New leaders, new era for South Adelaide

By ZAC MILBANK

South Adelaide will sport a new-look leadership group in 2022 as it aims to maintain its flawless record of qualifying for the major round.

Finishing fourth in 2021, the Panthers will be under the guidance of new captain Brianna Wedding, who will take the mantle vacated by the retiring Elyse Haylock.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, returning South coach Rick Watts said the club had engaged leadership consulting company Leading Teams to work with the women’s playing group this preseason.

The absence of Haylock, and premiership skipper Lauren Buchanan who is also hanging up the boots, will ensure a different-looking leadership group will be in place at Noarlunga next year.

They will be joined by vice-captain Nicole Campbell and fellow leadership group members Tiffany Copley, Sam Pratt and Courtney Barry.

Pratt and Barry will be welcome additions on the field in 2022 after missing last season with ACL knee injuries.

The Panthers have recruited locally, with talented Willunga pair Jodie Hunt and Shae Archbald ready to make an impact while Happy Valley’s Jess Waterhouse will help fill the scoring void left by Jorja Hooper (ACL knee injury).

Waterhouse, the cousin of former Docker Clive Waterhouse, returns to SANFLW after previously having a season with Glenelg.