INS & OUTS 2026

[Eagles2014]

Who ?

Burgess, forward line of Burgess, Lemmey and Scully would be handy.

Burgess gone to the ammos is what I've heard

Time will tell I guess and that is what I originally heard too but times have changed

Was down to West and one other club, money similar but unfortunately for Bloods supporters think he has chosen Paskeville in the Yorke Peninsula

[whufc]

Yeah rumors out this way is that he is at Pasky.

[The Hound]

Is that where Foster went last season?

[am Bays]

Is that where Foster went last season?

Des?? Surely he's too old....

[The Hound]

Phoenix after retiring at Geelong

[Eagles2014]

Phoenix after retiring at Geelong

Yes, he won their B & F, will form a powerful duo with Burgess.

[hollywood7477]

I'm hearing the Bays might have a real new Edge with their incoming coach.

Have heard it’s Matty Clarke. Glenelg waiting till the crows women finish up before announcing it.

[dedja]

I'm hearing the Bays might have a real new Edge with their incoming coach.

Have heard it’s Matty Clarke. Glenelg waiting till the crows women finish up before announcing it.

David Noble

[DOC]

What is the Edge reference?

[CENTURION]

It's official,
Burgess has signed with Paskeville.
It's really concerning for the SANFL that a talented 26 year old bloke that played in the AFL this season would decide to waste his talent.

[am Bays]

I dont think it's overly concerning it's a reality

I think it is a reflection of the fact that the AFL is an all encompassing environment and after 8-10 years either preparing to get drafted and then in the case of the likes of Burgess having to do everything possible to stay on a list, the opportunity to go and earn easy $$$ in a casual environment where you dont have to train five times a week is attractive from a lifestyle point of view.

When the dream is gone you want to move on with the next phase of your life.

It's been the case for over 20 years now ex-AFL players choosing a less stress full footy environment where they can either go play with mates or get easy $$$.

[Eagles2014]

It's official,
Burgess has signed with Paskeville.
It's really concerning for the SANFL that a talented 26 year old bloke that played in the AFL this season would decide to waste his talent.

He discussed the options with Tex and in the end was a no brainer decision for him. He felt really bad for Westies as he thought he owed them for helping start his AFL career.

Does he want to play AFL again - No
More money at Paskeville - slightly, Yes
Less commitment - Yes
Play with best mate - Yes

[wenchbarwer]

Burgess turns 30 later this month - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Burgess_(footballer)

[CENTURION]

Burgess turns 30 later this month

Ok, thanks, I thought he was much younger.

[wenchbarwer]

I dont think it's overly concerning it's a reality

I think it is a reflection of the fact that the AFL is an all encompassing environment and after 8-10 years either preparing to get drafted and then in the case of the likes of Burgess having to do everything possible to stay on a list, the opportunity to go and earn easy $$$ in a casual environment where you dont have to train five times a week is attractive from a lifestyle point of view.

When the dream is gone you want to move on with the next phase of your life.

It's been the case for over 20 years now ex-AFL players choosing a less stress full footy environment where they can either go play with mates or get easy $$$.

100% it's lifestyle. The SANFL commitment is pretty all encompassing as well when you factor in having to have a fulltime job.

I've seen a lot of talented junior kids who are now in their mid 20's with zero connection with their SANFL zoned clubs, despite playing a heap of games for them.

The SANFL environment is AFL-lite, why wouldn't you want to earn more money and play with your mates, while still having free time during the week?

[Booney]

Thank You, Connor
From big goals to big moments, Connor McFadyen time in the Double Blue comes to an end as we wish him well for what’s next. Since joining the Club, Connor has been a consistent and dynamic presence up forward, a powerful marking target and reliable finisher who has played a vital role in our recent success.
A 2025 League Premiership Player, 2024 State Senior Team representative, 2024 Sturt Leading Goalkicker, 2023 League Grand Final Player and member of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, Connor has left an indelible mark on our Club.
Senior Coach Marty Mattner said: “Connor has been a key part of our forward structure with his strength, work rate and finishing. He’s had a big impact on and off the field, and his consistency has been outstanding across his time at the Club.”
We thank Connor for everything he’s given to the Double Blues and wish him continued success in his future endeavours

[whufc]

It's official,
Burgess has signed with Paskeville.
It's really concerning for the SANFL that a talented 26 year old bloke that played in the AFL this season would decide to waste his talent.

*Wasted??

His talent will provide a huge boost for that community. Going to be a great atmosphere down at that club, I'm sure the juniors are going to love watching him play.

[CENTURION]

Thank You, Connor
From big goals to big moments, Connor McFadyen time in the Double Blue comes to an end as we wish him well for what’s next. Since joining the Club, Connor has been a consistent and dynamic presence up forward, a powerful marking target and reliable finisher who has played a vital role in our recent success.
A 2025 League Premiership Player, 2024 State Senior Team representative, 2024 Sturt Leading Goalkicker, 2023 League Grand Final Player and member of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, Connor has left an indelible mark on our Club.
Senior Coach Marty Mattner said: “Connor has been a key part of our forward structure with his strength, work rate and finishing. He’s had a big impact on and off the field, and his consistency has been outstanding across his time at the Club.”
We thank Connor for everything he’s given to the Double Blues and wish him continued success in his future endeavours

Where's he off to?

[SecretInformant]

Thank You, Connor
From big goals to big moments, Connor McFadyen time in the Double Blue comes to an end as we wish him well for what’s next. Since joining the Club, Connor has been a consistent and dynamic presence up forward, a powerful marking target and reliable finisher who has played a vital role in our recent success.
A 2025 League Premiership Player, 2024 State Senior Team representative, 2024 Sturt Leading Goalkicker, 2023 League Grand Final Player and member of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, Connor has left an indelible mark on our Club.
Senior Coach Marty Mattner said: “Connor has been a key part of our forward structure with his strength, work rate and finishing. He’s had a big impact on and off the field, and his consistency has been outstanding across his time at the Club.”
We thank Connor for everything he’s given to the Double Blues and wish him continued success in his future endeavours

Where's he off to?

