Eagle Joe Sinor’s switch to defence rewarded with The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year gong
Woodville-West Torrens’ Joe Sinor, switched from the midfield to defence this season, has been named in the SANFL Team of the Year while Sturt’s Marty Mattner is the coach for a second successive year.
THE emergence of Joe Sinor as an elite SANFL performer has been reflected in his selection in the The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.
After almost quitting Woodville-West Torrens last year frustrated at lack of league opportunities, Sinor cemented his spot in the Eagles line-up this season and played all 20 games.
And such was the manner in which he reinvented his game after being moved from the midfield to defence, he has been named in a back pocket in the prestigious Team of the Year.
His class was evident in the preliminary final loss to Sturt on Sunday when he was clearly the Eagles’ best player.
There are five Eagles named in the team after claiming the minor premiership, including defender Luke Thompson, who has also been honoured with the captaincy.
South Adelaide’s dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross is the vice-captain.
Marty Mattner has been named coach of the side for the second successive year after taking the Double Blues to the grand final.
The Double Blues started the season with four losses and Mattner, in his second season in charge, has enhanced his credentials with their charge at back-to-back flags.
The work of Mattner has also had a significant role in the Double Blues’ reserves earning a grand final berth and the under 18s winning the grand final.
There are five players from the Double Blues in the team — James Battersby, Pat Wilson, Kory Beard, Fraser Evans and Jack Stephens.
Grand finalist Port Adelaide is represented by Ken Farmer Medallist Brett Eddy and Brendon Ah Chee, while Harrison Wigg is the only Adelaide player named in the 21.
Central District’s Nick Holman was named at centre after an extremely consistent season.
The team was selected by the SANFL’s Adam Kelly, Tom Hurley and Zac Milbank, Channel 7’s Mark Soderstrom and Warren Partland.