The top 10 SANFL recruits for season 2025

With the 2025 SANFL season just around the corner, we look at the top 10 recruits for the upcoming season and the impact they could have on their new club. From ex-AFL stars to returning club heroes, there is no shortage of quality among the fresh faces set to take the field in 2025. While lists are not quite locked in, with some uncertainty surrounding former Norwood star Nik Rokhar in his contract dispute with Swan Districts, here are the top 10 off-season recruits for the SANFL so far. Jarryd Lyons (Glenelg) The AFL veteran showed no hesitation in returning to his former SANFL club following the end of a glittering 194-game AFL career in September. Already considered one of the favourites for the Magarey Medal, Lyons will add invaluable experience from his time at the Brisbane Lions, while his ball-winning ability will bring another dimension to the Glenelg midfield. While receiving limited opportunities at AFL level over the past two years, Lyons has dominated in the VFL, winning the 2023 J.J. Liston Trophy from just 16 games and earning selection in the 2024 VFL Team of the Year. Lyons averaged 27 disposals, six tackles, eight clearances and six inside 50s per game in an outstanding 2024 campaign that saw him win the club's VFL best and fairest award. [caption id="attachment_157593" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Jarryd Lyons at training with SANFL club the Glenelg Tigers in 2024 (Image via Glenelg FC)[/caption] Displaying no signs of slowing down and joining an established midfield unit, Lyons looks set to take the SANFL competition by storm in 2025. Jack Hayes (Woodville-West Torrens) After his three-year AFL stint at St Kilda came to an end last October, Eagles premiership ruckman Jack Hayes was quick to sign with his former club for 2025. Hayes only managed eight senior appearances with the Saints as he battled persistent injuries but still made a huge impression with an outstanding start to his time in the AFL. The 192cm utility earned a Brownlow vote on debut with 18 disposals and three goals against Collingwood and played five of the first six games of that season before going down with an ACL injury. Eagles fans still hold fond memories of Hayes' time at the club, with the big man winning the 2021 Jack Oatey Medal with a dominant performance in the grand final win over Glenelg. [caption id="attachment_116028" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Jack Hayes of the Saints during the 2022 AFL Round 01 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Collingwood Magpies at Marvel Stadium on March 18, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] With veteran ruckman Jarrad Redden retiring over the off-season, Hayes will offer crucial relief in the ruck and likely spend some time up forward as well. Patrick Parnell (Glenelg) The reigning premiers were quick to swoop on the dashing half-back after being delisted by the Crows, with the 22-year-old keen to show his talent at the state league level. Parnell played 17 AFL games in his three years on Adelaide's list, showing plenty of potential with his speed and attacking flair across the half-back line. Having already played 34 SANFL games in his time at the Crows, Parnell has proved his wares at the level and will be desperate to give himself another AFL opportunity. [caption id="attachment_122994" align="alignnone" width="2560"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Patrick Parnell of the Crows leads the team off after the win in his first AFL game during the 2022 AFL Round 12 match between the Adelaide Crows and the West Coast Eagles at the Adelaide Oval on June 04, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Parnell put together a terrific 2023 SANFL campaign, averaging 22 disposals, four rebound 50s and five marks across 15 games before his 2024 season was ruined by a shoulder injury. Jez McLennan (Port Adelaide) The dual Fos Williams medallist made one of the biggest moves of the off-season after announcing his switch from Central District to Port Adelaide for 2025. Cementing himself as one of the best half-backs in the competition since returning from Gold Coast in 2023, McLennan's signing will be a huge boost for the Magpies in their bid to rise up the ladder this year. Averaging 18 disposals, five marks and three rebound 50s per game in 2024, McLennan was named in SANFL Team of the Year and starred in both state games last year. McLennan spent four years on Gold Coast's AFL list and will undoubtedly bring crucial experience from an AFL environment into a young SANFL outfit with plenty of scope for improvement. [caption id="attachment_149191" align="alignnone" width="2560"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Jez McLennan of South Australia in possession during the 2024 AAMI State Game between SANFL West End State Team and Smithy's VFL State Team at Glenelg Oval, on April 06, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Maya Thompson/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Still harbouring intentions to return to AFL level, McLennan will be hoping to catch the eye of Port Adelaide's coaches and follow in the footsteps of Logan Evans onto the Power's AFL list. Mitch Crowden (Sturt) Sturt pounced on the opportunity to bring home former junior and ex-Docker Mitch Crowden as they look to add the missing pieces for another premiership tilt. Drafted out of Sturt in 2017, Crowden played 42 AFL games for Fremantle across five seasons before joining East Perth following his AFL axing. A tough