Brooksby back in blue and white for 2020

South Adelaide is excited to announce that Keegan Brooksby will return home to Flinders University Stadium in 2020.

After returning to the Panthers in 2018 from a 3-season stint at the Gold Coast Suns, Brooksby had an outstanding 2018 campaign which saw him become one of the premier rucks in the SANFL. 

At the end of the 2018 season, Brooksby was offered another AFL lifeline by the West Coast Eagles as part of the pre-season supplemental selection period (SPP).

After spending a year in the WAFL, Brooksby played 20 games for the Eagles where he was in scintillating form which was confirmed by taking out the 2019 Best & Fairest for West Coast.

"We're really excited to have Keegan return home after a year in an AFL environment" said Senior Coach Jarrad Wright.

"In 2018 when he returned from the Gold Coast, the leadership and maturity he brought really helped push and develop our very young team" 

"His presence around the ground will certainly generate belief for the group"

"More importantly his ruck craft will provide first use for our new look midfield," 

"Leaving last year after being around for one season was not what I was really expecting to happen" said Brooksby

"To come back to the club, hopefully for good is something I'm really looking forward to"

When talking about his year at West Coast, Brooksby is excited to use some of his experiences to his advantage.

"I think you just get different look at a different environment"

"I've had some key takeaways on how they did things and they've obviously been successful"

"It's been a valuable experience learning from Adam Simpson, who was under the Clarko system at Hawthorn "

"I certainly felt that after the 2018 season, that we probably were on the cusp of being very competitive"

"To get that first season under Boof and play a final, the group is ready to take the next step"

"Younger blokes are getting plenty of experience and we're in a position where we can really push on"

After making the switch from basketball to football, Brooksby quickly climbed the ranks in the Panthers junior program, claiming the 2009 Centre of Excellence U18 Best & Fairest.

His rapid improvement continued at senior level, winning the League Most Improved Award on two occasions (2011 and 2013) before firmly establishing himself as the premier ruckman in the competition in 2014.

Under the tutelage of Brad Gotch, he was selected in the SANFL State Team and Advertiser Team of the Year, before being honoured as the Panthers Best & Fairest at the Knuckey Cup in 2014.

On his return in 2018, Brooksby was named Co-Captian with Joel Cross.

Keegan also continues the tradition of the Brooksby name at South Adelaide, with his father Phil and uncle Graham playing 278 and 125 games respectively for South Adelaide in the 1970s and 80s.

The club is ecstatic to have Keegan back in blue and white and look forward to him playing a key role within the senior playing group in what will be a big 2020.

Keegan Brooksby

Playing Record

• South Adelaide - 72 games (2010 - 2014)
• Gold Coast Suns -  14 games (2015 - 2017)
• South Adelaide - 19 games (2018)
• West Coast Eagles (WAFL) -  20 games (2019)

Accolades

• U18 Best & Fairest - 2009
• U18 Leading Goal Kicker - 2009
• League Most Improved - 2011 & 2013
• SANFL State Team - 2014
• The Advertiser Team of the Year - 2014
• Knuckey Cup winner - 2014
• Drafted by Gold Coast Suns (2015 & 2017 rookie draft)
• SPP listed by West Coast Eagles (2019)
• Gold Coast Suns NEAFL Player of the Year - 2016
• Mark Rawlins Trophy (Runner-Up Best & Fairest) - 2018
• West Coast Eagles WAFL Best & Fairest - 2019

Brookers is #SouthProud...are you?