From Balaklava to the Barossa, Todd Thorne Shapes the Future of Country Football
If you’ve spent any time around footy north of Adelaide, chances are you’ve come across Todd Thorne.
From the sidelines to junior clinics, Todd Thorne’s impact on regional footy has been hard to miss, and now his contribution has been recognised at the highest level, with SANFL Life Membership.
After more than two decades of dedication to growing the game, it’s a well-earned honour for one of country footy’s most familiar faces.
He Could Play a Bit Too
Like most good country footy stories, Todd’s started young, pulling on the boots at Balaklava while still in primary school.
A stint in Adelaide followed, lining up with Glenelg’s under 19s and reserves, but it wasn’t long before country footy called him home.
Or more accurately, Mallala did.
After meeting a local girl, Todd found himself back on Adelaide Plains turf, and it didn’t take long for him to make his mark.
A towering ruckman and forward for the Magpies, he became a key figure at Mallala Football Club, earning life membership and picking up three APFL Mail Medals along the way.
From Country Player to Driving Force Behind the Game
Even as his playing days wound down, hanging up the boots at 35 while still holding his spot in Mallala’s A grade side, Todd’s connection to footy was only getting stronger.
Since stepping into a Regional Football Coordinator role with SANFL back in 2005, he’s poured his time and energy into growing the game across the Barossa, Lower North and Adelaide Plains.
In 2021, he stepped into a leadership role, overseeing development across the Adelaide Plains, North Eastern and Barossa Light and Gawler competitions.
But for Todd, it’s never just been about numbers.
It’s about people.
Growing the Game — For Everyone
Over the past decade, one of the biggest changes Todd has seen is the rise of women’s football.
And he hasn’t just watched it happen, he’s helped build it.
Todd played a key role in establishing both the Barossa Light and Gawler and Northern Plains female competitions, which now sees hundreds of girls and women taking the field each week.
“These days, we’re seeing girls come through who’ve had the chance to choose footy as their number one sport from the start,” he said.
“And that’s something we just didn’t see years ago.”
With more than 550 players now involved in female football across the Barossa Light and Gawler competition alone, it’s a shift that’s changing the face of the game.
More Than Just Players
For Todd, there’s more to footy than leading players to the top of their game, it’s about making sure everyone can be involved in the footy community.
From Auskick clinics, including programs for children with disabilities and multicultural backgrounds, to expanding competitions across regional leagues, his focus has always been on making the game accessible to everyone.
And the numbers back it up.
“Auskick topped 13,000 participants in 2025, and there are now around 68,000 people involved in football across South Australia,” he said.
“Our aim this year is to reach 70,000.”
At the end of the day, Todd’s just a genuine fan of the game.
A Crows supporter, but not a one-eyed one, he’s always been about good footy, whoever takes home the win.
He’ll also be looking back on his first big footy win later this year, marking the 40-year reunion of Balaklava’s A grade grand final win over United, bringing things full circle.
Want more South Aussie stories like this? Subscribe here for free
