NewsBite

Five reasons for fans to be excited about the Bloods in the SANFL in 2019

As 2018 comes to an end, The Advertiser’s SANFL writers look ahead to next season to find reasons for fans to get excited. This time we turn the spotlight on West Adelaide.

SANFL 2019 fixture analysis

West Adelaide struggled for consistency in 2018, finishing seventh in the SANFL with an 8-10 win/loss record.

But there are reasons for fans to look forward to improvement and greater consistency from the Bloods next season.

1 PREMIERSHIP CAPTAIN RETURNS

Chris Schmidt is back at West Adelaide — one year after retiring and three since leading the Bloods to their first premiership since 1983.

Schmidt spent the 2018 season as player/co-coach of North Albury in the Ovens and Murray league.

But in October he announced he would be returning to Richmond Oval for the 2019 campaign after securing work back in Adelaide.

Schmidt has played 132 games for the Bloods and claimed the Jack Oatey Medal in the 2015 grand final triumph.

He is a quality addition to Gavin Colville’s side, adding experience and leadership, and can fill roles across half-back or through the midfield.

2 SNELLING IS ALSO BACK

It is not often a SANFL club recruits a rival’s reigning best-and-fairest winner.

But West Adelaide has done exactly that by bringing on-baller Will Snelling back to the club after three seasons at Port Adelaide.

Will Snelling returns to West Adelaide for 2019. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens
Will Snelling returns to West Adelaide for 2019. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

Snelling, who was delisted in October after playing just one AFL game for the Power, was a SANFL star for the Magpies in 2018, winning their club champion award.

He knows the Bloods well, having won a premiership there in 2015 and come through their junior ranks.

3 LOTS OF NIGHT FOOTY

Bloods fans will get the chance to see their team play some key matches under lights in 2019.

They open the campaign at home against Port Adelaide on Friday, March 29 and play another three night games — all by mid-May.

In round four, West hosts Woodville-West Torrens on Friday, April 19 then the following week the Bloods face Glenelg at Richmond on Anzac Day eve, Wednesday, April 24.

West Adelaide’s final night clash of the season is at home against Sturt on Friday, May 17.

The results of those four games could have a big say in determining where the Bloods finish.

4 ENCOURAGING SIGNS UNDER COLVILLE

West Adelaide began life under first-year coach Gavin Colville with back-to-back losses, including a 138-point defeat to eventual premier North Adelaide, and ultimately finished three wins outside of the top five in seventh spot.

But the Bloods also had some encouraging moments, beating finalist South Adelaide twice, prevailing in four of their last seven games of the campaign and pushing runner-up Norwood all the way at home before losing by one point.

Expect further improvement and more consistency during Colville’s second season in charge.

5 OTHER HANDY RECRUITS

Schmidt and Snelling are not the Bloods’ only off-season recruits of note.

They have also signed Norwood defender Patrick Levicki, brought Dallas Willsmore (Hawthorn), Jade Cleeland (Werribee) and Tom Morrish (Ouyen United) over from Victoria, and added Kaine Stevens’ brother, Reed, from the NEAFL’s Canberra Demons.

Dallas Willsmore of the Box Hill Hawks. Picture: Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images
Dallas Willsmore of the Box Hill Hawks. Picture: Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images

In all, West’s recruiting has so far been arguably the best of any club in the league.

Levicki strengthens West’s key defensive stocks, Willsmore is a rangy on-baller who has played two AFL games, while tall forward/ruckman Cleeland looms as a replacement for Daniel Webb.

Morrish is a goalsneak and Reed Stevens is a strong-tackling midfielder/forward.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/local-footy-sa/sanfl/five-reasons-for-fans-to-be-excited-about-the-bloods-in-the-sanfl-in-2019/news-story/175abd92aecc1e9be29552bfe4bae150