Glenelg coach Mark Stone plans for potential losses in mid-season draft

Glenelg is bracing to lose two key players in the AFL’s mid-season draft. But while branding the draft unfair, Tigers coach Mark Stone has been busy hunting for replacements.

Glenelg coach Mark Stone has been searching for options should the Tigers lose players in the mid-season draft. Picture: Matt Loxton

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GLENELG coach Mark Stone has been busy surveying his options should the club lose players to the AFL system in the looming mid-season draft.

The Tigers are bracing for the loss of two players with speculation athletic forward Lachlan Hosie has spoken with multiple clubs, while there is also strong interest in Cory Gregson.

Speaking after the Tigers snapped a 10-game losing drought at Elizabeth Oval with an impressive victory over Central District to climb to top of the ladder on Saturday, Stone said the club had been working hard for the past few weeks searching for replacements should they lose players in the draft.

Lachlan Hosie celebrates a goal for Glenelg. Could he be AFL bound? Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

And while Stone described the mid-season draft on May 27 as being unfair on state leagues, he said the club had to deal with the cards put in front of it.

“The draft is heavily loaded towards the AFL and unfair on the state league clubs, but if someone goes we wish them all the best,” Stone said.

“I will be the first one on the phone to the player to say well done, I look forward to watching you play. But we have to get to work and develop someone else.”

Given the Tigers have a couple of players linked to AFL clubs, Stone said his mind had been on the draft for at least three weeks and discussing potential replacements with football manager Paul Sandercock.

They will comb their own ranks to find players they can develop, but Stone has not ruled out looking at other clubs and leagues.

“We have enough players to potentially cover any losses,” he said. “It will not be great because they would be two of our better players.”

The Tigers grabbed top spot on the ladder after Woodville-West Torrens upset Norwood at Woodville Oval. The loss dropped the Redlegs to fourth and allowed Adelaide to take second spot and South Adelaide third.

“We are leading the field down the back straight with 1200m to go in the Melbourne Cup, there is a long way to go,” Stone said. “We wanted to cement our spot in the top five of course because it is tight.

“Over the past 12 months we have improved out talent, but it is not about the talent, it is about the effort. We feel as long as we bring that effort we walk away pleased regardless of the scoreboard.

“That effort has been bringing some good results.”

Originally published as Glenelg coach Mark Stone plans for potential losses in mid-season draft