Magpies lock Sutton into top role

THE final piece of the Riverland Football League’s A grade coaching jigsaw puzzle is in place, following the confirmation Jackson Sutton has re-signed with Waikerie.

A legend of the football club, Sutton took on the role ahead of season 2025, guiding the Magpies to yet another finals series, before they were bounced out in the first semi final at the hands of Loxton North.

Coming into the position, Sutton’s key philosophies were about wanting to play attacking football, and that was achieved, with Waikerie scoring more than 70 points on six occasions.

Sutton said the decision to sign on with Waikerie was an easy one, having “enjoyed” taking on the top role in 2025.

“It’s a big job, and there’s a lot more that goes into it than you realise before you do it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said.

“I think you should do it for more than one year anyway, and they were my intentions, and I’ve now got the feel for it, so I’m really excited and looking forward to 2026.

“The final was disappointing, and we just stopped playing our brand of football late on, and then we copped a few injuries, so we would’ve really battled in the preliminary final if we’d got through.

“Health wasn’t our strong suit throughout the year, and our B grade and under 18s were tested with numbers at different stages.

“That final wasn’t the direct reason for me wanting to continue on, because I really enjoyed the boys and I love footy.”

Sutton was confirmed as the Magpies coach in October 2024, and while he has been a consistent figure at the nest for a long period, he believes he is better prepared this time.

Told by the club he would be continuing on if he wished in the early stages of the off-season, he said he has been able to build a strong pre-season program as a result.

“It’s a lot calmer to be able to start planning in October and November rather than trying to rush things before the Christmas break, so it’s been a lot smoother this time,” he said.

“I still believe that some of our best football could have matched anyone on the day, but fitness was a key, and we were unable to run out games the way we wanted.

“Fitness is definitely a driver for us this summer, and we haven’t had a lot of luck with injuries, but it’s about having a style of football people want to come and watch as well.

“There were moments where people probably thought we might be able to go all the way, but we were definitely tested with depth.

“There weren’t too many Thursday nights where I had to drop anyone, and I think you need to be making tough decisions to have premiership sides.

“We’re getting reasonable numbers out on the track already, and we’ll train right up until Christmas and then have a little break, and the guys have done work outside of football as well.”

Season 2025 also saw the Magpies officially open the Waikerie Community Hub, something which was thoroughly enjoyed by the locals.

Often packed on matchdays, Sutton said the facility gave his players a boost on certain occasions, with Waikerie already welcoming in new faces.

“You’d come back out after half time, and it was pretty cool to see and hear the noise after a few more people had come, and we had a fair crowd up there,” he said.

“Sam Chambers has returned to us after a year at his home club Flinders Park, but he’s re-committed.

“We’re bringing in Jesse Potts and Charlie Hay as well, and we’ve been able to retain almost everyone from last year apart from Callum Haddon, who joined in mid-season.”

While fitness is a clear focus for the Magpies, Sutton said he will also be hoping his side can play a more consistent brand of football in 2026.

“You just have to be consistent if you want to be successful, and kicking is a high priority as well, because you have to have good kickers in your football side,” he said.

“We’re looking for the basics to be perfect, and I’m not particularly strategic, but you’ve got to want it, and work hard, and your skills have to match the style you want to play.

“I want to play an aggressive, fast style of football, and we’ve got the footballs out at training already, and they’ve been out since the first session, so guys are already getting good touch.

“Not too much will change, but we’ll just keep looking to play the way we want to play.”