2026 Hostplus Pocket Profile – Central District

SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Bulldogs heading into the 2026 Hostplus SANFL League season.

COMING
Josh Fahey (Greater Western Sydney), Callum McCarty (South Adelaide), Jack Saunders (Norwood), Josh Ralph (Sydney Swans Academy), Josh Smith (North Adelaide/GWS VFL), Murray Bastick (Salisbury North/Kingborough), Zac Diekman (Hinterland Blues, Queensland/Kapunda)

GOING
Mani Liddy (Port Adelaide), Kade Dittmar (Norwood), Rhett Montgomerie (South Mildura), Jack Callinan (Tasmania VFL), Zach Adams (Tasmania VFL), Jai Larkins (Southport), Marcus Barreau (retired), Harvey Howe (Unley Jets), Nick Lange (South Mildura), Dyson Sharp (Essendon), Cameron Nairn (Hawthorn), Aidan Schubert (Hawthorn), Matt LeRay (Hawthorn), Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide SANFL), Jake Gasper

Friday March 6
Central District v Woodville-West Torrens at X Convenience Oval from 7.25pm

Saturday March 14
Central District v Adelaide at X Convenience Oval from 3.20pm

After enjoying a breakout season which resulted in earning his first Norm Russell Medal as best-and-fairest, Beau Thomas is eyeing an equally productive campaign in 2026.

Working feverishly in the gym to increase his strength, the 21-year-old has stepped up on the training track to display a greater awareness and provide more communication to his teammates during drills.

”He keeps surprising me and I’ve known him for a long time,” Central coach Paul Thomas said about the 193cm key-position utility.

”He’s certainly had a great summer and is keen to help drive the club forward in the right direction by dragging several of his teammates along with him. As a result, they have lifted their standards too.”

SA U18 coach Tony Bamford profiles the Panthers’ players in 2026

Dougie Cochrane
Dougie is in his fourth year in the SANFL State pathway programs having completed two years at U16 level and now in his second year at U18 level. He is also in the AFL national academy program. Big Dougie is a unique player who can play in all three zones of the field. As a top age U16, he showed he can play behind the ball and read the play to get into the best positions to intercept the ball. Last year, he made his SANFL league debut playing as a forward. He is coming off an injury interrupted season last year and is still working on preparing his body for the demands of elite football.

Jack Gordon
Jack is in his third year in the SANFL State pathway programs having completed a year at U16 level and now in his second year at U18 State Academy level. He is also in the AFL national academy program and has a proven ability to play both as a high defender and inside midfielder, winning plenty of the footy in both roles. Jack brings great communication, is direct with his teammates and has a very competitive edge to his game.

Charlie Moss
Charlie is in the SANFL State pathway for the first time coming off an impressive bottom-age season last year playing as a mobile forward for Central. He is highly-skilled and can take a big pack mark. To complement his aerial strengths, he is learning to find ways to impact at ground level more often.

Jake Eime
Jake is in the SANFL State pathway for the first time after a breakout season playing as a rebounding defender last year for Central. He is lightly-built but has some real speed and gut-running ability. Jake can hurt the opposition when in possession of the ball with his ability to get speed on the ball and penetrate the opposition’s defence.

Hugo Semmler
Big Hugo is one of seven bottom-age players in our U18 State Academy. His introduction to the SANFL State pathway was last year as the lead ruck in our State U16 team. Hugo is very competitive and gives great contest in the ruck and aerial aspects of the game. Unfortunately, Hugo has had recent surgery on his ankle and will miss the start of the 2026 season.