Matt Rose Calls Time on His SANFL Career  

Matt Rose has advised the Club that he will hang up the boots at the end of the season.

Rose has played 189 league games prior to Round 17, and has kicked 45 goals.

The Largs Bay native made his SANFL debut in Round 2, 2010 for Port Adelaide, playing 50 games up till 2013. 

Following the Magpies and Power merger, Rose made the move to Flinders University Stadium at the start of the 2014 season, where he has become an integral part of the South Adelaide backline.  

Rose slotted in from the get-go by claiming the Mark Rawlins Memorial Trophy (Runner-Up Best & Fairest) in 2015. 

His consistency continued by being named the Best In Finals for his part in the 2016 campaign, off the back of a standout year where he averaged 24 disposals a game, a career-high.

However, perhaps the greatest honour was when Rose was named Co-Captain with Joel Cross for 2019, and sole captain from 2020-2022.

Since joining the Panthers, Rose's leadership was evident by being a part of the leadership group in his second season, followed by being named Vice-Captain for the next three years. 

Rose was also selected as part of the West End State Team on two occasions in 2018 & 2019 and was selected as Vice-Captain in 2019. 

After a rough run with injuries over the last three years, Rose feels like now is the right time to step away. 

"I've always wanted to push myself to play the highest level possible for as long as I can and I think mentally and physically I have done my best to do that." Said Matt Rose. 

"When I came to South Adelaide at the end of 2013 I never would have thought I would have played 10 years here and to captain such a proud club for 4 years is something I will cherish forever."

"Although I have come close a few times with 3 preliminary finals, unfortunately that ultimate success has not happened yet but I am very confident it is not far away with the program, staff and players we have at the club."

"The close friendships and relationships I have made from not only within this current group but across the 10 years are what make footy clubs so great and many of these will last a lifetime."

Rose also thanks the South Adelaide Community for their support of him over his time at the club. 

"I want to say a big thank you to Neill Sharpe who was the one who made contact to get me down to South and obviously all of my great senior coaches along the way."

"Tony Bamford and Kenny Mac at the magpies and then Gotchy, Buddha and of course Boofa at South who have all supported me a lot."

"Also thank you to all the assistant coaches, office staff, backroom staff and of course the members and supporters across the years who do an amazing job. Special thank you to the medical team who have given me a lot of time over the last few years to get me on the park."

"Lastly a massive thanks to my family, especially my parents and girlfriend Liv who have been amazing over the journey through the good times and the not so good times."

"I’ll definitely miss the club and the people involved but look forward to staying apart of the South Adelaide community for many years to come."

When talking about Rose's impact on the club, Senior Coach Jarrad Wright mentioned that he as been a well-respected leader of the football club. 

"Matt has been an absolute terrific clubman since he arrived at the South Adelaide." Said Senior Coach Jarrad Wright

"His commitment and dedication to his teammates has certainly been the driving force to his fruitful career spanning 14 years & 189 games of SANFL league football."

"Matt's resilience and persistence over his journey as a player sets such a great example for our youth coming through about the hard work, dedication it takes to play at the level and thats why he is so well respected by our playing group."

"Matt can certainly hang the boots up knowing that he has done everything in his control to leave the club in a better position than he arrived. Congratulation on a great career and thank you for being an unbelievable leader."

Matt Rose

• 189* SANFL Games
• 139* South Adelaide Games 
• 45* goals
• Captain 2020-2022
• Co-captain 2019
• Vice Captain 2016-2018
• Mark Rawlins Memorial Trophy, Runner-Up Best & Fairest 2015
• Best In Finals 2016
• Third Best & Fairest 2017
• SANFL State Team Selection 2018 & 2019
• SANFL State Team Vice-Captain 2019
• Frank Barry Medalist 2019

*Prior to Round 17 v Port Adelaide