FAVOURITE sons returning and fresh faces adding excitement headline the long list of SANFL transfers ahead of season 2023. Club-by-club, we run through all the inclusions with an array of talent set to grace the state league from all corners of the country.

CENTRAL DISTRICT

A busy off-season for Centrals has seen 17 fresh faces welcomed to Elizabeth, including nine from rival SANFL clubs. A handful have crossed from Sturt, headlined by the three Lochowiak brothers, while a family affair also sees Jez and Louie McLennan return from Queensland.

Gold Coast Suns Academy graduates Brinn Little and Ryan Pickering also join from the Sunshine State. The Bulldogs pulled off a Victorian coup too, with Fletcher Carroll jetting across from Albury alongside O&M League Rising Star Isaac McGrath.

Another young gun to look out for among the inclusions is Tasmanian key forward Will Splann. Out of North Hobart, the 19-year-old booted 32 NAB League goals last season and is a terrific marker of the ball.

IN: Fletcher Carroll (Albury Tigers), Leyton Chisholm (GWS VFL), Jayden Hall (South Adelaide), Jai Larkins (Norwood), Mani Liddy (Sturt), Brinn Little (Gold Coast Academy), Anzac Lochowiak (Sturt), Jacob Lochowiak (Sturt), Mihail Lochowiak (Sturt), Isaac McGrath (Albury Tigers), Jez McLennan (returned/Gold Coast Suns), Louie McLennan (Palm Beach), Hugo Munn (Sturt), Dale Pearce (Woodville-West Torrens), Ryan Pickering (Broadbeach Cats), Ethan Schwerdt (Norwood), Will Splann (North Hobart)

GLENELG

Glenelg is another club which searched far and wide for talent over the off-season, but the Tigers’ most significant inclusion was one close to home. Brett Turner returns to the club after his short spell at the Adelaide Crows and he’s not the only elite level recruit, with James Bell signing from Sydney.

The Bays also brought in a couple of NAB League (now Coates Talent League) graduates. St Kilda Next Generation Academy member Scott Beilby and Giants Academy product Mackinley Miller have made moves to South Australia having been overlooked for the draft via their respective AFL ties.

IN: Scott Beilby (Sandringham Dragons), James Bell (Sydney Swans), Frazer Bradley (Millicent), Brock Carter (North Cairns), Jared Deep (North Adelaide), Max Guehrer (Beach Volleyball), Brad McCarthy (returned/Lucindale), Cameron McGree (South Adelaide), Connor McLeod (Woodville-West Torrens), Mackinley Miller (Giants Academy), Brodie Newman (returned/Wanderers), Todd Reid (South Gambier), Will Stockman (Renmark), Brett Turner (returned/Adelaide), Liam Wisdom (returned/Queensland)

NORTH ADELAIDE

North Adelaide lost some young talent to the draft and also waved Will Combe into retirement, but boast a handy – albeit short – list of inclusions. Sam Mayes is the big coup, returning home after a 118-game AFL career. The Roosters have also lured bigman Jesse White, adding to the former-AFL experience.

North staff had clearly also been watching the VFL, and saw fit to secure Connor Nutting‘s signature from grand finalist, Southport. Noah Casalini (GWS VFL) and high flying Swans Academy graduate Kye Pfrengle also join from interstate, with Westies’ Matthew McKenzie the sole SANFL transfer.

IN: Noah Casalini (GWS VFL), Sam Mayes (returned/Port Adelaide), Matthew McKenzie (West Adelaide), Connor Nutting (Southport Sharks), Kye Pfrengle (Sydney VFL), Jesse White (Glenelg)

NORWOOD

Norwood boasts arguably the most intriguing list of transfers, targeting at terrific array of youth from different leagues and levels. A pair of AFL returnees headline the crop, with key forward Jackson Callow and midfielder Jack Saunders committing after being delisted by Hawthorn.

Rebound defender Patrick Walker also comes across after his time with North Melbourne, as one of four Tasmanian natives on the inclusions list. Small midfielder Oliver Sanders joins from Carlton’s VFL side, alongside Michael Stingel (North Launceston) and Alec Wright (Launceston).

A bunch of VFL talent will also become Redlegs. Former Sydney draftee Matthew Ling crosses after a year with Geelong VFL, while the versatile Goy Lok is a handy coup, and mid Chance Doultree will give it a crack. All three are Coates Talent League graduates, as is Oakleigh Chargers product Sam Nehme.

