South Adelaide premiership skipper Lauren Buchanan is set to lead the Panthers again in 2019.

Buchanan, who co-captained South alongside the now departed Kristi Harvey in 2018, was a clear choice as a stand alone skipper this season following voting from her peers and the coaching group.

Senior coach Rick Watts said that Buchanan was a deserving choice to continue leading South Adelaide's women in his first season at the helm.

"Lauren is a natural leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our group, not only in her football, but how to conduct yourself as a professional sportsperson being a Bay Sheffield winner in 2014," said Watts.

"With Kristi moving to Melbourne, Lauren immediately stepped up and lead from the front right from our first session back in November.

"She has such a great nurturing approach to her leadership with our younger players and is a great role model who drives elite standards with her preparation, work ethic and willingness to learn and develop."

Elyse Haussen will serve as Buchanan's deputy, following a break out SANFLW season in the Panthers inaugural year that saw her named in the SANFLW Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, 2018 leadership group members Emily Woods and Stacey Huddleston will retain their posts, joined by Tonia Fielke, who has impressed on the track on her recovery from a torn ACL.

Haussen, Woods and Fielke all further developed their leadership qualities during the off season working with the Panthers premiership-winning Under-17 girls program as line coaches.

Meanwhile, Huddleston brings a wealth of knowledge to the playing group as a dual SANFLW premiership player.

2019 SAFCW Leadership Group

Captain
Lauren Buchanan

Vice Captain
Elyse Haussen

Leadership Group
Emily Woods
Stacey Huddleston
Tonia Fielke

South Adelaide can reveal that a pair of Panthers are bidding farewell to the club.

Cult hero Jake Veide and fan favourite Alex Aurrichio will no longer be donning the blue and white guernsey in 2019.

Veide had committed to returning to the Panthers in 2019 after spending a year away from SANFL football, but has struggled through injury during the early stages of preseason.

After determining his body would not allow him to play at the high standard he has set for himself in the SANFL, Jake has sadly decided to hang them up for good after 114 games with South between 2009 - 2017 and return to community football.

Big American Alex Aurrichio has also advised the club that he will continue his football journey elsewhere this season.

Alex played eight games for five goals over two seasons in Noarlunga and quickly established himself as a fan favourite with his physical play and trademark mullet.

South Adelaide would like to thank both Jake and Alex for their contribution to the club and wish them well in the next phase of their football careers.

With the first phase of Pre-Season winding down, Panthers TV caught up with Senior Women's coach Rick Watts and 2018 Premiership Co-Captain Lauren Buchanan. #SouthProud

As the Senior Men take a well earned Christmas break, Panthers TV Caught up with Senior Coach Jarrad Wright about how the boys are shaping up! 

South Adelaide is please to announce the signing of key position forward Hayden McLean.

McLean is a physical forward known for his strong contested marking ability and accuracy in front of the sticks.

Prior to joining the Panthers, McLean, who weighs in at a formidable 197cm and 93kg, spent the last season playing alongside former Panther Brede Seccull with Sandringham in the VFL, claiming the club's best first year player award in 2018.

In 13 games for the Zebras, McLean averaged 13.2 disposals, 5.2 marks and 10.3 hit outs, while also slotting nine goals.

The 19 year old also enjoyed an impressive junior career, showcasing good leadership qualities as he captained Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup and served as vice captain for Victoria Metro in the AFL National Championships in 2017.

"Hayden is an imposing key forward who has played some strong VFL footy despite being just 19 years of age," said senior coach Jarrad Wright.

"Losing Nathan Kreuger to Geelong left us with a hole to fill up front and we really believe Hayden can play a nice role for us in the forward half.

"He is a very strong pack mark and should provide some good support for Sam Overall up front, taking catches and helping provide our smalls with plenty of opportunities.

"He is a big boy and he has pinch hit in the ruck for Sandringham and Vic Metro in the past, but we see him ideally as a strong forward target."

Join us in welcoming Hayden to Noarlunga!

Are you #SouthProud in 2018?

The South Adelaide Football Club congratulate Helen Franson, Andrew McIntyre & John Griffen on being Inducted as Life Members.

On Monday Night Helen Franson (pictured above left), Andrew McIntyre (pictured above right) and John Griffen (absent) were awarded life membership at the 2018 Annual General Meeting.

Helen answered an advertisement in the Messenger newspaper 12 months after the Panthers moved to Noarlunga in 1995. Helen has served as the minute Secretary to the South Adelaide Board for 8 years and to the Panther Club for 6 years. She has also been involved with fundraising efforts for the South Adelaide Cheerleaders and the 'Ladies Canteen'. However, Helens most notable role has been helping on game days in the Panther Club Canteen, and serving on the Panther Club committee for the last 12 years.

