Rick Watts Signs On for 2026 After Back-to-Back Premierships

Triple SANFLW Premiership coach Rick Watts has re-signed to lead South Adelaide into the 2026 Hostplus SANFLW League season, fresh off guiding the Panthers to their fourth Premiership just two weeks ago.

Watts first took the reins in 2019, stepping in for inaugural coach Krissie Steen and immediately delivering success with a Premiership in his debut year. He followed that up by taking the Panthers to another Grand Final in 2020.

After stepping away in 2021 to spend more time with his young family, Watts returned in 2022, replacing Andrew Brockhurst. Despite a tough season marked by injuries that saw the side finish fourth, he quickly turned things around.

In 2023, the Panthers reached the Grand Final again, only to fall short in controversial fashion on the final kick of the game. Fueled but redemption, they responded in dominant style. South claimed the 2024 title and defied the odds once more to repeat the feat in 2025.

With four Premierships now in club history and two back-to-back flags, three of which came under Watts, South Adelaide’s Female Football Manager Jonathon Parker is confident the team is well positioned for another big year.

"We're absolutely thrilled to have Rick on board for 2026," Parker said.

"His dedication to the players and the entire program is unmatched. To have him leading us into a seventh season is something we’re incredibly proud of."

Watts, already the club’s and league's longest-serving and most successful SANFLW coach, is just as excited for what lies ahead.

"This year has been incredible. We’ve played some of our best footy and I’m proud of what this group has achieved," Watts said.

"But I’m just as excited for next season. There’s still more to come from this team."

Watts holds the SANFLW record for most games coached at 83, with an outstanding 62 wins and a incredible win rate of 74.6 percent.