IN: Luke Bogle (South Adelaide), Jackson Callow (returned/Hawthorn), Jack Chiswell (St Mary’s NTFL) Jake Cresswell (South Adelaide), Chance Doultree (Footscray VFL), Ethan Haylock (Woodville-West Torrens), Matt Ling (Geelong VFL), Goy Lok (Sandringham), Sam Nehme (Oakleigh Chargers), Ollie Sanders (Carlton VFL), Jack Saunders (returned/Hawthorn), Michael Stingel (North Launceston), Patrick Walker (North Melbourne VFL), Alec Wright (Launceston)

SOUTH ADELAIDE

Though South Adelaide has lost plenty of talent across the grades this off-season, an exciting number of signings are set to bolster the Panthers nicely. Among the best coups was that of Sam Skinner, who was unlucky in his time at Port Adelaide and returns to the club.

The Panthers have also brought in Ely Smith and Zach Sproule fresh off their respective AFL careers with Brisbane and GWS. Both players came through the junior pathway with the Murray Bushrangers, albeit at different times.

Jonti Schuback is right up there with the best young signings in the league, having been unluckily overlooked at last year’s draft. The smooth moving Gippsland Power graduate is sure to impress on either side of midfield or off half-back.

Panther diehards will be happy to see junior Luke Mitton return to the fold, while former-Eagle Kobe Mutch is a handy inter-league get, and fabled NTFL goalkicker Kyle Emery is sure to add some firepower to the group.

IN: Scott Bedford (Flinders Park), Nic Dunshea (South West AFL NSW), Kyle Emery (Nightcliff), Chester Forster (Glenelg), Robert Irra (returned/Reynella), Luke Mitton (returned/McLaren), Kobe Mutch (Woodville-West Torrens), Jonti Schuback (Gippsland Power), Sam Skinner (returned/Port Adelaide), Ely Smith (Brisbane Lions), Zac Sproule (GWS), Lachlan Scott (Willunga)

STURT

Sturt is another side which has bolstered its young stocks, dipping into resources across the nation to do so. A trio of Swans Academy graduates are among the exciting signings, with Allies representative Angus Anderson a solid midfield option, joined by defender Luke Giacometti and tall Liam Puncher.

There’s some terrific inclusions from the AFL, too. Eagles junior Martin Frederick will add some speed along with the returning Charlie Parker, while key position talent Connor McFadyen is sure to be an asset if he can get a clean run at it.

Elsewhere, another GWV Rebels graduate will don the Double Blue as the versatile Charlie Molan crosses from Williamstown. Tasmanian George McLeod also plied his trade in the Coates Talent League and is one of many from the Apple Isle to be gracing the SANFL in 2023.

IN: Angus Anderson (Sydney Swans VFL), Tye Bedford (returned/Carlisle), Martin Frederick (Port Adelaide), Luke Giacometti (Sydney Swans Academy), Hugo Kelly (Prince Alfred OC), Jack Lewis (Adelaide SANFL), Connor McFadyen (Brisbane Lions), George McLeod (North Hobart), Charlie Molan (Williamstown/GWV Rebels), Charlie Parker (returned/Western Bulldogs), Liam Puncher (Sydney Swans Academy)

WEST ADELAIDE

West Adelaide may have lost some outstanding young talent to the draft and significant experience to retirement, but have restocked nicely. A pair of Suns Academy products will don red and black in 2023, with Ned Stevens and Rhys Nicholls making the move South.

Ned is a mobile tall whose brother, Joel will be familiar with Westies fans. He was an AFL Academy member and has been plying his trade with Labrador in Queensland. Meanwhile, Nicholls is fresh off the Suns’ senior list and should add some running power on the outside.

Former Giants Academy skipper Sam Frost is a good get, set to feature in defence with his intercept marking and booming foot skills. There’s more outside run in the form of Northern Knights graduate Owen Mulady, while NT native Antonio James will continue his career in SA having boarded for school there.

IN: Dylan Bramich (Penguin), Jack Cottrell (Wentworth), Sam Frost (GWS VFL), Billy Glanvill (Lavington), Antonio James (Darwin Buffaloes), Owen Mulady (Northern Knights), Rhys Nicholls (Gold Coast Suns), Josh Sheppard (Broadview), Ned Stevens (Gold Coast Academy)

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS

The Eagles nest has some good eggs returning for 2023. There is no bigger signing for the side than James Rowe, who promises to add a bit of spark to the front half alongside short-lived Geelong recruit Zane Williams.

Perhaps rivalling the re-signing of Rowe is the coup of Riley Collier-Dawkins, who was recently delisted by Richmond. Once thought to be the next Fyfe or Bont, the tall midfielder has terrific contested acumen and can float forward for marks and goals.

IN: Max Beattie (Wodonga Raiders), David Brinker-Ritchie (Box Hill Hawks), Riley Collier-Dawkins (Richmond), Josh Mawson (Port Douglas), Carter Norman (North Albury), James Rowe (returned/Adelaide), Daniel Sladojevic (South Adelaide), Sam Tilley (Lauderdale), Zane Williams (returned/Geelong)