New Woodville-West Torrens coach Sam Lonergan wants side to play different styles at any time in chase for ultimate success
Sam Lonergan admired Woodville-West Torrens when he spent two seasons playing and as a midfield coach at Glenelg in 2014-15. Now he is looking forward to the chance to make his imprint at the Eagles as senior coach.
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Sam Lonergan admired Woodville-West Torrens when he spent two seasons playing and as a midfield coach at Glenelg in 2014-15.
“Playing against them ... there was always a level of understanding that the Eagles’ systems, processes and the way they’re set up is really strong,” Lonergan said.
“That’s as an outsider looking in and how other players and as a team when I was playing against them we spoke about their organisation.”
Now, Lonergan has the chance to make his own mark at the Eagles as coach.
The 81-game former Essendon and Richmond midfielder and Launceston coach was appointed in October to replace Michael Godden, who became a Crows assistant.
Godden led the Eagles to the finals in each of his nine seasons at the helm and won the 2011 flag but also sustained major-round disappointment, including losing two premiership deciders and three preliminary finals, notably last year’s controversial “19th man” match.
Lonergan believed getting his team to “be capable of playing any brand, any style of football at any point in time” was crucial to finals success.
“We’ve probably been a side that’s played one traditional way for a long period of time and that can get you so far,” he said.
“But in today’s game ... you have to be able to adapt and players have to be adaptable to particular situations and scenarios on game day.
“I think the beauty of a new coach is they bring new ideas and new thought processes.
“My job is to turn over every single rock under every single field in football ... to get to the ultimate goal of winning a SANFL premiership.”
Lonergan, who turns 32 on March 26, is proud of being the youngest coach in the competition and likes the fact he is just the Eagles’ third mentor since 2001, following 2006 flag winner Ron Fuller and Godden.
“You know you’re stepping into an organisation that’s going to be willing to go for the long haul,” Lonergan said.
“It gives you confidence in the organisation’s stability so you can go out there and do your job.
“I’m grateful to have the opportunity at 31 and understand and respect the Eagles family and members and all the people who care about the football club, so I don’t underestimate what my role is.
“But it’s critical to have balance in my coaching team and I’ve got (Central District premiership defender) Brian Haraida and Bobby Cross, who’s been coaching football for probably 40-odd years in South Australia.”
The Eagles have lost Paul Stewart and Marc Borholm to retirement and Jack Lukosius to Gold Coast, while bringing back Jimmy Toumpas from Port Adelaide and adding Lonergan’s nephew Jesse from the Suns and Jordan Foote after six matches in three seasons at Sydney.
“Jimmy’s a very talented player, has an elite work ethic and his decision-making and skill by foot is elite, so he’ll bring a lot of drive and rebound from the defensive half,” Lonergan said.
“Jordan Foote, to date in my playing and coaching career, is probably the most elite physical player I’ve come across, so he’ll cause headaches for opposition with his endurance capabilities. And Jesse is a power inside midfielder.”
GUN RECRUIT
Jimmy Toumpas fell short of expectations after being drafted with pick No. 4 by Melbourne from Woodville-West Torrens in 2012, delisted in August by Port Adelaide after 37 games. But Toumpas gives the Eagles a hard-working midfielder/half-back flanker with great endurance and team-first attitude.
ONE TO WATCH
Kysiah Pickett is an exciting prospect and member of the state under-18 squad. The Prince Alfred College student is the nephew of Port Adelaide AFL premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist Byron Pickett and has plenty of pace and can take spectacular marks.
RISING STAR
Ryan Bruce is still raw after coming up from the club’s under-18s, with which he was best team man last year. But the key defender has shown plenty of promise in pre-season after returning from a knee clean-out in November and is likely to get an early taste of league footy.
BIG OFF-SEASON
Coach Sam Lonergan has been very impressed by ex-Sydney Swan Jordan Foote’s professionalism and pre-season training standards. Foote, pictured, is elite for SANFL level in his running capacity and dedication to football, according to Lonergan.
2018 SEASON RECALL
Third
Best & fairest: 1 James Boyd, 2 Jack Hayes, 3 Scott Lewis
Leading goalkicker: Jack Hayes 39
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