Jarrad Wright extends contract with South Adelaide

South Adelaide is pleased to reveal senior coach Jarrad Wright has put pen to paper on a contract extension that will keep him at the club through the end of 2020.

Since taking on the role of senior coach at the end of 2017, Wright has guided the Panthers to 14 wins, nine losses and two draws and importantly led his side back into the Finals in his first season at the helm.

South currently sit inside the top five in search of their first consecutive Finals appearances since the 1991-92 seasons.

Wright's coaching acumen has also been recognized externally, with his inclusion to the coaching panel that will direct the SANFL's State Team against the WAFL this Sunday in Perth.

South Adelaide Chief Executive Officer, Neill Sharpe said the Club was confident of the direction it was heading under Wright's leadership.

"We are very pleased to have Jarrad extend his stay in Noarlunga for a further season," said Sharpe.

"His influence on our football program in his short time with the Club is evident and we believe our playing group is in great hands with Jarrad as our senior coach.

"We look forward to the rest of 2019 and 2020 with Jarrad at the helm and hopefully a period of sustained success that the South Adelaide Football Club deserves."

Wright declared he was excited for what lies ahead for the Panthers current playing group.

"I am very thankful for the opportunity to coach at South Adelaide and excited for what the future holds for the remainder of this year and then moving into 2020," said Wright.

"We have a developing list which will provide us the solid foundation for continued success moving into the future.

"However, the challenge and focus always remains on winning games and finals.

"I believe we are on the right path to achieve this."

Prior to being appointed as senior coach at South Adelaide, Wright underwent an extensive coaching apprenticeship that included stints as an assistant coach at both Woodville-West Torrens and South Adelaide, guiding the Eagles Reserves to back-to-back premierships and taking control of his own program at Henley Sharks and leading them to a premiership in the SAAFL.

Also a talented player, Wright was drafted by the Brisbane Lions with pick 35 of the 2001 AFL National Draft, after leading South Australia's Under-18s, and spent two years on their list through their premiership successes of the early 2000s under the tutelage of the great Leigh Matthews.

Wright's playing career also included over 100 Senior State League games with South Adelaide, Woodville-West Torrens (SANFL) and the Brisbane Lions (QAFL) and an Under-17s premiership with the Eagles.