third Best & Fairest
Hayden Sampson

J.L. Brown Trophy (Reserves Best & Fairest)
Jesse McKinnon

Reserves Runner-Up Best & Fairest
Nic Kraemer 

Onsite Rental Group Fans MVP
Joseph Haines

Best in Finals
Nic Schwarz 

League Trademark Award
Sam Skinner

Flinders University League Most Improved Player
Jason Horne-Francis 

League Leading Goalkicker
Liam Fitt (31 Goals)

Reserves Trademark Award
Jesse McKinnon

Dr Jim Harley/Frank Brown Memorial Trophy (Best Clubman)
Alex Cailotto 

David Kantilla Memorial Trophy (Best First Year League Player)
Mitch O'Neill 

Women's Award Winners

Best & Fairest
Nicole Campbell

Runner-Up Best & Fairest
Jaslynne Smith

Third Best & Fairest
Jaimi Griffen & Montana McKinnon 

Leading Goalkicker
Jorja Hooper (11 Goals)

Flinders University Most Improved
Tahlita Buethke 

Players MVP
Nicole Campbell

Most Courageous
Renee Moon

Coaches Award
Brianna Wedding

Junior Award Winners

Mark Naley Medilist (U18 Best & Fairest)
Luke Mitton

Runner-Up Best & Fairest
Lachlan Hayes

Third Best & Fairest
Cooper Rogers

Leading Goalkicker
Jack Delean (35 Goals)

Flinders University Most Improved
Luke Mitton

Colin & Peter Haines Trophy (Best Junior Clubman)
Dylan Brown

Fred & Mavis Whitwell Trophy (U18 Rising Star)
Arlo Draper

Knuckey Cup Leader Board

1. Bryce Gibbs - 137 votes
2. Joseph Haines - 130 votes
3. Hayden Sampson - 118 votes
4. Sam Skinner - 116 votes
5. Jason Horne-Francis - 112 votes
6. Alex Cailotto - 102 votes
7. Jake Summerton - 101 votes
8. Matthew Broadbent - 99 votes
9. Ben Haren - 93 votes
10. Joel Cross - 92 votes

Knuckey Cup voting: following each game, South Adelaide's senior coaches grade every player on a scale of 0-10 based on their performance during that game. The player who polls the most total votes throughout the season is declared the winner of the Knuckey Cup.

Women's Leader Board

1. Nicole Campbell - 68 votes
2. Jaslynne Smith - 57 votes
3. Jaimi Griffen - 49 votes
    Montanna McKinnon - 49 votes
5. Gypsy Schirmer  - 47 votes
6. Brianna Wedding - 45 votes
7. Tahlita Buethke - 43 votes
8. Soriah Moon - 41 votes
9. Jorja Hooper - 40 votes
    Sophia Flanagan-Sjoberg - 40 votes

Women's Best and Fairest voting: following each game, South Adelaide's senior women's coaches grade every player on a scale of 0-10 based on their performance during that game. The player who polls the most total votes throughout the season is declared the winner of the Women's Best and Fairest.

Reserves Leader Board

1. Jesse McKinnon - 85 votes
2. Nic Kraemer - 77 votes
3. Zac Dumesny - 75 votes
    Sam Hindes - 75 votes
5. Tate Lovering - 74 votes
6. Jake McCreery - 72 votes
7. Fraser Turner - 69 votes
8. Danny Juckers - 65 votes
9. Jack Elsworthy - 61 votes
10. Aaron Douglass - 59 votes

J.L.Brown Trophy voting: following each game, South Adelaide's reserves coaches grade every player on a scale of 0-10 based on their performance during that game. The player who polls the most total votes throughout the season is declared the winner of the J.L.Brown Trophy.

Under-18 Leader Board

1. Luke Mitton - 121 votes
2. Lachlan Hayes - 109 votes
3. Cooper Rogers - 102 votes
4. Dylan Miller- 101 votes
5. Riley Jones - 100 votes
6. Isaac Birt - 99 votes
7. Will Verrall - 87 votes
8. Hugo Hoeck- 75 votes
9. Dylan Brown - 74 votes
10. Nick Schroder - 73 votes

Mark Naley Medal voting: following each game, South Adelaide's junior coaches grade every player on a scale of 0-10 based on their performance during that game. The player who polls the most total votes throughout the season is declared the winner of the Mark Naley Medal.

