South Adelaide Welcome former Bomber Callum McCarty and Panther Junior Arlo Draper.

The South Adelaide Football Club is excited to welcome two additions to the side for the 2024 Hostplus SANFL League Season with former Bomber Callum McCarty and Panther junior and former Magpie Arlo Draper. 

McCarty joins the Panthers from a season with Essendon's VFL side where he played 9 games averaging 16 disposals.

The 23-year-old also played 13 games for the Strathfieldsaye Football Club in Country Victoria. 

McCarty is a strong inside midfielder with a handy left foot. 

When talking about his decision to join the Panthers, McCarty said it was an easy decision. 

"Meeting the coaching staff and players, the Club was very welcoming and made me feel at home." Said Callum McCarty. 

"With a young and exciting list coming through and the direction of where the Club is going, it’s an exciting future and something I’d love to be part of. "

"The decision to join the Panthers was an easy one in the end."

McCarty is also excited about the opportunity to come across and play in the SANFL.

"Coming over from VFL football, I’m expecting SANFL football to be a more contested brand of footy."

"The opportunity to improve and play at a high standard of football will be a challenge I’m looking forward to."

"I’m looking forward to playing with a new and exciting group this season, and helping move the Club forward and winning games of footy."

Senior Coach Jarrad Wright is excited to welcome McCarty who will bolster the Panthers midfield. 

"Having been tracking and speaking with Callum over the past 4 to 5 months we have certainly found a quality person who has a terrific attitude towards hard work and buying into a team ethos." Said Senior Coach Jarrad Wright

"Cal is a strong inside mid with smart stoppage craft and clean hands. His workrate to defend and support his team mates where ever possible was something that stood out for us this year."

"Callum has a strong appreciation for the competition and what it takes to succeed and he has every attribute to do so which is exciting."

Joining McCarty in the blue and white for 2024 is former Magpie Arlo Draper. 

The Panther junior was taken by Collingwood with pick 45 in the 2021 AFL draft. 

Draper made his debut for South Adelaide in round 17 against North Adelaide in 2021. 

While Draper didn't get an opportunity at AFL level, he played 31 VFL games over the last two seasons and averaged 17 disposals a game in 2023. 

Having returned home, Draper is looking forward to returning to Noarlunga. 

"I’d say I’m most excited to be back in an environment I’ve grown up in with good people all throughout the Club." Said Arlo Draper.

"We have a really exciting young list so it’s a great opportunity to be a part of hopefully some really positive development as a Club"

When talking about his time with Collingwood, Draper is keen to use his experiences in the AFL system to not only continue to grow his game but also help those around him. 

"I was obviously pretty privileged to be involved in a fairly successful organisation over the past two years, I joined Collingwood after they finished 17th the year before, so I was there to witness their resurgence and learnt a lot."

"Hopefully I can use some of the knowledge I gained to help the team on the field as well as off"

However, what Arlo is looking forward to the most is having the opportunity to play with his brother Sid. 

"The opportunity to play with Sid was one of the biggest things that pulled me to come back home."

"He’s hopefully in for a really big year so to be able to be a part of that and help him through it is really special"

Senior Coach Jarrad Wright is really excited to see Draper back with the Panthers. 

"Arlo was drafted as a dynamic mid/fwd and has since developed his defensive craft and rebound whilst at Collingwood the past 2 years, so he has plenty of flexibility to where he can play." Said Senior Coach Jarrad Wright.

"Im really excited to continue to develop his game through our midfield utilising his speed and power out of contest but also Arlo can be very dangerous inside F50, which is what he showed in his 18th year here at South and earning his league debut prior to departure in 2021."

"We welcome Arlo back with open arms and with so many close mates and younger brother Sid at the club, it certainly boosts the excitement with Arlo coming back to the Panfs family."