My Two Cents: SANFL quiet achiever Toby Pink on AFL radar

Cast adrift from the AFL four years ago, a Glenelg premiership defender is back on the radar of AFL clubs after a standout year in the SANFL, writes Andrew Capel.

He is the SANFL’s silent assassin.

And after adding a premiership medal to his impressive 2023 CV, Glenelg quiet achiever Toby Pink might just have landed himself a second AFL contract.

First-year Tigers premiership coach Darren Reeves has long hailed his full back as the best key defender in the SANFL and it appears AFL clubs have taken notice.

Cast adrift by Sydney four years ago, 25-year-old Pink is back on the radar of AFL clubs, with several showing keen interest in the powerful, 194cm redhead.

Adelaide, which needs key defensive reinforcements given that Nick Murray and Tom Doedee, who could depart via free agency, will be sidelined for a chunk of next season following knee reconstructions, is understood to be one of the clubs tracking him.

After keeping Sturt danger man Connor McFadyen – the Double Blues’ chief attacking threat in the finals – goalless in Sunday’s grand final at Adelaide Oval, Pink’s star continues to rise.

“I think he is the best key defender in the competition and I've felt that from day one, since I walked into the footy club this year,’’ Reeves said.

“He has just been outstanding and has had an incredible year. There is some interest in him, which is great for him.

“I think he is ready-made to play AFL footy right now. Every single week he has got the job done for us.

Glenelg’s Toby Pink in celebration mode with the Thomas Seymour Hill premiership trophy after the Tigers beat Sturt in Sunday’s SANFL grand final at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Matt Loxton

“Toby’s a quiet, unassuming lad but he’s a competitive beast who has had an outstanding season.

“He plays on the best (opposition) forward week in, week out, and his ability to be able to win those battles and also win the ball and be really efficient with it has been terrific.’’

Best remembered for kicking the most famous behind in SANFL under-18s history when his after-the-siren, 60m long bomb won Glenelg the 2016 under-age grand final against North Adelaide, Pink spent three years on the Swans list after being selected in that year’s rookie draft.

But he did not play an AFL game and was delisted at the end of 2019.

After a Covid-wreaked year in 2020, Pink returned to the Tigers in 2021, where he was used primarily as a forward and pinch-hitting ruckman under then coach Brett Hand.

This season, seven years after his matchwinning goal miraculously bounced past 11 Roosters players in the southern goalsquare at Adelaide Oval to secure Glenelg an amazing one-point grand final triumph, Pink, whose goal went viral, has made his mark at league level.

He played all 20 games, including both finals, for the Tigers this year, was named as full back in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year and rarely had his colours lowered in one-on-one contests while averaging 11 disposals and five marks.

“It would be a dream to get back onto an AFL list but I just have to take things as they come because there are no guarantees,’’ Pink said as the Tigers celebrated their sixth flag after beating Sturt by 24 points in the grand final.

“I've had some nibbles but now that the season is over there might be a bit more interest. It’s a bit of a waiting game for me.’’

Toby Pink takes a strong mark for Glenelg against Adelaide at the Bay in Round 8. Picture: Cory Sutton

Pink attributed his stunning improvement this season to being given a defined role after “being thrown around a fair bit in the past couple of years’’ under Hand.

“I’ve enjoyed being able to settle down back this season,’’ he said.

“For a couple of years there I was being used as a swingman up forward, in the ruck and down back, and I’ve loved being given that permanent challenge of taking the opposition key forward out of the game and helping my teammates get the win.

“Reeva (Reeves) tells me every Monday who I’m going to get the following week, so it allows me to prepare well and do my homework on them.

“I really enjoy that challenge and have the competitive mindset to beat my player because I hate losing.’’

Pink is a no-frills type player who is happy to do his job each week without any fanfare.

“I like floating under the radar,’’ he said.

“That’s me, I still get the job done. I’m probably not the loudest (player) out there but this is who I am and how I roll.’’

Born in Millicent, part of Glenelg’s south-east recruiting zone, Pink said he is a more mature player now than the one who left Adelaide for Sydney seven years ago.

“I’m a better player now and the goal is to get back into the system and play footy for a living, whether that comes soon or takes another year or two,’’ he said.

“I just take things as they go but hopefully things do go my way.’’

NUMBERS GAME

6

Goals kicked by Jack Oatey Medallist Lachie Hosie for Glenelg in the SANFL grand final.

27

Brownlow Medal votes to Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters – four behind winner Lachie Neale.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“I did not expect this, and to be amongst some of those names that have won two is unbelievable.’’

Brisbane Lions and former Glenelg midfielder Lachie Neale after winning his second Brownlow Medal.

“The thing that tells me the significance of it all is that I haven’t seen my dad cry in my whole life and he was in tears after the game.’’

Glenelg coach Darren Reeves after leading the Tigers to a flag in his first year in charge.