Oscar Brownless is set to play in the SANFL with South Adelaide in 2022.
The 21-year-old was delisted by Geelong in October after three years with the club, failing to play a senior game in the blue and white hoops.
He has opted to move away from his home town in a bid to play some regular senior footy, landing on the Panthers after holding talks with multiple clubs.
Brownless has explained why he will leave Geelong behind and suit up for South Adelaide next year.
“I was pretty keen to get out of Victoria,” the son of Cats great Billy said on SEN Mornings.
“I wanted to play interstate if I could. I’ve lived in Geelong all my life and it gets quite small down there, so I thought a change might be good for me both on and off the field.
“I was talking to a few different state league clubs from both Perth and Adelaide. I didn’t have much knowledge of the other leagues, but I thought the SANFL looked like a great league and the Panthers seemed like a great fit.
“After speaking to Jarrad (Wright), the coach, and a few of their senior players it was a pretty easy choice in the end.”
Brownless spent more time in the midfield for the VFL Cats in 2021 and expects to do the same for the Panthers.
He will step into the slot vacated by North Melbourne’s number one draft pick Jason Horne-Francis where he will operate next to reigning joint Magarey Medallist and former AFL star Bryce Gibbs.
“I loved playing a bit more time inside this year in the VFL. There were limited opportunities with COVID, but I thought I was able to progress in that area,” he added.
“I think moving forward that is the position I’ll be playing. Especially as the Panthers lost a couple of boys, a couple were drafted, so I think there is a spot to play alongside ‘Gibbo’ which will be great to learn from a player of his calibre.
“Just from the brief amount of time, he seems like an absolute star. On the field he’s obviously a great player, but he also helps out with the development of younger kids and takes a real interest in that.
“A fantastic teammate already, you can tell, and I look forward to playing with him next year.”
The 2018 AFL draftee was thrilled to have gained so much experience during his time at Kardinia Park and admits he is forever grateful to the club for giving him a chance.
“I’ve learnt plenty through my time there. Hopefully I can take some of that knowledge and experience with me,” he said.
“Most importantly the relationships I built there with the players and staff members are certainly ones I’ll carry for life.
“Extremely grateful and I’ll forever be in debt to Geelong for drafting me, but I’m looking forward to this next chapter.”
The Panthers finished fifth on the SANFL ladder last season and won two finals before succumbing to Glenelg in the Preliminary Final.