Former South Adelaide Player Andrew 'Macca' McIntyre has held a number of key Roles within the club over the journey. Macca's involvement with the Panthers extends far beyond his 39 league matches between 1981 to 1985. From 2008 to 2017 he was the Vice Chairman of the South Adelaide Board, and has been an outstanding sponsor of the Panthers with MRS Property.

John 'Griffo' Griffen began his connection with the Panthers in 1972, where he played 7 league games before being selected in an early form of the draft - National Service. He returned to the Panthers as reserves coach from 1988 to 1990. In 2004 Giffo assisted with the development squads until 2005. He would then return to the Junior Pathway by coaching the U15 Country development squad from 2010 to 2014. Griffo is an outstanding advocate of the Southern Zone, and in 2010 was made GSFL Ambassador. In 2014 Griffo was awarded a SANFL Award in recognition of over 30 years of coaching.

"Helen, Andrew and John have been, and continue to be outstanding servants of the Football Club in their various roles." "It's people like this that make a Football Club, and we thank them for their service." said Chief Executive Officer Neill Sharpe.

Congratulations Helen, Andrew and John!

South Adelaide are pleased to announce the signing ruckman Michael Knoll.

Knoll, who weighs in at 205cm and 100kg, joins the Panthers after spending two years with the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL.

Prior to his time at Box Hill, the 25-year-old spent four years playing collegiate basketball with St Ambrose University in Iowa.

"After Keegan was drafted by West Coast there was a key need to bring in some tall timber into our squad," said senior coach Jarrad Wright.

"Michael has great size and is an exceptional athlete for someone his height. He moves really well around the ground and has a great leap at the footy. 

"Coming from a basketball background he is still developing his craft, but we see great potential in his game in giving our midfield first use of the ball and taking some good catches around the ground."

Join us in welcoming Michael and his wife Tiffany to South Adelaide!

Are you #SouthProud in 2018?

• 2019 memberships available now!

The fixture for South Adelaide's senior men and women has been revealed for the upcoming 2019 seasons.

The Panthers get their SANFL Statewide Super League campaign underway at the newly named Flinders University Stadium against Central District on Saturday, March 30. 

Meanwhile, South's senior women kick things off earlier in the New Year, as they unveil their premiership flag on Friday, February 15 against Sturt at Flinders University Stadium.

South Adelaide supporters will get a double dose of Panther action four times in 2019, with four triple/double-headers scheduled with the senior men's and women's programs.

Highlights for the men's fixture include an Easter Saturday clash with the Crows and a blockbuster match up with Grand Finallists Norwood on the Queen's Birthday Monday public holiday.

Meanwhile, the women's program kicks off with four consecutive Friday evening games, including a Grand Final rematch with the Redlegs in Round 2.

Click here to view the full League fixture

Here are the key points of the Panthers SANFL fixture

• SANFL season opener - Round 1 vs Central District at Flinders University Stadium (Saturday March 30 1:10pm)
• Three confirmed televised games: Round 3 vs Glenelg, Round 4 vs Adelaide and Round 8 vs Eagles
• Easter Saturday game vs Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium (Saturday April 20 2:40pm)
• Queen's Birthday game vs Norwood at Flinders University Stadium (Monday June 10 2:10pm)
• Four triple/double-headers with the women's team: Round 1 (Central District), Round 3 (Glenelg), Round 4 (Adelaide) and Round 6 (West Adelaide)
• Indigenous Round vs Eagles at Flinders University Stadium (Saturday July 13 2:10pm)
• Three byes: State Game (Sunday May 12) and split rounds for Round 11 and Round 16
• Final home game at Flinders University Stadium - Round 18 vs Adelaide (TBC - weekend of August 24)

Click here to view the full Women's fixture

Here are the key points of the Panthers SANFLW fixture

• Premiership flag unveiling at first home game - Round 1 vs Sturt at Flinders University Stadium (Friday February 15 7:00pm)
• Grand Final rematch vs Norwood - Round 2 at Coopers Stadium (Friday February 22 6:30pm)
• Four triple/double-headers with the men's team: Round 6 (Central District), Round 8 (Glenelg), Round 9 (Adelaide) and Round 10 (West Adelaide)
• Six out of 10 minor round games at home
• Three games under lights and two twilight games
• Expanded three-week finals format - two semi finals, preliminary final and Grand Final
• Two bye weekends - season now 15 weeks including finals

Show you're #SouthProud and sign up for a 2019 membership!

