Uncle and nephew Sam and Jesse Lonergan link up in hope of success at Woodville-West Torrens

When Sam Lonergan was named Woodville-West Torrens coach in October and four days later his nephew Jesse was told his time at the Gold Coast Suns was up, it was like the planets had aligned.

It is a family affair at Woodville-West Torrens with coach Sam Lonergan and gun recruit Jesse Lonergan reuniting at the Eagles. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

• Jesse Lonergan signs at Eagles after Gold Coast departure
• Former Essendon onballer Sam Lonergan named coach of Woodville-West Torrens

When Sam Lonergan was named Woodville-West Torrens coach in October and four days later his nephew Jesse was told by the Gold Coast Suns his time was up, it was like the planets had aligned.

“As soon as Sammy told me he was in line for the job, it was the only place I was going to go if I was going to move,” says Jesse, who played 60 games for the Suns after he was taken at pick 13 in the 2012 AFL draft.

“I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to play under Sam and bring us back together pretty much.”

Uncle/nephew duo Sam and Jesse are crucial to the Eagles’ hopes this season. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

The uncle/nephew Lonergan duo, who are separated by eight years and both hail from Tasmania, are set to form a crucial partnership for the Eagles this season.

But the rare opportunity to link up together at Oval Ave is not just because of family ties.

Sam believes Woodville-West Torrens is the place to give 24-year-old Jesse the best possible opportunity to return to an AFL list.

The bullocking inside midfielder played in the Eagles season-opening win over North Adelaide but missed the following two games with a groin injury before returning last Friday against West Adelaide.

At 1-3 the season has not begun as planned for Sam, an 81-game player with Essendon and Richmond, who is priming Jesse to flourish in the Eagles’ engine room.

“He’s in a crucial 24-month window of opportunity,” Sam says.

“The last 12 months I’ve seen him been thrown around the ground, half-forward, half-back. But he’s a genuine inside midfielder, 183cm, 93kg – why would you have a guy like that on the wing?

“He’s similar to a Dustin Martin type in that strong, powerful, explosive type of way so it’s about maximising that and getting the best out of him to be damaging.”

Jesse Lonergan gets a handball away for Gold Coast in match against Adelaide last year. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Sam Lonergan bursts out of the middle during his Essendon days. Picture: Chris Scott

While the relationship of coach and nephew could be tricky, both Lonergans believe they have the balance right.

“I think Jesse and I have always had that ability to separate between football and family when we need to,” Sam says.

“It’s more been the playing group actually, asking Jesse what’s planned for training and things like that.

“He (Jesse) certainly knows we’re here to play footy.”

While Jesse admits there has been some teacher’s pet taunts from his teammates, he says he already feels at home at the Eagles.

“We (the players) are all so close together and to have a coach that you’re so close to already makes conversations during the week about your game, how you’re travelling, so much easier.

“So I’m pretty lucky in that way.”

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