Glenelg players praise coach Mark Stone after he guided the club to its first SANFL premiership in 33 years
Glenelg players have described premiership coach Mark Stone as a “numbers guy” who sets incredibly high standards but has built a tight bond with his players which led to Sunday’s grand final triumph.
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Glenelg players have lashed praise on premiership coach Mark Stone, describing him as a relationships coach and “numbers guy” who teaches the game by driving incredibly high standards on and off the field.
After delivering the Tigers their first premiership in 33 years on the weekend, Stone is contracted to the club for next season but hasn’t ruled out a move back into the AFL system where he has worked at West Coast, Fremantle and Sydney.
His players on Tuesday said Stone deserved to be looked at for a senior coaching or senior assistant vacancy in the AFL with Fremantle and Adelaide on the hunt for their next leader.
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Aaron Joseph, who played 73 AFL games with Carlton from 2009 to 2013, described Stone as the best coach he’d ever had.
“He’s massive. The main thing he’s done for me personally is instilled a really great culture at our footy club. He’s always got some words that we can go back to and live by, he bangs on them all week and never goes off his path,” Joseph said as the club unveiled the Tigers stripes on the West End Brewery chimney.
“He is real direct and disciplined, but at the same time he’s formed a really good bond with all of us players. We just love playing for him.
“He’s got a great balance. He’s a numbers guy, he’s all about stats so he has that side of it, and he forms a great bond with all of us. At the same time if we go off that path he will pull us back in with some discipline.
“I’ve been at the AFL level for a couple of years and he’s the best coach I’ve ever had, easy. He’s number one for me.”
Marlon Motlop, who also has AFL experience with Port Adelaide, described Stone as “outstanding”.
“He’s brought a really high standard of football program to Glenelg, he demands high standards and we demand that of each other,” Motlop said.
“Most of us have had some experience at a high level (AFL) and when you come back you want to imitate that at your footy club.
“He’s been amazing for me, he enables me to lead. He’s developed my ability to understand the game, and then direct and teach the game out on the ground.
“Even at my age (29), you’re always learning and if coaching is a pathway that I want to get into then Stoney has been a perfect mentor for me.”
“We’ll just be happy for whatever he decides to do and wherever he goes, he’s left a legacy at the Glenelg Footy Club already and the club will be in good stead whenever he leaves.”
Jack Oatey Medallist Matthew Snook said Stone had been in his corner from day one when he arrived at Brighton Road.
“He believed in me and backed me in to do what I do. He saw what I can do and if I can get it (footy) to the boys on the outside it would all work well,” Snook said.
“He’s so professional, what he’s done for the club and the amount of work he puts in during the week, he’s always there when we need him.
“The new game plan obviously took a while to learn and it was a rough start, but the last six games last year showed what we are capable of doing and we kept it going through this year.
“He’s a great coach, if he stays or not — I hope he stays — but he deserves whatever comes his way.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au