Jarrad Wright steps down as South Adelaide coach

By ZAC MILBANK

South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright will end his nine-year tenure at Noarlunga after this Saturday’s Round 9 Hostplus SANFL League match against Port Adelaide at Alberton. 

Appointed ahead of the 2018 season, the 42-year-old told the Panthers’ playing group on Tuesday night that his time at the helm will come to an end with six minor round games to play.

“This decision has not come lightly,” said Wright, who this year surpassed Haydn Bunton Junior as the club’s longest-serving coach in its 150th season.

”After a great deal of reflection, I believe stepping away is the best path forward for both me and the football club.

“Whilst we have not achieved the ultimate goal, I’m very proud of the highlights and success we have achieved over the journey in reaching two prelim finals and seeing many players develop and reach the highest level.

“Most importantly, I believe the past few years of hard work and foundations laid with developing a youngest list in the comp will set the long term success criteria for the club moving forward.

“The past nine years have been incredibly special for me and my family, and I’ll always be grateful to have been given the opportunity to coach this proud football club.”

Working in a full-time capacity at Lovelock Drive for the best part of a decade, Wright guided South to consecutive preliminary finals in 2020 and 2021, falling just short of qualifying for the club’s first Grand Final berth since 1979.

A former player at the club in 2004, he also had a strong focus on development while ushering through the likes of AFL-listed trio Jason Horne-Francis, Matthew Roberts and Sid Draper.

Wright also displayed strong care for the League throughout his tenure, regularly putting his hand up to act as an assistant mentor for the West End State Team, including this year.

“Jarrad’s professionalism, care for players, and commitment to the club have left a lasting legacy.” South Adelaide President Geoff Baynes said.

“We thank him for his tireless work and wish him, Jade, Ollie, Finn and Alby all the very best for the next chapter.”

An interim replacement for Wright- who currently has a 68-85-3 win-loss-draw record – will be announced by the club in the near future, together with the process to source the Panthers’ next senior coach.