Adam Hartlett takes assistant coach role with Glenelg and signs with amateur club Edwardstown
West Adelaide premiership player Adam Hartlett is looking forward to a busy year as he gets set to juggle being an assistant coach at Glenelg with lining up in the Adelaide Footy League.
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His five-year-old daughter might be a tad confused which football team to support but Adam Hartlett knows exactly where his allegiances now lie.
The former West Adelaide defender signed with Glenelg as an assistant coach in November, then this month agreed to line up with amateur football club Edwardstown.
“Indi, my eldest, was born the year we won a flag at West Adelaide (2015) so for a few years there it was all about Westies,” Hartlett, 33, says.
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“Then we moved to Mildura and it took her a little while to start supporting Imperials.
“Now we are back in Adelaide and she’s like ‘why aren’t we going for Westies, now?’
“We are obviously supporting Glenelg and now that I signed at Edwardstown, she’s a bit thrown.
“Then with (my brother) Hamish being at Port she doesn’t know what’s going on.
“There is a bit of banter that’s going on between us (me and Hamish) already.
“I’ve already hung a bit of stick on him about making sure he’s getting a kick at Port otherwise we will be the (SANFL) opposition, potentially.”
Hartlett spent the past three years coaching Mildura club Imperials in the Sunraysia Football League after hanging up his boots with the Bloods.
He led the Imperials to the 2019 grand final before deciding to boost his coaching credentials and sign with the SANFL reigning premiers.
Hartlett, who lined up in 11 AFL games for Carlton, had a deep connection with Glenelg and Edwardstown, having played for both as a junior before switching to West Adelaide in 2002.
He links back up with fellow Towns junior Danyle Pearce after the ex-Power, Fremantle and Sturt speedster signed with Edwardstown following his SANFL retirement.
Hartlett knows committing to playing and coaching, while juggling off-field life as a father-of-two will make for a busy year.
But he is confident he will be able to cope with the help of his wife Sarah as he aims to play at least “four or five” games with the division four Adelaide Footy League club.
“I’m stoked to return to Glenelg to work under Mark Stone and some other quality assistants, it’s been fantastic so far,” Hartlett says.
“I’ve always wanted to get back (to Edwardstown) as well and just play a few games.
“Danyle Pearce, who I won premierships there with as a junior, is back there as well, which is great.
“My commitment to Glenelg is massive, but my wife has been very supportive, she understands it’s football and I’m very passionate.”