Tea Tree Gully set for success after recruitments of Alex McKay, Ryan Spittle, Jack Bollmeyer

A division one Adelaide Footy League club has its eyes on the top prize after active recruitment in the preseason, according to its Bachelorette star coach.

A division one Adelaide Footy League club is poised for major success heading into 2022 after key re-signings and recruitments.

The return of former premiership captain and new playing-coach Alex McKay – an ex-Bachelorette star – to Tea Tree Gully has the club thinking big after finishing fifth in 2021.

New president David Crisanti said the entire club was in “a really exciting phase” with season 2022 fast-approaching.

“It’s mainly due to the changes in the on and off-field activities and approach. The club has an inclusion team now, a masters team and we’ve added a second senior women’s team and with Alex coming back and some other recruits as well, we’re thrilled,” Crisanti said.

New Tea Tree Gully president David Crisanti is optimistic for season 2022. Picture: Tea Tree Gully FC

“We’re a really big junior club now with about 34 junior teams too.

“There’s a real feeling of confidence in the air. We’re very, very pleased with what we’ve been able to put together not just with the senior team but across the board.”

Among the Gullies’ new and returning signings are Ryan Spittle, Sam Ciappina, Nathan Cox and former McCallum Tomkins medallist Jack Bollmeyer.

McKay said he was hoping to lead the signings and the rest of the team to finals footy this season.

Ryan Spittle lays a tackle against St Peter’s. The return of the former premiership player is set to be a major boost in 2022. Picture: Matt Loxton

“Ryan (Spittle) and Nathan (Cox) are past premiership players and Ryan is probably the best small forward in the comp,” McKay said.

“Players like Jack Bollmeyer and Sam Ciappina provide some really good experience too so I’m looking forward to getting around them and the rest of the lads and achieving some success.”

McKay’s main priority will be to maintain the strong culture at the club but he also said he would be getting the players out of their comfort zone in the process.

“I’m going to be introducing some new things and getting them out of their comfort zone in the preseason. I want to keep them on their toes,” McKay said.

New coach Alex McKay celebrates with Tea Tree Gully players after their 2018 division one grand final win. He’s hoping to bring Gullies a repeat of that success this year. Picture: Brenton Edwards)

“I’m eager to get among the team and maintain and build on the very strong culture the club already has, which is something I’ve missed since my time away from the club.”

After missing out on finals last season, the club is focused on being in the premiership discussion come finals.

Crisanti believed McKay was just the right man to lead them to that goal.

“Having known Alex for over a decade now, I can see a mature and talented guy who will now have a strong group of players and coaches around him,” Crisanti said.

“He’s going to bring a new approach and we’re very optimistic about the year ahead because of what we’ve got in place.”