Replacing Kory Beard is a challenge for Double Blues coach Marty Mattner

HOW does Sturt coach Marty Mattner go about revamping his attack in the absence of gun Kory Beard, so significant in the past two years when the Double Blues have reigned supreme?

Dual Sturt Premiership coach Martin Mattner is looking ahead without star Kory Beard. Picture Sarah Reed

STURT coach Marty Mattner does not flinch when asked how he will replace last year’s SANFL leading goal-kicker Kory Beard.

Typical of Mattner, he is honest when he responds: “You never can, it is too hard”. But he will try, it is another challenge he wants to own.

Beard, a key factor in the Double Blues claiming the past two premierships, has quit the competition to return to Eyre Peninsula and life on the farm.

“There is no one in the SANFL like him,” Mattner said. “It is about trying to get
a lift from four or five different players.

“Jake Sutcliffe will be better for the run last year, Tom Read will be better for the run, John Greenslade will be back from injury, Jack Dodd played a little bit of league footy, we need a lift from those guys.

“We know what we are going to get from Mark Evans, Josh Hone, those guys. There are opportunities for Jack Penfold as well, Henry Voigt.

“You can’t replace Kory, he is one of those guys you can’t, he is just too good.

“He was a defender we turned into a forward by need and he is unique.”

Kory Beard celebrates the back to back grand final win last year. He will be a notable absentee this year. Picture: Sarah Reed

Last season was glaring proof the Double Blues have matured significantly under Mattner in his two years at the club.

After starting with four losses, the Double Blues responded with eight successive wins and just one more loss for the minor round.

They were beaten by Port in the qualifying final, only to bounce back to charge to title glory.

The fight and resolve of the Double Blues in the grand final inspired the victory. The reserves and under-18s also won premierships. The club had six players drafted and it even won the mascot sprint on grand final day. 2017 was a Sturt domination.

Maintaining the hunger after climbing to the top of the state league mountain in the past two years is not an issue, according to Mattner.

He believes opportunity is the motivation to ensure the squad is hungry.

The loss of Beard, Scott McMahon and Patrick Wilson from the grand final team means there are three vacancies heading into round one.

“We have not gone out and recruited lots of players,” Mattner said.

“It is more about giving opportunities to the kids coming through, the under 18s, the reserves from last year.

“There were seven players in the reserves who played league throughout the year and we have looked at the development of those guys, the Dwayne Wilsons, Jake Veales.

“Four of the under-18s played in the reserves grand final. We are big on promoting the kids, we talk about developing.

“It is a lot easier to get Sturt juniors coming through the senior program, they know the game plan, the structures, how the club operates and they want
to be here.”

Rory Taggert, right, has returned to Unley. Picture Dean Martin

John Greenslade returns from injury. Picture Sarah Reed

LOOKING AHEAD

GUN RECRUIT

Former Melbourne listed player Rory Taggert returns to Unley Oval after two years

playing country football. The big bodied mid/forward spent time at North

Warnambool where he was player/coach and will hope he has a better run with

injuries this time around.

ONE TO WATCH

2016 premiership star John Greenslade returns to action after missing all of last season following a knee reconstruction. He has been burning up the track and will be a

handy inclusion for the Double Blues.

RISING STAR

Under 18 premiership player Ed Allan has been impressive in his first senior pre-season.

The strong inside mid won the 2km time trial in a blistering time of 6.06

and coach Marty Mattner expects big things from him this season.

BIG OFF-SEASON

2017 reserves premiership players Jake Veale and Sean Samblich are two

players the Double Blues hope can step up and play more regular league football.

Both have worked hard over the summer and reported to pre-season already in

great shape.

2017 SEASON RECALL

FINISHED

Premier

BEST & FAIREST

1. Zane Kirkwood

2. Sam Colquhoun

3. Guy Page

LEADING GOALKICKER

Kory Beard 62