Unley Mercedes Jets fly through to Adelaide Footy League division two grand final
The Jets have already gained promotion into the Adelaide Footy League’s top tier next season but a premiership is still high on their wish list.
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Unley Mercedes had two main goals heading into this division two Adelaide Footy League season – gain promotion to the top tier and win a premiership.
The Jets have ticked one of those boxes as they will feature in division one next season.
But the job is not done yet and they are hoping to claim the club’s first A grade flag since 2012.
Unley gained direct entry into the grand final after a thrilling one-point win over Athelstone in the second semi-final a fortnight ago.
Coach Kane Stewart said ensuring the Jets returned to the top tier after a one-year stint in 2016 was a top priority.
But Stewart, 40, said winning a flag was now just as important after the club had suffered back-to-back grand final defeats – in division three (2014) and then division two (2015).
“The boys have worked pretty hard in the off-season and it’s been a club goal this year that we would go up,” Stewart said.
“From a club perspective we are thrilled but from a playing group and coaching staff perspective we still have a job to do and hopefully win some silverware.
“It was a lot of relief and reward for the hard work with the club now going into div one next year.
“But the job is not done yet.”
When Stewart became the club’s A grade coach at the start of last season his good mate and ex-Adelaide Crows defender Michael Doughty took on the football director role.
The pair played together as juniors at Reynella and then enjoyed a bit of senior footy at South Adelaide.
Stewart says Doughty, who is a player agent working for Elite Sports Properties, has been a driving force behind the Jets’ success.
“Michael has been a personal friend of mine for almost 30 years and it’s obviously great to have someone of his experience to work alongside,” Stewart said.
“He’s a great mentor, a great footy person but he’s also a really good friend as well.
“He’s been involved in professional sporting organisations so he’s helped make us as professional as we can be.
“He’s managed to realign bits and pieces off the field which has enabled us to perform better on the field.”
Unley takes on Athelstone in the grand final at Thebarton Oval this Saturday at 2.30pm.
All three of the Jets’ senior sides have made deciders and the club will look to replicate 2012, when it took home A, B and C grade flags.