Rating the Recruits for 2025

SANFL clubs have been busy securing a host of quality signings ahead of the 2025 Hostplus SANFL League season. With several former AFL players poised to play in the SANFL next year, and a couple of players switching clubs, ZAC MILBANK sifts through the likely difference-makers.  

It’s not often a player with 194 games of AFL experience lands directly on the list of a SANFL club.

So Glenelg fans were licking their lips when news broke of Jarryd Lyons’ return to the Bay – where he was once aligned when playing for the Crows – to play in the Hostplus SANFL League this season.

The super-fit 32-year-old is eager to play alongside his younger brother Corey, who has been an integral cog in Glenelg’s midfield for its back-to-back flags of 2023 and 2024.

A natural ball magnet, who can also hit the scoreboard from the centre square, Lyons will be determined to make an early impact in the black and gold.

When Jack Hayes last played for Woodville-West Torrens, he was the most influential player in the Hostplus SANFL League.

He produced a stunning performance in the 2021 Grand Final to help the Eagles claim the premiership as he earned the Jack Oatey Medal for best afield.

Hayes, who was also West End State captain that year, now returns to his beloved club after a frustrating three-season stint with St Kilda, which yielded eight AFL games and nine goals due to a series of untimely injuries.

Now 29, the athletic utility is set to link up with older brother Nick at Oval Avenue as they attempt to push the Eagles back into premiership contention.

The only issue for coach Sam Jacobs will be where to use the 193cm Hayes, given he can play as a mobile ruckman, big-bodied midfielder, or commanding beacon in attack.

Port Adelaide was delighted when it enticed Central District defender Jez McLennan to Alberton.

Arriving under new SANFL rules allowing AFL-aligned clubs the chance to sign up to four players aged 21 or more, McLennan will provide a much-needed steady presence in defence for the Magpies.

The 24-year-old, who measures in at 185cm, has thrived in spending at least one session a week training with Port’s AFL-listed players.

The former Bulldog will also be given spurts through the midfield on occasions this year after discussions about his role with coach Hamish Hartlett.

Importantly, the dual Fos Williams Medallist will remain available for selection in the West End State team this year.

Good things come to those who wait.

North Adelaide coach Jacob Surjan will certainly be hoping for this statement to ring true when imposing midfielder Angus Schumacher dons the red and white in 2025.

Surjan and Roosters Football Manager Darryl Wintle have been pursuing the 25-year-old for the best part of two years, since Schumacher earned the 2023 Simpson Medal as the WAFL’s best against the West End State team.

Measuring in at a sizeable 193cm, Schumacher’s resume is impressive considering he has represented the WAFL on three occasions and earned selection in the 2022 and 2023 WAFL Team of the Year.

Now the Naracoorte native is eager to test himself in the Hostplus SANFL League as the Roosters’ midfield begins life after five-time Barrie Robran Medallist Campbell Combe.

Woodville-West Torrens’ midfield received a major boost when 2021 premiership star Kobe Mutch decided to return to Oval Avenue during summer.

Mutch, who averaged 25.5 disposals in his 13 appearances for South Adelaide last season, will work in nicely with the seasoned Riley Knight, young gun Adam D’Aloia and the ever-creative James Rowe.

A nice size for a midfielder at 188cm, the 27-year-old covers the ground nicely while also applying plenty of defensive pressure through his penchant for tackling.

Sturt officials weren’t planning on making room for Tom Emmett in their off-season recruiting hunt.

Considered very unlucky to be delisted by the Fremantle Dockers after playing 13 AFL games last season, Emmett knocked on the door at Unley for another crack at the Hostplus SANFL League in 2025.

Measuring in at 186cm, the medium-sized forward isn’t afraid to work high up the field while also running back inside attacking 50m to make an impact.

A strong mark on the lead, the 23-year-old could be just the ingredient the Double Blues are searching for to improve their potency in 2025.

While retired Brisbane Lions midfielder Jarryd Lyons will get his fair share of the spotlight returning to Glenelg, Patrick Parnell was also considered a very good get by the Tigers late last year.

Chased by multiple SANFL rivals, Parnell opted to play for the Bays after meeting with dual premiership coach Darren Reeves and Head of Football Paul Sandercock.

The speedy half-back is a beautiful kick, ensuring he will certainly be used heavily as a distributor at Tigerland, while also possessing the ability to play up on a wing.

Having sat the majority of 2024 out while listed by the Crows, where he played a total of 17 AFL games in three seasons, Parnell is itching for some continuity at Glenelg.

And he will relish the opportunity to play with teenage friend Will Chandler, who featured prominently in last year’s finals campaign for the reigning premier.

Blake Drury is itching to reignite his career by testing himself in the Hostplus SANFL League.

Delisted by North Melbourne following 10 games in two seasons, the 21-year-old has landed at West Lakes as Adelaide’s marquee signing for 2025.

The former Victoria Metro captain is a full-time member of the Crows’ program, allowing him to train with both the AFL and SANFL squads.

Measuring in at 177cm, Drury is a natural ball-winner who can play in all three sectors of the field but coach Matthew Wright has hinted on him landing up forward with spurts through the midfield.

Off the field, he is enjoying the ease of travelling around Adelaide compared to Melbourne while making the most of what Henley Beach has to offer.

Jaiden Magor may not have managed an AFL debut in his two years with the Sydney Swans but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t learned plenty from the experience.

The Panthers’ junior is now itching to impart that wisdom on his fellow teammates as they continue their development as a young group under coach Jarrad Wright.

Magor is most likely to play through the middle, off a wing or half-forward but he was schooled as a half-back with the Swans, an opportunity he relished at VFL level.

The 21-year-old found plenty of the footy, averaging 19 disposals in his final six outings with the Swans.

Now back managing his family’s new gin distillery on the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Myponga Sellicks product will be one to watch in the Hostplus SANFL League.

Tom McCallum could have easily decided to head back to Tasmania when he was delisted by Port Adelaide at the end of last season. 

Instead, he did what a large portion of Tasmanians do – sign to play with Norwood in the Hostplus SANFL League.

Measuring in at 193cm, the 20-year-old will bolster Norwood’s already formidable defensive structure.

McCallum will offer new coach Jade Sheedy another pillar to build around, joining 2024 SANFL Team of the Year defenders Tom Donnelly and Jack Heard.

The athletic backman can also potentially be played in the middle as a big-bodied defender, something Sheedy may draw upon if he wishes to change the profile of his centre square rotation.

It shouldn’t be long until Harvey Griffiths earns cult status amongst West Adelaide fans.

The strongly-built 23-year-old is ready to make his mark in the Hostplus SANFL League after his breakout season with North Launceston in 2024.

Not only was he a key figure in the Bombers’ undefeated TSL premiership, he represented Tasmania at State level whilst also being selected in the forward pocket of the TSL Team of the Year.

Standing at 180cm, Griffiths boasts plenty of X-factor which he used to his advantage in booting 55 goals en route to earning the 2024 Peter Hudson Medal as the TSL’s Leading Goal Kicker.

Off the field, Griffiths has settled into Adelaide life nicely with his partner, embarking on his first job in the field of accounting.