2026 SA Community Footy League Previews – Part 2

In Part 2 of the 2026 Community Footy League preview series, Peter Argent casts his eye over the coaching changes and major player moves from across the State.

Reigning Premiers – Nuriootpa Tigers

Among the four new coaches in the BLG, is former Suns and WWT Eagles footballer Jesse Lonergan at the Kapunda Bombers, while at fellow Light district club, Freeling’s former Barossa District five-time premiership star Matthew Seltzer is their new mentor.

A SANFL Under 18 MVP in 2015, Brendan Dew, is the new boss at Gawler Central after a season in Mildura, while Stephen Carr has the coaching role at Angaston Panthers.

After a successful stint in the Great Southern competition, which included a premiership at Myponga Sellecks, super-boot Darren Shillabeer will don a Tanunda jumper this year and they have picked up the athletic Marley McGregor from NTFL club, Nightcliff Tigers.

Wyatt Ryan has a classy midfielder Mitchell Bidmade coming down from the top end to play at the Bombers alongside him.

South Gawler has collected former Willaston premiership player and Freeling footballer Joel Holloway for the 2026 campaign, while Central District utility Marcus Barreau returns to his home club this year.

Ryan Marini is expected to play a full year for the Lions as well.

Mack Bowman, the son of Norwood 1997 premiership player Lachie, has arrived at the Donnybrooks.

Reigning Premiers – BSR Tigers

The BSR Tigers, who have won eight of the past nine flags in the NEFL, 2021-22 premiership coach Liam Whitwell returns to the den.

BSR Tiger Daniel Hayes has played in all eight A grade flags, and in 2019, when the Tigers were beaten by Blyth Snowtown, Daniel was injured for most of the season and playing in the Tigers reserves premiership.

BSR have also acquired the services of robust utility Jake Patmore, who was on the Power list for three seasons and most recently played for North Adelaide.

At RSMU, Adam Coe, the Mail Medallist for Spencer Gulf Football League, arrives.

Port Adelaide SANFL top-up player and 2024 Willaston premiership defender Heath Growden has moved across to the Southern Saints.

A 2025-26 NTFL premiership player at Nightcliff and former NEFL Mail Medallist, Blake Launer, will be a fly-in player for Eudunda-Robertstown this season.

Charlie Hillier from Kybybolite and Dylan Foulis from Orroroo have arrived at the Min-Man Eagles.

It will also be interesting to see brothers-in-law Angus Bruggermann (Min-Man) and Whitwell (BSR) coaching against each other. (Angus is married to Liam’s sister Clare).

Reigning Premiers – Crystal Brook

After an undefeated 2025 campaign, “the Brook” have added the star power of former Power midfielder and local product Hugh Jackson back into their already potent playing group.

Strong bodied midfielder with heritage at Sturt and the Crows, Pat Wilson, will don a jumper with Booleroo Melrose Willington Lions this year, while Cody Woolford has returned home after a stint with Mannum.

Nick and Jack’s younger brother Luke Hayes from BSR Tigers has moved across to the Orroroo Roos this year, to play with his mates Isaac Moller and Xavier Redden, who are both connected to the famous Duffy clan through marriage.

One of the great servants of mid north country football, Joel Palmer, is on the coaching staff of his foundation club, Southern Flinders.

The Jamestown- Peterborough Football Club have gone on a big recruiting drive for 2026.

Among the big names secured at the club is highly-rated Nuriootpa footballer Nick Gregerke, who has enjoyed premiership success and won a Mail Medal at the BLG Tigers.

He will be playing alongside his mate Cole Gerloff, a former Eyre Peninsula lad who started at Norwood and was a member of Glenelg’s SANFL league premierships in 2023 and 2024.

Reigning Premiers – Malalla Magpies

Shane Moss has returned to the Balaklava Peckers as senior coach after a couple of years as a player. Moss, who has been a state country cricketer as well, last coached the Peckers in 2023.

Moss will be assisted by Peckers lead ruckman Sam Michael who is returning from overseas.

He has also picked up Mitch Larsson, originally from Paskeville and a 2025 West Gambier footballer who was a member of the successful South East zone team as well.

The United Tigers have local lad Charlie McIntyre as their new coach.

Sonny Greagen, who played at Salisbury North, is the new Virginia Rams coach.

Steve Wellington, who had stints with Salisbury North and Ardrossan, is moving to Virginia.

Blake Hedges, from Kangaroo Island, is the Hummocks Watchman Eagles’ new forward.

SANFL Eagles junior Jack Hankins and big man Harry Gameau return for the Two Wells Roosters.

