Football
11 April, 2026
HDFNL 2026 preview: Saints reloaded for 2026
After a winless 2025, the Edenhope Apsley Saints aim to climb the ladder in 2026.
Looking to lead the Saints to finals contention is new coach Toby Ferguson, who returned to the club three years ago after playing for the club as a junior in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League.
“I returned to South Australia in Adelaide about three years ago, and I got a phone call from the club, who asked if I wanted to play the next few years at Edenhope,” he said.
“Travelling back for footy each week was a bit of a commitment, but it was rewarding playing for my home club, seeing friends and going back to where it all started.”
Initially hesitant to take on the coaching position in the offseason, Ferguson eventually accepted the role after believing he could help the club move in a positive direction.
“I got the opportunity to be an assistant coach in Adelaide previously, and when the club approached me at the end of last season, I initially wasn't going to do it,” the coach said.
“As the weeks and months progressed, it’s something I took a bit more seriously.
“I thought, ‘What if it’s a chance to give back to the club?’
“I've got some networks up here in Adelaide player-wise, so I knew I could recruit.
“With the season we had last year, I saw it as an opportunity to make a difference; become competitive and start winning some games, and hopefully help the club move in the right direction.”
The Saints appear to be doing just that with the addition of talent and depth from South Australia, including Matt Spencely, Dylan Gerner, Billy Cameron, Matt Hodge, Corey Williams and Luke Cooper.
The club has also recruited Jasper Graham, Pierce Ferguson and Tom McDonnell.
With Ferguson training alongside a number of the Adelaide recruits, the coach is adamant that they are looking impressive.
“These guys make up a good chunk of our top-end talent, which is really important in being competitive,” he said.
“Billy Cameron is one who’s had a massive preseason; he’s super fit and looking very good on the track.
“There are other names like Matt Hodge, who has plenty of experience in country footy, has played at a high level and won premierships and league medals.”
But Ferguson admits the retention and return of local players has been just as pivotal, impressed by what they are showing at preseason.
“The vibe of the local boys is very important,” the coach said.
“It's good to bring in all these travelling players and recruits to help the club progress and be competitive, but having the numbers and buy-in locally is crucial.
“The local boys have been working hard in preseason, which is evident in the vibe around the club.”
While improvement is the primary goal for Ferguson, the new coach has ambitions to reach the finals.
“The goal is obviously to be competitive,” he said.
“I'm not coming over from Adelaide every week to make up the numbers and tick a box.
“We want to play finals, and everybody's brought into our goal of being super competitive, and we're working really hard on the track to make that happen.”