Ovens and Murray junior Ryan Garthwaite signs with South Adelaide

Garthwaite was delisted by the three-time premiers in October and has just signed with South Adelaide as he looks to resurrect his AFL career.

The 23-year-old played 14 games.

"You come in and your first three or four years, you are trying to do everything you can, how can I get that one per cent (advantage) on this bloke? How can I get into the team?," he posed.

"Into the fifth year, I was almost trying to do too much and then trying to get my off-field sorted, which then helps on-field.

"I think that's probably one of the biggest things I've learnt, having that balance because sometimes more is not always better, it's knowing the time to work hard and knowing when it's time to turn off and do something else off-field."

Garthwaite's honesty is a fascinating insight into the mental energy he used as a fringe player.

However, he's also adamant he did everything he could.

"Definitely, I left no stone unturned and while there's always a few things I might change along the way, I was fortunate enough to win a VFL grand final and be an emergency for an AFL one (2019), but the goal is to play an AFL grand final and I did get the best out of myself," he suggested.

Prior to joining the Panthers, Garthwaite had spoken about moving forward after playing in defence.

"I know I can play forward, I did as a junior, so I know what I can do there," he offered.

"I think I've been pigeon-holed, stereotyped as a lockdown defender in the AFL, but I just want to prove to recruiters that I'm not just a lockdown defender, I'm an even better centre half-back, I think, and I want to get back to what I did as a youngster.

"South Adelaide gives me the best opportunity to show what I can do up forward.

"The coaches and players are all really good blokes and hopefully we can get a shot at the big games."

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Garthwaite will first spend Christmas in Corowa.

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