Iconic pair play in flags for foundation clubs

30 September 2025

By PETER ARGENT

SANFL 250-gamers Jarrod Schiller and Matthew Goldsworthy returned to their respective home clubs after retiring from SANFL, both claiming the ultimate glory in country grand finals recently. 

Back in 2011, a young 18-year-old Jarrod Schiller was a member of the Central District league team that suffered a heartbreaking loss to Woodville-West Torrens at Football Park, going down by just three points, which was one of the most electrifying Grand Final finishes of the 21st century.

He won the Powerade Rising Star award that year, would go on to represent his state in the famous red, blue and gold jumper, win three Central District Best and Fairest awards, captain the club, and play upwards of 250-SANFL league games.

Sadly, there wasn’t another Grand Final appearance across the next 15 years. He retired from the SANFL at the end of the 2024 season and returned to his foundation club, the Nuriootpa Tigers in the Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association for the 2025 campaign.

“I don’t have five days of partying in me anymore. I was back at work mid-week,” Schiller, now 33, smiled, speaking after Nuriootpa’s ’25 premiership celebrations.

“It is among the highest achievements, in the top couple of things I’ve done in footy.

“It still takes a lot of effort and work to get the win.

“The emotion is the big thing; it’s only a small piece of memorabilia, but it certainly means plenty.

“Nothing is going to replace not getting a league flag, but there is still plenty of satisfaction from this premiership.

“I did play in the Under 17.5s and Under 15 flag for the club before going down to the Ponderosa full-time.

“It still doesn’t mask the fact that we didn’t win a flag in my time at Central District.

“I was a little surprised and certainly impressed with the quality of BLG footy this year.”

His ultra-consistent season with Nuriootpa Rover culminated with the Grand Final match against Willaston at Dutton Park, Kapunda, on Saturday, 20 September.

The Tigers had defeated the minor and reigning premiers, Willaston, by 75 points in the second semi-final, but the scores were locked away at 9.8 (62) all 18 minutes into the third term of the season decider.

Brad Hoepner, who had struggled down back and, on a wing, was pushed forward, kicking three goals in five minutes to change the course of the game.

The Tigers charged home to win the title in front of a crowd of 7000 patrons, 18.13 (121) to 11.10 (76) by 45 points.

“Jarrod had a very consistent year and is a wonderful on field leader,” team coach and former Port Adelaide/Central SANFL League footballer himself, Nick Madden told SANFL.com.au.

“Deservingly, he now has a senior football premiership to add to his football CV.”

Schiller finished fourth in the BLG competition’s top honour, this year the Schluter Medal, collecting 18 votes.

2024 SANFL retiree Matt Goldsworthy returned to his foundation club, the CMS Crows and enjoyed the euphoria of premiership glory.

In the Grand Final played at Maitland Oval, the CMS Crows went from 27 points down at half time to defeat the Moonta Demons by 39 points, a massive 11-goal second half turn around.

Goldsworthy displayed his freakish ability, taking an old-fashioned hanger in the goal sure during second term and after converting that, kicked a candidate for goal of the year, an exquisite check-side kick from the boundary during the third quarter.

Captain and midfielder Finn Bettermann won Best on Ground honours for his effort

CMS had coach Jamie Kemp, the mentor back in 2012 and 2013 years return to be the off-field leader again.

A SACA A-grade premiership cricketer with Kensington – Jack Matchett – was a strong marking option at centre half forward, kicking four goals in the second half, including blitzkrieg of three quick majors early in the final stanza.

Port Adelaide Magpies listed player Dylan Aldridge kicked six first half goals, before the Crows coaching staff sent Henry Facey to him at the long interval and he was goal-less in the second half.

The Goldsworthy clan have a long connection with football on the Southern Yorke Peninsula.

Matt’s younger brother Troy Goldsworthy was a member of 2012, 2013 and 2021 Yorke Peninsula A-grade flags with the Crows.

Matt and Troy’s father Stephen played his junior SANFL football for Woodville in the 1980s, winning a Tompkins Medal in 1982 as the best and fairest footballer in the Under 19s competition.