Roo Awakening: Balranald Bolsters Roster with Triple-Threat South Australian Signing

In Short

• Elite Trio Joins the Roos: Balranald has secured South Australian standouts Ari Rigney (Central District), Mason Pitt (Ingle Farm), and Terrel Rigney (North Adelaide/Port Adelaide) for the 2026 season.

• CMFNL Expansion: The signings come as the Central Murray Football Netball League expands to a 16-team competition with a new Top 8 finals format.

• Proven Pedigree: The new recruits bring a combined resume of SANFL experience, Association Medals, and multiple Best & Fairest awards to Greenham Park.

The Greenham Park faithful have every reason to stand tall this pre-season. \As the Central Murray Football Netball League (CMFNL) prepares for a massive 2026 expansion to 16 teams, the Balranald Roos have sent a clear message to the competition: they have their sights set on a solid season

The club has officially secured a triple-coup of South Australian talent, headlined by the hard-nosed Ari Rigney, the prolific Mason Pitt, and the electric Terrel Rigney.

The trio arrives with a combined resume that reads like a coaching staff’s wish list, bringing SANFL experience and a cabinet full of individual accolades to the Roos.

The Enforcer: Ari Rigney

In a league known for its physicality, Ari Rigney is the ultimate "player’s player." With over 50 senior games at the Central District Football Club in the SANFL, Ari brings a professional edge to the Roos' engine room.

Renowned for his relentless pressure and "second efforts," Rigney is the type of midfielder who thrives when the ball is at its hottest.

His time with the Kapunda Bombers saw him dominate the Barossa Light and Gawler Football League, claiming the A Grade Best and Fairest and an Association Team of the Year nod.

For Balranald, he provides the defensive steel and contested-ball hunger required to break games wide open.

The Finisher: Mason Pitt

If Ari Rigney provides the grit, Mason Pitt provides the polish. A versatile mid-forward, Pitt makes the move to Balranald following a career-best season at Ingle Farm. He arrives as the reigning Division 6 Association Medalist and club Best and Fairest winner.

With five junior Best and Fairest awards at Para Hills and senior experience at Golden Grove, Pitt’s pedigree is undeniable.

He is expected to be a nightmare for opposition defenders, combining a high work rate with a clinical ability to hit the scoreboard.

The Speedster: Terrel Rigney

Rounding out the major announcements is the "silky" Terrel Rigney. A genuine line-breaker, Terrel brings elite pace and a "sneaky" goal-kicking knack that will give the Roos an extra dimension on the transition.

Terrel’s journey has seen him touch nearly every high-level program in the region, from North Adelaide and the Port Adelaide SANFL program to a stint in the Northern Territory Football Leauge with Southern Districts.

His ability to burn opponents off the mark and find space in a crowded forward line makes him one of the most exciting recruits in the CMFNL this year.

The timing of these signings couldn't be better. With the CMFNL adopting a Top 8 Finals series for 2026 and 2027, the stakes have never been higher.

The Roos are clearly positioning themselves to be a powerhouse in this revamped 16-team landscape.

By raiding the South Australian ranks, Balranald has added a blend of SANFL experience and local league dominance.