Keegan Brooksby hangs up the boots.

Two-time Knuckey Cup winner Keegan Brooksby, shared his decision with the club and his teammates on Thursday evening, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning over a decade.

The Brooksby name has resonated within the corridors of South Adelaide for nearly half a century, with Keegan's father, Phil, and uncle, Graham, playing 278 and 125 games respectively for the Panthers.

It's a legacy that Keegan has proudly carried forward, symbolised by his early memories of planting trees at Flinders University Stadium in 1995, mirroring his own growth within the sport.

Transitioning from basketball, Brooksby made his league debut against Norwood in round 18 of 2010, going on to play 126 league matches, including winning two Knuckey Cups in 2014 and 2023.

His leadership qualities were evident as he co-captained the club in 2018 with Dual Magarey Medalist Joel Cross and secured three selections in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, in 2018 as Captain and serving as vice-captain in 2023.

Brooksby would be selected with pick 42 by the Gold Coast Suns in the 2015 Rookie Draft, and would make his AFL debut in round 9 2015 ironically against Hawthorn. 

In 2016 Brooksby was the Suns NEAFL Player of the year, before returning to Noarlunga in 2018 for one season. 

He would then be picked up by West Coast in the Supplementary Selection Period (SSP) on the eve of the 2019 SANFL Season. 

Over the next two years he would take out the Eagles WAFL Best and Fairest, and almost returned to Flinders University Stadium before getting another AFL lifeline, this time with Hawthorn. 

With his return to the SANFL, Brooksby remained a formidable force in the ruck over the last two seasons. 

When telling his teammates of his decision, Brooksby highlights how much the club means to him. 

"I wanted to come in person and say thank you to the people who made my football journey possible." Said Keegan Brooksby. 

"Looking back, I really love South Adelaide, I love Footy and I love being competitive." 

"When I 18 and 19 I was lucky enough to don the blue and white, and my dream as a kid from a football point of view was to try and get that ultimate success for South Adelaide."

 "At times it was hard for me to leave the football club, but for me it was trying to be the best person I can be."

"I wouldn't have been able to to that if it wasn't for the coaches, staff, that i've had along the way, Neill who was Football Manager and now CEO, Jarrad and Brent especially in the last two years who allowed me to fly in and fly out."

"If there's one thing I can share with you guys [the playing group], what to take out of my journey is you never know what's going to happen, but if you put in the work you can sit back in 20 years time and say that I gave it everything I could, and I got so much out of it."

"I'll always be connected to South Adelaide,  and I will always be here or watching form afar, and look forward one day sooner rather than later that we can end a long drought." 

South Adelaide Senior Coach Jarrad Wright touched on the strong connection and impact Brooksby has had on the club over his journey. 

"Keegan has played a huge part in building a strong connection and culture over his journey at South Adelaide." Said Senior Coach Jarrad Wright

"What separates him from his peers is his pure determination to compete and perform week in week out for the love of the footy club."

"He is a great role model for many aspiring young Panthers that hard work and commitment to improve every day is a choice for individuals to make and Keegan has made every post a winner over his playing career."

"We thank Keegan for all of his contributions to the footy club and wish he and Abbey all the best for their future."

Keegan Brooksby 

• Player #1667
• Debut Round 18 2010 v Norwood (31/07/2010)
• 126 SANFL Games
• 48 Goals
• Knuckey Cup Winner 2014 & 2023
• Mark Rawlins Trophy Winner (Runner-Up Best & Fairest) 2018
• Co-Captain 2018 
• Flinders University Most Improved Player 2014 & 2018
• SANFL State Team Selection 2014
• The Advertiser Team of the Year 2014, 2018 (C), & 2023 (VC)
• Under-18 Best & Fairest 2009
• Under-18 Leading Goal Kicker 2009