Expectation is high for Glenelg Tigers in this year’s SANFL premiership race

Glenelg has not played in the SANFL finals since 2011, but there is growing expectation at the club following a stunning finish to last season and the signing of gun recruits.

• The young guns and SA draft hopefuls to watch
• Snake invasion causes headcount chaos in trial
• Every club’s ins and outs graded

• Season previews: South | Sturt | Eagles | Norwood | North

When a club finishes a season with six successive wins and then highly-productive recruiting lures some big names, expectation for the following year justifiably rises significantly.

Glenelg coach Mark Stone, embarking on his second season with the Tigers, makes no attempt to sweep those hopes and ambitions aside. In fact, he is adamant there should be expectation and the club will embrace it.

Glenelg coach Mark Stone says Glenelg has to become a team that deals with the pressure. Picture: AAP Image/MATT LOXTON

He claims the club can’t stray away from the pressure of wanting to be a winning team.

“There are teams out there who deal with that every year,” Stone said. “Sturt has dealt with it in the past two or three years, Norwood deals with it every year, the Eagles deal with it, North Adelaide deals with it.

“We need to become one of those teams who deal with that pressure, be able to stand up to it, embrace it and say ‘we like that’ because it brings the best out of us. We certainly can’t stray away from our fans and members expecting results.”

Among the Tigers’ victims in their late-season charge were the Double Blues, Roosters and South Adelaide, all finalists. They also picked up a rare win at Alberton Oval.

Stone cites a few reasons for the purple patch of form with the biggest influence being the players becoming more aware of the high standards required on the training track.

Glenelg captain Chris Curran ready to pounce on a loose ball. Picture: AAP Image/Brenton Edwards)

A former assistant with Fremantle and Sydney, Stone said actions on game day were a reflection of training habits.

“The playing group started believing in the way we want to play and what makes us be our best,” he said. “They started to understand you need high training standards.

“Then combine that with our philosophy that things don’t magically appear game day, what we see game day is a product of habits on the training track.

“Once we started to raise training habits and maintain a strict level of acceptance there, that started to flow into footy and we started to see results. There were a couple of games which could have gone either way, of course, but you have to be in it to win it and we were in it.

“That was good from a validation point of view of what we were trying to do in terms of our game plan. And also great reward for effort for the guys working hard on the training track but at times they were letting themselves down with lapses in standards. Once we addressed those things, we played consistent footy.”

Stone believes the Tigers will be better set up to attack this season. After a season of experience in the state league competition, the Bays boss has a far greater understanding of the requirements of the competition, the opposition, the grounds and his own personnel.

Not since 2011 have the Tigers had a league game beyond the final minor round. Surely the drought is about to be snapped for their long-suffering fans.

Luke Partington in action for the West Coast Eagles. Picture: AAP Image/Tony McDonough

GUN RECRUIT

After knocking back offers from Norwood, Sturt and South Adelaide, Luke Partington will be a valuable asset for the Tigers. The midfielder returns to South Australia after three years and six AFL appearances with West Coast. Impressive in the WAFL last year.

ONE TO WATCH

Brad Close, pictured, who can be used in the midfield or half-forward, had a taste of league action last season and was the SANFL breakthrough player for Round 8. The club has been impressed with his decision-making and poise under pressure.

RISING STAR

A boarder at Prince Alfred College last year, Will Gould is expected to miss some time with the Tigers this season because of state under-18 commitments. He is a quality, versatile youngster who can play mostly in the midfield or up forward.

BIG OFF-SEASON

Brad Agnew returns to the club refreshed after 12 months travelling and he has been outstanding on the track over summer. While most of his football has been played in defence, he has trained with the midfield group.

2018 SEASON RECALL

Sixth

Best & fairest:

1 Max Proud

2 Chris Curran

3 Matthew Snook

Leading goalkicker: Josh Scott 35