Delisted Hawthorn tall Keegan Brooksby is set for another stint at South Adelaide after signing with the Panthers for 2022.
Brooksby's AFL career began with Gold Coast following a promising career with the SANFL side, playing 14 games for the Suns across three years in Queensland.
After being delisted by Gold Coast in 2017, Brooksby returned to South Adelaide before being recruited to West Coast through the Supplemental Selection Period, where he failed to break into Adam Simpson's side.
The lack of opportunities at both the Suns and Eagles saw Brooksby continue to flourish at state level however, winning the NEAFL Player of the Year Award in 2016 and the Eagles' WAFL best and fairest in 2019.
After being delisted by West Coast, Brooksby was then signed by the Hawks in March the next year, gaining another lifeline through the SSP.
Brooksby made just the one appearance across two seasons with Hawthorn, featuring against Sydney in Round 8, 2020 - amassing five touches and 10 hit-outs.
Ruck
The 31-year-old was among five players not to be offered a new deal by the Hawks in September this year, departing Waverley and concluding another stint at AFL level.
The veteran ruckman has now returned to where it all started, signing with South Adelaide for the 2022 season.
"Really excited to be coming back to South Adelaide," Brooksby said on his return.
"The club holds an important place in our family and I look forward to reconnecting with supporters, players and staff for 2022. Canโt wait to see what we can achieve."
Brooksby is sure to fill a void in the Panthers' key-position stocks, with the club having lost swingman Sam Skinner to Port Adelaide.
during the NAB AFL Draft at the Cathedral Hotel on November 24, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)
A strong junior development has also seen star midfielder Jason Horne-Francis join North Adelaide with Pick 1 of the National Draft, while Matthew Roberts and Arlo Draper also landed AFL moves last week.
South Adelaide have been able to secure the services of ex-AFL talents Oscar Clavarino (St Kilda) and Sam Ramsay (Carlton) so far this off-season.
Hawthorn confirmed this week that Brooksby has been appointed as Hawks Academy Manager, while former Crows midfielder David Mackay will hold the role of Hawks Academy Coach.
