South Adelaide's Milestone Men
Bradley Crabb, 200th game
The veteran defender and former club captain from Kangaroo Island is on track to join the SANFL's '200 Club' in the Panthers Round 3 clash with Glenelg at the Bay. Reaching that milestone would make Crabby the first 200-game Panther since Trent Mills in 2004. If he plays all 18 home and away games this season it would push him into 11th all time on games played for South Adelaide, one behind champion wingman Ron Hateley's mark of 216.
Matt Rose, 150th SANFL game; 100th South Adelaide game
The newly promoted co-captain is on track for a double milestone in 2019. After playing 50 games with Port Adelaide Magpies before making the switch to Noarlunga, it is fitting that Rosey could notch his 150th SANFL game and 100th game for South Adelaide against his old side in Round 15. It is a mark that could have come earlier for the 27-year-old if not for some injury woes in recent seasons, but the skipper is fit and firing this year and ready to lead our backline with his trademark courageous play.
50 Gamers
Sam Overall (51 games) - the Panthers game-changing, but injury plagued key forward has inched towards his first South Adelaide milestone since bursting onto the scene in 2014, but notched his 50th appearance in blue and white in Round 1 this season.
Tyson Brown (49 games) - a likewise luckless run with injuries has stunted Tyson Brown's progress up the games played tally since making his League debut in 2011. Now an established presence in South's backline expect him to burst past 50 games like he bursts off the halfback flank.
Joseph Haines (48 games) - Joey made his debut in 2013 alongside the diminutive Caleb Daniel. After several years being in and out of the League side he now finds himself as an important part of the Panthers defence, playing all 19 games and finishing fifth in Knuckey Cup voting in 2018.
Emmanuel Irra (40 club games) - always a crowd favourite thanks to his explosive dash and dare to break the lines, the E-Man has returned to the Panthers in 2018 after two years on Port Adelaide's AFL list as a Category B Rookie.
Ben Heaslip (44 games) - after making his debut in the Good Friday clash with Glenelg at the Bay in 2015, Slippa has steadily entrenched himself in the League team. He played 18 of 19 games in 2019 and is now a member of the leadership group. He is in line to notch his 50th on another public holiday as the Panthers clash with Norwood on the Queen's Birthday.
Tom Whittlesea (39 games) - Whitts played 12 League games in 2018 after making the switch from Woodville-West Torrens to reunite with former Reserves coach Jarrad Wright. Hayden McLean's move to Sydney opens the door to secure his spot in South's forward line and add to that tally.
Abe Davis (34 games) - after an injury spoiled debut season, Davis delivered a strong sophomore campaign as he played all 19 games in 2019. An equally devastating big-bodied midfielder and goal-kicking forward, Davis finished third in Knuckey Cup voting and fifth in the Magarey Medal. He will need another clean bill of health and play the full duration of the home and away season to reach game number 50 in 2019.
100 Goal Kickers
The years of 100 goal single seasons may be behind us, but the new 6-6-6 rule should open the ground for more scoring in 2019.
Nick Liddle (88 career goals), Ben Haren (67) and Sam Overall (71) are all within reach of raising the bat in front of the sticks for their career tallies.
Debutants
After handing nine players their League debut last season, and with another talented crop of juniors progressing into the senior program, expect the Panthers to blood a few more new faces throughout the season.
Darnell Tucker was the latest Panthers junior to progress to the League side, while ruckman Michael Knoll and former West Coast wingman Malcolm Karpany have also donned the blue and white for the first time.
