Advertiser Team of the Year

SOUTH Adelaide ruckman Keegan Brooksby’s significant influence in his return to the Panthers this has season has been recognised with his selection as captain of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Brooksby, back at Noarlunga after 14 AFL appearances in three seasons with Gold Coast, earned the honour for his role in the Panthers climbing back into the finals.

Brooksby sparked much of the action for the Panthers with his outstanding efforts in ruck and tremendous work ethic around the ground.

Three Panthers claimed a spot in the prestigious team of the year, which has been selected as if playing a game.



Dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross and Nick Liddle have been named in the 21-man team.

Norwood’s Jarrod Cotton has been named coach of the team after taking his side to the minor premiership.

“Keegan has been enormous for us this year,” Panthers chief executive Neil Cross said. “His experience around the club has been very important.

“His family has a long history with the club and he has continued that with the way he conducts himself. The club could not be happier with Keegan this season.”

Sturt has the most representatives with five, including regular inclusions Zane Kirkwood, Fraser Evans and Jack Stephens.
The Advertiser Team of the Year

Shane McAdam has been a revelation in attack for the Double Blues and has been touted as a strong candidate to be picked up in the AFL draft, while Mark Evans earns the full forward jumper after claiming the Ken Farmer Medal as leading goalkicker.

Premiership favourite Norwood has three players in the team. Mitch Grigg, who earned back-to-back Magarey Medals this year, and Matthew Panos were obvious selections and Lewis Johnston earned a spot as the Redlegs’ linkman.

The Eagles also have three with Luke Thompson named vice-captain.

Grand finalist North Adelaide has Jarred Allmond, outstanding in his first year with the club after moving from the Eagles, and Callum Wilkie in the line-up.

Wilkie is also a chance to be drafted to the AFL.
The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year

Jarrod Cotton (coach): The Redlegs started the season with one win from four games and the won their next 13 to secure the minor premiership. They are hot favourites for the flag.

Shane McAdam (Sturt): been outstanding in his first season with the Double Blues and is tipped to be picked up in the draft. His defensive actions have been most impressive for a small forward.

Mark Evans (Sturt): stood up as the go-to forward for Sturt after the loss of Kory Beard and claimed the Ken Farmer Medal with 42 goals.

Jack Hayes (Eagles): has emerged from the shadow of brother Nick to be a potent attacking weapon for the Eagles. Has very strong hands and finished with 33 goals.

Joel Cross (South Adelaide): leads from the front for South Adelaide and while the season was not is most consistent, his impact in the midfield was again highly effective.

Josh Scott (Glenelg): a passionate forward who attacks the body and ball at full bore every contest. Often plays sore, but never wavers in his approach and finished with 35 goals.

Patrick Wilson (Adelaide): the Crows won just one game, but the former Double Blues midfielder was brilliant. Constantly picked up plenty of touches with his tremendous work ethic.

Lewis Johnston (Norwood): regularly picked up big possession numbers as the link man for the Redlegs.

Mitch Grigg (Norwood): won a second successive Magarey Medal after another brilliant season in the Redlegs midfield. Not only amassed big possession numbers, was the leading goalkicker for the Redlegs.

James Boyd (Eagles): finished tied third in the Magarey Medal. Picked up numerous possessions as is his way.

Jarred Allmond (North Adelaide): was a massive factor in the Roosters’ climb to the preliminary final this season in his first season with the club. Was very active on the wing and his penetrating kick was a weapon.

Luke Thompson (Eagles): goes about his work with terrific professionalism and rarely beaten. Leads the Eagles by example.

Callum Wilkie (North Adelaide): outstanding in defence and such was his impact in defence, is being considered a strong chance to be drafted.

Chris Curran (Glenelg): finally injury free, he was ultra consistent and was solid as a rock in defence for the Tigers.

Fraser Evans (Sturt): has established himself among the best defenders in the league and is incredibly consistent.

Jack Stephens (Sturt): a leader in the backline for the Double Blues and not only shuts down opponents, but gives them tremendous rebound.

Keegan Brooksby (South Adelaide): has had a massive at the Panthers since returning from the AFL. Has a tremendous work ethic and rarely beaten in the ruck. Is also a strong leader at the club.

Matthew Panos (Norwood): had his best season for the Redlegs, being incredibly consistent in having a huge influence in the midfield each week. Constantly picked up numerous touches and bagged goals as well.

Nick Liddle (South Adelaide): won the coach’s award after an outstanding season in the midfield for the Panthers. Very consistent and throws everything he has into games.

Zane Kirkwood (Sturt): an inspirational captain who knows only one way and that is full bore. Leads by example in the midfield is a genuine class act.

Tom Keough (West Adelaide): known as a brilliant defender for most of his career, he has been used effectively in the midfield for the Bloods.
Travis Schiller (Central District): had more possessions than any other player and was runner-up in the Magarey Medal, glaring evidence of his terrific season on the ball.

From West, surprised Kaine Stevens isn't selected and Chris Burgess was a standout defender this year.

Good to see several new players.

Always difficult these best of teams. From Norwood, Shenton, Baulderstone and McKenzie perhaps the unluckiest, but I dont know enough about the opponents selected (except for Brooksby, who would have been my pick for ruck anyway).

Didnt see enough of his season, but I rate Tropiano pretty highly and he's also missed out.

Injury probably cost Darcy Fort he was outstanding up until he got injured.He was selected as state ruckman so his form couldnt have been to bad.However dont have an issue with Brooksby getting in the side.

there is no right or wrong in this, they are just opinions, these opinions are from the football journalists who would see more of EVERY team than most supporters would, as they (most supporters) would only see the opposition teams twice a year

JC OR JC ?
This team was announced on 19/8/2018
Easy for anyone to post in hindsight, but heres my 2 bobs worth
At the stage of naming the team ,  I had thought the Coach Of the Year should have been Josh Carr, not Jarrod Cotton
Im even more convinced now that it should have been Josh Carr
NA has become the only team in SANFL history to win a flag after finishing 10th the previous season

Congrats to both coaches for having teams playing  an attractive brand of footy
Either coach deserved to be the 2018 premiership coach