Can Jesse White be the white knight Glenelg needs to end its premiership drought?

THE 2018 SANFL season promises to be another intriguing race for the flag, with Glenelg leading the way as it embarks on a new era. All the players, big signings, emerging stars and thoughts of the coaches are revealed in The Advertiser’s liftout on Monday.

Sturt players celebrate going back to back as premiers in September. Picture: Sarah Reed

• Koch’s SANFL promise to Port fans
• Winemaker tips in $500,000 donation
• SA great Fred Bills dies
• Krakouer’s princely new chapter

JUST what impact will Jesse White have on Glenelg’s bid to claim that elusive SANFL flag?

He joins the Tigers as the biggest signing by an SANFL club for the season, having played 127 AFL games for Sydney and Collingwood, and he surely will make his mark on the state league competition.

No doubt the optimism of long-suffering Tigers fans will have risen since he was lured to the Bay. The Tigers have had two trial game wins after teasing fans last year when the Tigers were headed to the finals, only to drop out of the race for the premiership with a whimper.

The Tigers have a new coach with Mark Stone in charge. A former assistant with Sydney, West Coast and Fremantle, he offers his thoughts on the season in The Advertiser liftout in Monday’s paper.

It’s a must for SANFL fans — all the players for each team, the thoughts of the coaches and just who could be a shining light this season.

Can coach Josh Carr turn North Adelaide around to become a force? North Adelaide is coming off a disappointing season which ended with just four wins and a wooden spoon. Can coach Josh Carr turn the club around to become a force?

Much will hinge on the recruits. Aidan Tropiano has joined the club from Perth in the WAFL and the Roosters will be hoping he produces the terrific form which enabled him to secure the 2015 Sandover Medal.

Jarred Allmond tackles Glenelg's Lachlan Earl while playing for the Eagles last year. He is a big pick up for the Roosters in 2018. Picture: Dean Martin

The surprise of the off-season was Jarred Allmond’s decision to quit Woodville-West Torrens to front for the Roosters. He is an outstanding addition to the squad, along with former Port Adelaide small forward Robbie Young.

The biggest question of all, which club can stop Sturt claiming a hat-trick of premierships? The Double Blues go into the first round as favourite, but what impact will the loss of Kory Beard have?

Double Blues coach Marty Mattner believes he has the answers to his restructured attack. Read his thoughts in the liftout in Monday’s paper.

SANFL trial games

Friday March 23

Port Adelaide v Adelaide (Alberton Oval) 4.30pm

West Adelaide v Sturt (Richmond Oval) 7.20pm

Central v Norwood (Elizabeth Oval) 7.20pm

Friday March 9

Eagles 15.9 (99) d Port 7.10 (52) at Woodville Oval

Saturday March 10

Adelaide 10.9 (69) d West Adelaide 5.7 (37) at Richmond Oval

Glenelg 9.8 (62) d Central 3.11 (29) at Elizabeth Oval

North Adelaide 13.3 (81) d South Adelaide 10.10 (70) at Noarlunga

Friday March 16

West 13.10 (88) d Norwood 8.8 (56) at Richmond Oval

Saturday March 17

Glenelg 10.7 (67) d North Adelaide 9.12 (66) at Richmond Oval

Central 11.8 (74) d Sturt 5.12 (42) at Elizabeth Oval

Eagles 9.18 (72) d South 10.9 (69) at Noarlunga