SANFL reveals State Coaches for 2026

By ZAC MILBANK

Triple Sturt premiership mentor Martin Mattner and experienced Woodville-West Torrens coach Narelle Smith have been selected to guide SANFL’s senior State teams in 2026. 

With State pride on the line, Mattner returns to the role after acting as West End State coach for one season in 2018 while Smith takes charge after previously being the SANFLW State team’s Chair of Selectors.

Both will be at the helm for an exciting day of action on Saturday April 11 when a triple-header will be played at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium as part of the AFL’s Gather Round festivities in Adelaide.

The SANFLW State team will kick off proceedings against the VFLW from 12pm before the West End State team tackles the VFL in the AAMI State Game from 2.30pm.

The two State clashes will be followed by the Little Heroes Foundation Slowdown 20 under lights, from 6pm.

The Croweaters’ senior teams will then head west to tackle the WAFL and WAFLW in a double-header of KIA State Games to be played in Perth on Saturday May 16 at a WAFL venue to be confirmed.

Mattner, who will be assisted by fellow SANFL senior coaches Sam Jacobs (Woodville-West Torrens), Paul Thomas (Central District) and Jarrad Wright (South Adelaide), told SANFL TV he was excited for his second-coming which has been eight years in the making.

Guiding the Eagles to their first minor premiership and inaugural Grand Final appearances last year, Smith told SANFL TV she was eager to provide invaluable insight given her previous role as Chair of Selectors.