South Adelaide Football Club to make Football Department changes.

Following the conclusion of the 2021 season the South Adelaide Football Club has restructured its football department to meet the demands of the changing football landscape.

The Club will implement two new positions, General Manager – Football and Female Football/Football Operations Co-ordinator.

As a consequence of these changes Football Manager Warren Ploenges will not be continuing with the Club.

South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe thanked Warren for his contribution as Football Manager for the past five years.

“Warren has had a long association with the Club most recently as Football Manager and is respected throughout football and the southern zone. We wish him all the best for the future.”

Sharpe said the challenges of the greatly reduced SANFL salary cap and the addition of an extra Women’s team in 2022 had forced the Club to review its structure.

“Covid has had a significant impact on the game with the reduction in player payments and now we are looking at having close to 55 female footballers on our SANFLW list. We need to run best practice programs in our Men’s and Women’s both on and off the field, and feel these changes were necessary to allow us to do that.

“Our junior programs will also grow in 2022 with the U16s playing a full season. Next season is shaping up as a busy year, with the SANFL also proposing continued growth in underage programs in future years.”

The Club is looking to make appointments to these positions in the coming weeks.

Bryce Gibbs and James Tsitas claim the 2021 Magarey Medal on Monday evening.

Having made the move to the Panthers at the start of the 2021 campaign, the former Blue and Crow takes home the SANFL's highest individual honour. 

Gibbs was a big factor for the Panthers during their 2021 season, which ended in the Preliminary Final against Glenelg on Friday night. 

Gibbs averaged 27 disposals, six tackles and six clearances in his return to the SANFL on a full time basis. 

He had eight games with 30 or more or disposals, including two games of 36 disposals,

Gibbs becomes the eighth Panther to take home the Magarey Medal with 21 votes. 

The Eagles James Tsitas also polled 21 votes, making it the first tie for the Magarey Medal since retiring Panther Joel Cross shared the 2012 Magarey Medal with Brad Symes.

In his acceptance speech, Gibbs thanked the club and cited his move to the Panthers as a key reason for his reignition of passion and enjoyment for the game. 

"To the South Adelaide Football Club, thank you so much for getting the passion, and the love of footy back for me again"

Gibbs also thanked his wife Lauren for her outstanding support along with his family. 

 

The South Adelaide Football Club congratulates Bryce on his outstanding achievement. 

 

Leader Computers will continue to help the Panthers lead from the front.

The South Adelaide Football Club is pleased to announce that Leader Computers will continue as Joint Major Partner of the Panthers for the next two years. 

Having increased their support of the football club in a difficult year in 2020, the on-going support of Leader Computers will allow the Panthers to invest strongly in their football programs. 

Leader Computers branding which is displayed proudly across the front of the Panthers iconic navy and hoops jumpers, will also be extended to the front of the Senior Women's shorts from 2022.

Leader Computers Chairman Paul Kristoris is delighted to be able to continue their strong support with South Adelaide.

"Leader Computers is again very excited to continue as Joint Major Partner of South Adelaide Football Club," said Paul Kristoris.

"As the largest 100% Australian Owned PC Manufacturer, we are very proud to give back & support one of South Australia’s strongest football clubs."

"We have been involved with the club for many years and could not have more proud of the Panthers, and the fact we are able to continue our support is fantastic."

Paul also served as Chairman of the Club from 1993 to 1996, during the turbulent years of relocating the Club from St Marys to Noarlunga.

"The support of Paul and Theo [Kristoris] and their team at Leader Computers has simply been outstanding for many years" said South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe.

"Much like South Adelaide, Leader Computers share the same key values as our footy club and thanks to their support we can continue to improve our football programs"

"Leader Computers has also allowed us to fully upgrade our football, administration and Jimmy Deane's Bistro PC's to streamline our staff's workflows"

"Through this partnership we have also been able to work with other partners such as Loftus to improve our infrastructure with equipment from Leader."

Leader Computers are Australia's largest Australian Owner PC Manufacturer and sells the extensive range of Leader Notebooks, Tablets, Servers and Desktops Australia wide.

Leader products are sold to Corporate, Government, SMB and individual customers through Leaders extensive list of Computer Resellers.

To find your nearest Leader reseller please visit leadersystems.com.au or to purchase one of Leaders great devices, visit leader-online.com.au

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