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.
After three successful seasons at the helm of our Senior Women’s team, Ryan “Skully” Skouborg will be stepping down as Senior Women’s Coach to pursue a new coaching opportunity with South Adelaide.
Ryan has made a significant contribution to our women’s football program over the past three seasons, guiding the Senior Women to the Finals series in each year of his tenure, including an outstanding 2024 season which saw the team narrowly defeated by Blackwood in the Grand Final.
A highly talented and knowledgeable coach, Ryan brought considerable experience to the role through his involvement with the highly successful South Adelaide SANFL Women’s program, where he has been involved since its inaugural season in 2018.
Throughout his time with the Devils, Ryan has generously shared that knowledge and professionalism with both our players and coaches. His contribution has helped further develop our players, strengthen our coaching group and continue the growth of the respected women’s football program we have at the club.
While we are certainly sad to see Ryan leave, we are extremely pleased and proud to see him take the next step in his coaching journey. Next season, Ryan will join South Adelaide’s Women’s League team as a line coach, taking responsibility for their midfield.
On behalf of everyone at the club, we sincerely thank Ryan for his commitment, hard work and tremendous contribution over the past three seasons. He leaves with the respect and appreciation of our players, coaches and the wider club.
We wish Ryan every success in his new role with South Adelaide next season and look forward to welcoming him back to the club whenever he gets the opportunity.
Once a Devil, always a Devil!! Thanks for everything Skully, and all the very best for your next chapter!!
“At Mt Lofty we’re building a respectful, positive football environment for everyone.”
Mt Lofty Football Club would like to remind all players, coaches, officials and supporters of the SANFL Behaviour Management System (BMS).
This system is in place across all SANFL-affiliated competitions to promote a safe, respectful and positive environment for everyone involved in our game.
Under the BMS, behaviour at matches is monitored and recorded, with points allocated for any breaches. It is important to understand that this applies to all participants — including players, coaches, team officials and spectators — and that poor behaviour can result in penalties for both individuals and the club.
At Mt Lofty, we pride ourselves on being a strong, community-focused club, and we expect all members and supporters to uphold the values of respect, sportsmanship and accountability. In particular, respect for umpires and opposition is non-negotiable.
We ask everyone to play their part in creating a positive game day environment and setting the right example for our junior players.
“Your behaviour reflects on the club — all grades PLUS the club can be penalised.”
See below for the HFL sanctions for any breaches and new rules as of 2026.
As we head into the upcoming junior season, we’d like to take the opportunity to remind all players, parents, and coaches of the SANFL Junior Fair Play approach.
The focus of junior football is to provide a fun, safe and inclusive environment where all players can develop their skills and enjoy the game. While competition remains an important part of football, the priority at junior level is participation, learning and enjoyment.
Under the Fair Play guidelines, games may be actively managed to ensure they remain competitive and enjoyable for all participants. This may include adjustments such as rotating players, balancing teams, or other measures where required.
Coaches and officials are expected to support and implement these principles at all times. We also ask parents and spectators to support the spirit of Fair Play by encouraging all players, respecting umpires, and focusing on effort and improvement rather than results.
These guidelines are set by the SANFL and apply across all affiliated junior competitions. Our club is committed to upholding these standards and providing a positive experience for every player.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the club.
