Broadbent’s farewell tour reaches 100 games

By ZAC MILBANK

South Adelaide vice captain Matthew Broadbent has all but declared 2023 will be his final Hostplus SANFL League campaign as he embraces life after football.

Set to play his 100th League game for the Panthers against his original club Woodville-West Torrens on Good Friday at Flinders University Stadium, the 32-year-old indicated he is set to hang up the boots at season’s end.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Broadbent said he was determined to assist in breaking the Panthers’ 59-year premiership drought after developing a love for his second club since arriving in 2020.

Currently relishing a full-time off-field mentoring role with the Sammy D Foundation, Broadbent noted how much his life has changed since arriving at Noarlunga.

Broadbent is set to celebrate his milestone match with partner Julia and seven-month-old twins Hugo and Tommy, who may even make an appearance as he runs out to face the Eagles.

Making his SANFL League debut with the Eagles as a 17-year-old in 2008, Broadbent said he will be forever indebted to his first SANFL club for providing him with the opportunity to shine.

This resulted Henley FC junior being drafted by the club he barracked for throughout his childhood – Port Adelaide – before going on to play 171 AFL games with the Power.

Upon finishing up at Alberton at the end of 2019, Broadbent tossed and turned at night as he agonised over the decision to return to Oval Avenue or head down the Southern Expressway at the request of former Eagle and current Panthers mentor Jarrad Wright.

Now the 2021 Fos Williams Medallist can write his own fairytale script should he be a part of bringing the Thomas Seymour Cup to Noarlunga for the first time since 1964.