🔴Welcome Home, Josh⚪
The Mt Lofty Football Club is thrilled to welcome home former junior player Josh Hone to the Devils and congratulate him on his appointment as Senior Men’s Player/Coach for the 2027 season.
Josh’s football journey began at Mt Lofty before earning selection with Sturt Football Club, where he went on to build one of the most distinguished SANFL careers of his generation.
His achievements speak for themselves:
- Member of the South Australian Under 18 State Championship-winning team in 2014
- 228 SANFL League games for Sturt
- 322 League goals
- Three-time SANFL Premiership Player (2016, 2017 and 2025)
- Four-time Sturt Leading Goal Kicker (2019, 2023, 2025 and 2026)
- Three-time Senior State Representative (2018, 2023 and 2026)
- SANFL Player Life Member
Whilst at Sturt, Josh has developed into not only an elite footballer but also a respected leader. He now returns to Mt Lofty bringing with him the experience, professionalism and knowledge gained across 13 seasons of SANFL League football.
Josh’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for our senior program. Along with his outstanding playing ability, he brings a fresh perspective, new ideas and a modern approach that will help drive the continued development of our senior squad both on and off the field.
As we welcome Josh home, we also extend our heartfelt thanks to Michael Bawden (Bawds) for his dedication and contribution over six seasons as Senior Men’s Coach. Bawds guided our team from the challenges of 2020 to three successive finals campaigns in 2023, 2024 and 2025, bringing a level of professionalism that has laid a strong foundation for our next chapter. Coaching demands an enormous investment of time, energy and care, and we are deeply grateful for all he has given to our players and the wider club.
We are delighted that Bawds will remain part of that next chapter, continuing as Senior Assistant Coach alongside Josh. His experience, knowledge and strong relationships with our players will provide valuable support as Josh settles into the role and builds on the foundations Bawds has helped establish.
We are incredibly proud to see one of our own return home to lead the club into the future. The opportunity for our players to learn from someone of Josh’s calibre is immense, and we look forward to seeing the impact he will have across the entire football program.
Please join us in welcoming Josh back to the Mt Lofty Football Club and congratulating him on his appointment as Senior Men’s Player/Coach for 2027.
Welcome home, Josh.
Josh Hone & President, Greg Bond