I heard Country Victoria. Offer was to good to refuse for a couple of $K PER GAME and a sign on bonus.

[wenchbarwer]

He's getting serious with cricket instead

Sturt premiership star Connor McFadyen swaps Sherrin for a Kookaburra

Connor McFadyen had long wondered how far he could have gone with his cricket.

Now – after spending the past nine years focusing on football – the former Australia under-16 representative is testing the waters.

Fresh from playing a starring role in Sturt winning this year’s SANFL premiership, the gun full forward has turned to taking cricket seriously again – swapping the Sherrin for a Kookaburra – and is uncertain whether he will play SANFL again.

The 25-year-old has linked up with his younger brother, Noah, at SACA Premier Cricket club Adelaide and joined the exclusive club of dual sportsmen to play both cricket and football at a high level.

“When I was younger I could have tried to go down the cricket path but I chose footy instead,’’ McFadyen said.

“Now I want to see how far I can go with my cricket. I don’t have any plans to make it as a professional but I want to see if I can do all right for Adelaide while also getting the chance to play with my brother.’’

The powerfully-built, 191cm McFadyen represented Australia’s under-16 side as an all-rounder in 2016 – alongside current state-contracted cricketers Liam Scott and Mackenzie Harvey (South Australia) and Oliver Davies (NSW) – after shining for Queensland at state under-15, under-17 and under-19 level.

But he pulled the pin on the sport to focus on football – where he had been a member of the Brisbane Lions Academy since age 11 and had made the 2018 All-Australian under-18 team for the Allies – and was rewarded by being selected by his hometown club the Lions at pick 42 at the 2018 AFL national draft.

“Growing up I was probably better at cricket than footy, but I had a real desire to try to make it in the AFL,’’ he said.

Following his delisting, McFadyen moved to Adelaide in 2023 to join Sturt in the hope of playing well enough to catch the eye of AFL recruiters and revive his AFL dream.

He moved in with good friend and former Queensland under-age state cricket teammate Nathan McSweeney, who has gone on to captain SA and make the Australia Test team, and enjoyed three strong SANFL seasons with Sturt.

Playing initially as a key defender and then later at full forward, McFadyen made the 2023 The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year and featured in two grand finals for the Double Blues, losing to Glenelg in 2023 and turning the tables against the Tigers in this year’s premiership decider, capping a season for the ages where Sturt lost only one game.

But an AFL recall never came, prompting McFadyen to opt – temporarily at least – for a code switch.

Wiping the rust away by playing some hard-wicket cricket with Double Blues teammates Charlie Fryer and James Richards at Hills club Stirling in the previous two seasons, McFadyen has given away his once deadly medium-pace bowling, instead trying his hand at off-spin, while continuing to use his powerhouse physique as a hard-hitting, middle-order batsman.

“I had fun playing in the Hills league but I didn’t take it that seriously because the competition wasn’t that strong,’’ he said.

“I won the association medal while only playing half the games and thinking that I didn’t do that well. I filled in for a couple of T20 games for Adelaide during that time and really enjoyed them, so it got me thinking that maybe I should give a higher level of cricket another go to see how far I could go.

“Now here I am and hopefully I can do well, both for Adelaide and myself.’’

Describing himself as a “middle-order batsman who scores quickly and a part-time offie’’, McFadyen has played six First Grade matches for the Buffalos this season – three T20s, two One-Day Cup games and a two-day clash where he was presented with his baggy red cap.

He is averaging 13 with the bat and has taken a wicket, with a couple of run outs in T20s ruining his average.

Fellow all-rounder Noah followed in his dad’s footsteps last season by tying for the prestigious Bradman Medal as SACA Premier Cricket’s most outstanding men’s player in his first year in Adelaide.

Brian won the medal in 1990-91 with Port Adelaide while he was a member of the then SA-based Australian Cricket Academy.

“Dad’s given me a little bit of positive feedback with my cricket in the past few weeks, which has been nice,’’ McFadyen said.

“He loves watching me play footy but he doesn’t mind me having another crack at cricket, which is cool.’’

McFadyen had only played cricket with Noah once prior to this season – when Noah made his First XI debut for St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Connor’s final school match.

“It’s great to be able to play with Noah again but the roles have certainly been reversed,’’ he said.

“In the one previous game we played together I was captain and presented him with his cap

and now he’s captain and telling me what to do.

“It’s not ideal but he’s very smart with his cricket and we have plenty of fun together.’’

Before choosing cricket, Noah was also a fine footballer who was in the Lions academy and made the 2019 All-Australian under-16 team.

Despite being one of the SANFL’s best players – he has kicked 86 goals, including 38 last season, in 57 games for Sturt – McFadyen is uncertain whether he will return to the competition next season.

“I’ve loved playing with Sturt for the past three years, the boys have been awesome and it was great to win the granny this year,’’ he said.

“I came over here to further my footy career and to try to get back on an AFL list and while the AFL part didn’t happen I got back to enjoying my footy again.

“As for next year, I’m not too sure at the moment, I’m still weighing things up. The club’s been good about it, putting a contract to me and asking me to get back to them when I can, so we’ll see what happens.’’

The last two dual sportsmen to play regular SANFL league football and SACA Premier Cricket in the same year were the just-retired Luke Reynolds and Isaac Johnson in 2018-19.
Reynolds played football for Glenelg and cricket for Port while Johnson played footy for West Adelaide and cricket for West Torrens.