inside midfielder, Crowden played 37 games across his two seasons with the Royals, winning the club's best and fairest in both seasons. [caption id="attachment_129965" align="alignnone" width="2560"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 08: Mitch Crowden, Joel Western and Travis Colyer of the Dockers look dejected after a loss during the 2021 AFL Round 21 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium on August 8, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Already boasting the likes of Will Snelling, James Battersby and Tom Lewis, Crowden will add greater flexibility and depth to the Sturt engine room. Martin Frederick (Sturt) With a bullocking midfield group and sturdy defence, Sturt's lack of pace was exposed in last year's finals series, but they will get that in spades with the return of Martin Frederick in 2025. The former Port Adelaide rookie-listed speedster spent last year with Claremont in the WAFL but will return to the club where he played 22 games in a dazzling 2023 SANFL campaign. Boasting line-breaking speed and excellent endurance, Frederick played 14 AFL games with the Power and represented South Australia in the 2023 state game against WA. [caption id="attachment_120379" align="alignnone" width="2560"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 26: Justin McInerney of the Swans competes with Martin Frederick of the Power during the 2021 AFL Round 15 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval on June 26, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] The twin brother of Fremantle's Michael Frederick, Martin's creativity and ability to turn defence into attack will be a welcome addition for the Double Blues as they look to make another charge towards the premiership. Luke Partington (Glenelg) Taking last year off to go travelling, the 2019 Magarey Medallist and dual premiership star is back at the Tigers as they look to make it a hat-trick of flags in 2025. With his ability to win the ball and inflict damage with his ball use on the outside, Partington's return will be a huge boost to an already elite midfield brimming with talent. Partington played six AFL games with West Coast in 2017 and has long been considered one of the best midfielders in the SANFL, helping the Tigers to premierships in 2019 and 2021. http://gty.im/830726418 In his most recent SANFL campaign in 2023, the 181cm dynamo averaged 22 disposals, three clearances and five tackles per game, showcasing the balance in all facets of his game. Kobe Mutch (Woodville-West Torrens) The 2021 premiership midfielder will be a welcome return to Oval Avenue after spending the past two seasons with South Adelaide. Mutch joined the Eagles in 2021 following his delisting from Essendon, quickly establishing himself as one of the SANFL's premier midfielders with his toughness and ability to win the ball at the coalface. He enjoyed an outstanding 2024 campaign with the Panthers despite missing five games with injury, averaging 25 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles per game to lead South's midfield brigade. Standing at 188cm, Mutch will add a big body and plenty of grunt to an Eagles midfield unit that struggled towards the end of last season. Having lost plenty of experience over the off-season following the retirement of several veterans, Mutch's four years of AFL experience will be highly sought at Woodville Oval. Angus Schumacher (North Adelaide) Having lost several key midfield playmakers over the off-season, North Adelaide secured the crucial signing of East Perth gun Angus Schumacher for 2025. Originally from Narracorte in SA's south-east, Schumacher spent two years on Carlton's list for one senior appearance in 2019 before moving to the Royals following his delisting. The 194cm midfielder enjoyed a superb 2024 campaign, averaging 23 disposals, seven clearances and four tackles per game to finish runner-up in the Royals' best and fairest. A versatile player who thrives at the contest and uses the ball well, Schumacher earned three state game selections and won the Simpson Medal as WA's best on ground in 2023. [caption id="attachment_32923" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Angus Schumacher competes for the ball during a Carlton Blues AFL Media Opportunity at Highgate Reserve on January 31, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] With the likes of Campbell Combe and Sam Mayes departing over the off-season, Schumacher is sure to add a valuable dynamic to North's midfield as they attempt to return to finals action. Harvey Griffiths (West Adelaide) West Adelaide's quest to rise up the ladder received a huge boost with the signing of Tasmanian goalkicking gun Harvey Griffiths over the off-season. A member of North Launceston's undefeated premiership in 2024, Griffiths kicked 55 goals to take out the TSL's leading goalkicker award and earn selection in the league's Team of the Year. Measuring in at 180cm, Griffiths can play both tall and small and has terrific goal sense, ensuring he will be a tricky customer for opposition defenders in 2025. With crafty forwards Josh Gore and Luke Redfern both departing over the summer, Griffiths looms as the perfect addition to bring some more scoring firepower to the Bloods' lineup.

The top 10 SANFL recruits for season 2025

A host of ex-AFL stars and returning club heroes feature in our list of the best SANFL recruits from the off-season.

5. Mitch Crowden (Sturt)

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		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9