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

Long-suffering Glenelg fans were given a reason to be positive about their club’s future with a sixth-placed finish in 2018. And there are reasons to hope for continued improvement next season.

Glenelg fans have suffered through mostly losing seasons in recent history but 2018 saw the club moving in the right direction and finishing sixth with a 9-9 win/loss record.

There are more reasons for fans to hope for continued improvement and possible return to finals football in 2019.

1 GLENELG will welcome some new faces and some familiar ones to the Bay after adding significant quality to its squad in the off-season.

Luke Partington and Cory Gregson headline the recruits as they join from West Coast and Geelong’s AFL lists.

Partington, who snubbed former club Norwood in favour of the Tigers, will add another ball-winner to the engine room and still has room to develop at 21 years of age.

While Partington will be ready to roll and make an impact round one, Gregson’s projected influence is more up in the air. That is not to say Bays fans should not be getting excited.

Gregson has obvious AFL talent but has been hampered by foot injuries. If he can get on the park there is every chance he can be a star at Glenelg.

Former Richmond forward Liam McBean and ex-Bays defender Brad Agnew also return to the club as key additions after having years off.

2 BAYS fans would have been licking their lips at the blockbuster matches on the cards when the SANFL draw was released earlier this month.

Glenelg starts its campaign with a tantalising Friday night match-up away against Norwood – the first of four clashes under lights for the Tigers next season.

They will also host Sturt on Good Friday in round four, a fixture the club has pioneered, followed by an Anzac Day eve game on the road against West Adelaide the following week.

A Queen’s Birthday blockbuster is then on the cards against reigning premiers North Adelaide in round nine.

Glenelg Coach Mark Stone address his players during a 2018 game. Picture: AAP Image

3 COACH Mark Stone signalled his belief in Glenelg in November when he signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2020 season.

Coming into his second season at Brighton Rd, Stone’s commitment shows he believes success is ahead for the Bays.

The playing group will now also be acutely aware of the former Fremantle assistant’s game plan after a full year under his guidance.

4 THE season ended at the wrong time for Glenelg in 2018 as it stormed home with six wins to finish the campaign after a 3-9 start.

While carrying that form over into the a new year is no easy feat, the strong run to the finish line showed the competition the Bays have what it takes to challenge, and beat, the top teams.

It included victories over finals sides South Adelaide and Sturt as well as eventual premiers North.

Will this finally be the season Glenelg ends its seven-year finals drought?

5 FOR the first time since 2013 and just the third time in the past decade Glenelg had just one player selected in the AFL drafts.

While the Bays are always looking to develop talent, not losing any to the higher level will see more youngsters pushing for league selection and give their depth a big boost ahead of 2019.

Tobin Cox was drafted by Port Adelaide but was the single player selected from Glenelg. By comparison, three players were taken in 2017, 2015 and 2014 plus four in 2016.