2026 Hostplus Pocket Profile – South Adelaide

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

COMING
Arie Schoenmaker (St Kilda), Seamus Mitchell (Hawthorn), Jack Delean (returned/Fremantle), Riley Baldi (Casey Demons), Harley Sparks (West Coast WAFL), Will Verrall (returned/Melbourne), Arlo Draper (returned/travel), Phillip Moimoi (Richmond VFL), Koby Cockshell (Mount Barker)

GOING
Jake Summerton (retired/Wallaroo), Liam Fitt (retired/McLaren Districts), Jaiden Magor (work interstate), Noah Howes (Collingwood), Will Splann (Tasmania VFL), Tom Wheaton (Nhill), Cameron Kirkland (Reynella), Callum McCarty (Central District), Damon Freitag (Interstate), Jacob Collins (Tasman – Port Lincoln), Sam Hindes (Sturt), Dayne McGary (Onkaparinga Valley), Aaron Douglass

Saturday March 14
South Adelaide v North Adelaide at Magain Stadium from 2.10pm

Saturday March 21
South Adelaide v Adelaide at Magain Stadium from 2.10pm

South Adelaide supporters can expect to see plenty of slingshot run from their back half this season. 

That’s because speedy Seamus Mitchell is set to provide the springboard for their attacking forays when he dashes off the half-back line in the Hostplus SANFL League.

Managing 28 AFL games in five seasons on Hawthorn’s primary list, the 23-year-old likens himself to St Kilda’s Jack Sinclair while also possessing a penchant to get back to assist defensively.

Originally from Robinvale in country Victoria, Mitchell came through the Bendigo Pioneers junior system before landing at the Hawks, where he was mentored by former West Adelaide coach Andy Collins.

Eager to test himself in the best State League in Australia, Mitchell is refusing to give up on his AFL dream after finally having a clean run with injury entering this preseason.

Measuring in at 181cm, he was also lured to Noarlunga by second-year Panther and friend, Emmanuel Ajang.

Second-season recruit Tye Gander has been eager to impress during his first full pre-season with the Panthers and he has certainly caught the coach’s eye.

Originally from St George Dragons in Sydney, the 21-year-old is keen to build on his debut game in Round 17 last year in which he booted three goals from 13 disposals against Woodville-West Torrens.

”Tye’s commitment to training throughout the off-season has ensured he is a standout,” South coach Jarrd Wright said.

”He has consistently pushed himself across all areas — gym work, conditioning, and craft — which is reflected in his testing results, including a personal best of 6:12 in the 2km time trial and PBs across all gym lifts. That work ethic has translated into a noticeable increase in his training intensity on the track.

”While Tye is still a young player and relatively inexperienced at league level, we see a very bright future for him if he continues to maintain these habits.”

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

Kodah Edwards
Kodah 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. Kodah primarily plays in the midfield as an inside ball-winner and distributor while also displaying strong leadership qualities.

Cain Florance
Cain 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. Cain primarily plays as a high forward where he can use his game IQ to help his team’s offence going into the front third of the oval. He is also able to win the ball inside and outside while playing as a midfielder. He is coming off an injury interrupted 2025 season where he only played nine games.

Archie Van Dyk
Archie 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 level. Archie primarily plays in the midfield and is very strong at both air and ground contests, winning contested balls in and around the stoppage. He has also shown an ability to play well as a high defender where he can read the opposition ball movement early and intercept the ball.

Angus White
“Gus” 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 level. He has a proven ability to play both as a high forward and a ball-winning midfielder. Gus brings elite intensity to both winning the ball and also applying effective pressure to the opposition when they have the ball.

Kody Shortridge
Kody is in the SANFL State pathway programs for the first time coming off an impressive bottom age season last year playing as a general forward for South Adelaide. He primarily plays in running/ground level forward roles where he can use his speed and goal sense to hit the scoreboard.

Jackson Blacker
Jackson is in the SANFL State pathway programs for the first time coming off an impressive bottom age season last year playing as a key defender for South Adelaide. His ability to break even in the marking contest and then use his kicking skills to set up offense was impressive.

Zemes Pilot
Zemes is one of seven bottom-age players in our U18 State Academy. He is in his third year in the SANFL State pathway programs having played two years at U16 level. He is a unique talent who can play many different positions. His best footy at national level so far has been as a key forward. Zemes is also involved in SA and National Basketball programs so is having to balance multiple programs this year.