Angle Vale Owls have collected Crows-listed defender, originally from the North Adelaide Roosters, Stephen Tahana, as a new recruit.

Outside runner Malakye Kohlhagen from Angaston has arrived at the Hamley Bridge Bombers.

Ryan Paget, who took the Mallala Magpies to premiership in his first campaign as head coach in 2025, is still in charge this season.

Reigning Premiers – Western United

Six-time premiership coach Craig Irvine will lead the Penong-based Western United Tigers as they begin this season on a 48-game winning streak.

Their last defeat was on May 6, 2023 and they are shooting for their fourth successive premiership.

After being runners-up last year, Ceduna Blues, have collected impressive recruits in the off-season including Lachy Smith (West Coast Hawks), Jacob Ryan (Wirrulla), Elijah Lappin (Gippsland), Jaiden Jupe (Hummocks Watchman), Stanley Willis (Koonibba), Tremain Kugena-Coleman (Koonibba), Joseph Birkin (Thevenard), and Tom Warren (Thevenard).

Cody Colbung is the new playing coach at Koonibba, after winning the club’s best-and-fairest last season, with club legend Wayne Miller as his assistant.

The Roosters have picked up Frank Khan (Mines Rovers), Chase Scott-Kelly (returned to the club), Ryder Picket-Mundy (Mallee Park), Tre Porta (Portland), Kyreece Stapelton (Rosewater) and Tim Milera (West Augusta).

Thevenard, in their 99th year, uniquely have three coaches in 2026 – Nick Faklis who coached in 2025 is joined by Glen Berry and Hedley Richards.

The Hawks have regained the services of former Mail Medallist and zone ruckman Dylan Kelsh after having a year at Elliston Districts, along with Kai Luzi from the West, who has played WAFL reserves footy and Henry Jenkin from PHOS Camden.

Reigning Premiers – Kimba Districts

Taking over the role as senior coach at the Kimba Tigers is former Melbourne listed footballer and Central District player from Eudunda, Aaron Nietschke.

While they have lost personnel, two premier recruits for Kimba are Sam Heinjus and Sam Clements.

The new coach at the Cats is Dave Atkinson, who played for Cowell last year after coming from North Whyalla.

Eastern Rangers see Shannon Jenner and Ethan Kwaterski return home, after a couple of seasons with the Angaston Panthers.

Aseri “Bobby” Raikiwasa is returning to the Ports, along with the trio of Nathan Grzona, Jagga Cross and Harvey Masson, under the mentorship of former Port Magpie Sid Masters.

At Central Eyre United, under Coach Micah VanLoon, Callum Tonkin joins their program.

Across the Adelaide football league, the most high-profile coach entering in 2026 is Port Adelaide premiership star Chad Cornes at the Goodwood Saints.

Much travelled Craig Smith will coach the Golden Grove Kookaburras and Central District premiership defender Nathan Grima has returned to Division 1 club, the Glenunga Rams.

Ex Glenelg ruckman Matt Golding is coaching Sacred Heart Old Collegians this year after a successful stint with Hahndorf, and Michael Barker is the man in charge of Saint Peters OC.

Former Central District footballer, Dylan Weaver, is the boss at the Tea Tree Gully Football Club and at the Unley Jets, Trent Bromley, is the man in control.

Luke McCracken is the new coach of the Broadview Tigers, while down at the Brighton Bombers, Brett Todd is in charge.

South Australian football legend Garry McIntosh is back in charge at Payneham Norwood Union while Jarrad Parker is the Old Iggy‘s senior coach for 2026.

New Division 3 promoted clubs Plympton and Walkerville have Simon Quinn and Ryan Madden in charge of the Bulldogs and the Cats respectively.

Key recruits this year include former Essendon, Carlton and Port goalsneak Orazio Fantasia at Adelaide University, while North Adelaide talent Lee Minervini has arrived at the Modbury Hawks.

Coming down from Darwin is former Geelong and Port Adelaide forward Steven Motlop, donning a Goodwood Saints jumper in A2.

Melbourne No.2 draft pick Jack Trengove returns to Prince Alfred OC in its milestone season, while long-term Adelaide Crow, Brodie Smith, is at the Seaton Ramblers.

After more heartbreak, including two Grand Final losses at Angaston, Steve Summerton arrives at reigning premier, Port Districts looking for a personal ‘Holy Grail’.

After 149-AFL games at the Gold Coast Suns, Sean Lemmens is expected to wear the Salisbury Football Club’s black and white in 2026, while Josh Glenn has been mentioned at Division 6 club, Elizabeth.