Thank you: Joel Thiele

After 83 SANFL games and 17 goals in the Double Blue, Joel Thiele has concluded his time with the Sturt Football Club.

Debuting in Round 2, 2017 as player #1233, Joel arrived at Sturt from the Unley Jets and quickly established himself as a tough, dependable midfielder with a strong team-first mindset. A State Under 18’s representative in 2016, Joel’s early promise translated seamlessly to League level, where his consistency and work rate became hallmarks of his game.

Across his career, Joel’s contributions were recognised through a number of significant achievements, including the 2025 Josh Deegan Medal, 2019 Runner Up Josh Deegan Medal, 2018 Len Fitzgerald Most Improved Player Award, and being part of the 2017 Sturt Reserves Premiership side. He was also a 2023 League Grand Final Player, playing an important role on the club’s biggest stage.

Senior Coach Marty Mattner said: “Joel has been an outstanding player of this football club. His competitiveness, professionalism, and consistency over a long period set a great standard for those around him. He’s someone you could always rely to play a role, and he was a fantastic teammate and leader within our group.”

We thank Joel for his dedication and commitment to the Sturt Football Club and wish him every success in the next chapter of his football journey.