Not set in Stone: Glenelg premiership coach Mark Stone open to return to AFL coaching ranks
He led Glenelg to its first premiership in 33 years but Mark Stone is no certainty to stay at Tigerland next year.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Tiger time: Glenelg snaps 33-year premiership drought
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Glenelg coach Mark Stone has revealed he has aspirations to get back into the AFL system but will let the dust settle on the Tigers' drought-breaking premiership before making a decision on his future.
Stone, who on Sunday remarkably led the Bays to their first flag in 33 seasons just three years after they were fighting for their financial survival, is contracted for next year but has an “out’’ clause if an AFL opportunity arises.
Prior to joining Glenelg at the end of 2017, Stone had been an assistant coach at West Coast (under John Worsfold), Sydney (Paul Roos and John Longmire) and Fremantle (Ross Lyon).
He is close mates with former Eagles star forward Peter Sumich, who is a contender for the vacant Dockers senior coaching role following the shock axing of Lyon.
Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“I am contracted to Glenelg but who knows, my main priority is to support my family,’’ Stone said after the 28-point win against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
“At the moment I’m just thrilled to be a part of this wonderful football club that has given me an opportunity to coach, the first job I’ve had in my own right for a long, long time.
“I’ll just talk to them and we’ll work through things during the week and the coming months, whatever it is.
“I do (have AFL aspirations) because it's the best competition in Australia and you always strive to the best.
“So I’ve certainly got aspirations to be in the best competition there is but it would have to be the right role for me.
“AFL clubs have up to 22, 23 people in their (coaching) box. I’m not sure that, a minor role, that I want to go back to that.
“I enjoy this environment, I enjoy club life, I enjoy this footy club, so we’ll just wait to see what happens.’’
Stone, whose star is rising, will be considered by both Adelaide and Fremantle for their vacant head coaching jobs.
But he might have to serve an apprenticeship as a senior coach’s right-hand man to further boost his coaching credentials.
Hawks assistant Scott Burns is favourite for the Crows job following Don Pyke’s resignation while Sumich and Collingwood assistant Justin Longmuir are equal favourites for the Dockers job.
MORE STORIES
— Gordon Armstrong column: Finally it’s Tiger time after 33 long years
— ‘We were on a mission to create our own history’
— ‘Something special’: Snook sparks Tigers to land special
Stone, renowned as a hard task master who sets professional standards on and off the field, on Sunday became just Glenelg’s fourth premiership mentor, following Bruce McGregor (1934), Neil Kerley (1973) and Graham Cornes (1985-86).
“It means an enormous amount to the football club and it’s really special to me because I’m the fortunate one who got to break the drought and bring the cup back to where it belongs,’’ he said.
“It’s a bit surreal because I knew we'd improve this year, that we could make the finals, but how far you can go, you just don’t know.
“But now it’s going to be an amazing time over the next week for everyone involved with the club, those people with black and yellow in their blood.’’