The South Adelaide Football Club is proud to announce that its partnership with Flinders University will go to the next level, with Flinders becoming its new stadium naming-rights partner.

The home of the Panthers will now be known as Flinders University Stadium, after Joint Major Partners Flinders University signed a five-year naming rights partnership with the Club.

This new agreement will see the relationship between South Adelaide and Flinders University enter its tenth year as it continues to go from strength to strength.

South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe said the Club was delighted to have Flinders University, leading tertiary educators, further increase their support for the Panthers.

"Our partnership with Flinders University, which dates all the way back to 2010, has been outstanding by kicking goals for both organisations," said Mr Sharpe.

"This connection has provided many of our players and staff with a pathway for a great education that prepares them for life outside of football.

"In turn we have been able to assist with Flinders University's education programs by providing their students invaluable real-world experience within an elite sporting program."

Callista Thillou, Executive Director of Communication and Engagement at Flinders University, said the partnership will have a positive impact for all South Australians.

"While Flinders is committed to exceptional to teaching and learning, our flourishing partnership with SAFC will also make a real difference in the broader community, by sharing the benefits of our research and contributing to a healthier, fitter and more socially active society," Ms Thillou said.

"Through the life of this partnership we have also inspired players to study at the same time as pursuing their football dream, providing a post-elite sport career pathway".

The burgeoning relationship between South Adelaide and Flinders University is exemplified by the industry-leading High Performance Training program provided to South Adelaide's Under-16 Panther Academy by Flinders Sport, Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Research Centre.

During the yearly two-day training program, the young Panthers receive a taste of AFL Draft Camp conditions, with exposure to elite fitness testing, skill analysis technology, coaching and education normally only available to elite footballers.

The program is delivered by Flinders students, giving them hands on experience with elite athletes that provide practical outcomes for research.

The program also has a multidisciplinary approach, which introduces young footballers to an elite football lifestyle, while also encouraging them to think about life beyond football.

South Adelaide has also benefitted from access to the latest thinking and methodologies in a range of areas, including physical education, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, marketing and finance through research student placements, which provide Flinders students with real-world experience in both the football and administration departments of the Club.

Meanwhile, the football club has also worked with the University's commercialisation arm Flinders Partners in the testing and research for their revolutionary two-part hydration system PREP'D.

The home of South Adelaide previously bore the name of Alan Hickinbotham, recognising his significant contribution at the Club as a player, captain, coach and president, and his legacy will continue at the club in a different form.

Dear Panther fans,

Dean Brogan here.

It has been great to re-connect with South Adelaide over the past 18 months, giving back as both a sponsor and as a ruck coach for season 2018.

I have a lot of fond memories pulling on the boots for the Panthers and will always appreciate the start they gave me in helping turn my love for the game of football into a professional career.

In 2019 I am excited to take over the role of Chairman of the club's vice president's group, the Kingstonians.

We are looking to revamp what it means to be a Kingstonian. Make it more easily accessible to all supporters and deliver some truly fun and exciting benefits for everyone involved.

My goal is to see in the next generation of Kingstonians. Connect and network with business leaders that have a passion for the Panthers, engage past players and encourage more women to be involved. Bring together a group that are #SouthProud and want to help the Club prosper on and off the field.

To do this we have introduced some new ideas for 2019.

Kingstonian Membership now comes in tiers, starting at just $300 to make it more affordable for anyone to get involved.

There are some higher priced levels, but at the end of the day our goal is to help with fundraising and we have added some new benefits as well.

All Kingstonians will get access to pre-game functions at home games, which will include game plan analysis from senior coach Jarrad Wright and special guest speakers.

Some levels also include Gala Night and Knuckey Cup tickets, discounted rates on player sponsorship and exclusive access to things such as Magarey Medal tickets that are not available for public sale.

Click here for more information about the new-look Kingstonian Membership levels. We'd love for you to get involved.

If you need further convincing we will be officially re-launching the Kingstonians with a sporting lunch at the Saracen's Head on Friday, February 22.

Our guest speakers will be former Panther and lovable larrikin Ryan Fitzgerald, former Collingwood superstar and Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan and South Adelaide Coach Jarrad Wright.

Promises to be a great Friday lunchtime event - click here or the image below to book your seat. Spots are limited so get in quick!

Before I go, I should also acknowledge the contribution of Dr Jack White, who has served as Chairman of the Kingstonians for the past eight years.

Jack has done a sterling job in his time and we look forward to him remaining involved with the group.

Overall, I am excited for the year ahead and am looking forward to getting to know many new faces around the club through the Kingstonians.

See you at the footy - Go Panthers!

Dean Brogan