Sturt coach Marty Mattner believes the challenge facing his club in this year’s SANFL finals is different

Sturt coach Marty Mattner, who took the club to premiership glory last year, said there was more pressure on the Double Blues this season due to the increased expectation.

SANFL Coaches and captains. Picture: (AAP Image/James Elsby).

STURT coach Marty Mattner acknowledges the challenge facing the club as defending champion has a different feel to last year when the Double Blues entered the finals as an underdog.

Speaking at yesterday’s SANFL finals launch at Adelaide Oval, Mattner said this season was a contrast to last year when there was little expectation hanging over his side.

The Double Blues will open their finals campaign with the imposing challenge of stopping in-form Port Adelaide in the qualifying final at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

“No one rated us going into the finals last year,” Mattner said. “We had played some good footy, but no one thought we would challenge anyone.

“This year the expectations are quite high and everyone is expecting us to do well. It is a different type of challenge this year managing the expectations of the group and players.

“And that is great. We talk about trying to be the best team and we are probably up there close. But we are not quite there yet and the first week against Port is a good challenge.”

That increased expectation means added pressure, a fact which sits comfortably with Mattner.

He said the club was simply content to qualify for the finals last year and if “things happened they happened”.

Ruckman Jack Osborn and Ben Hansen will return to the Double Blues after being rested from the final round draw with Norwood at The Parade.

The Double Blues will having a training run at Adelaide Oval tonight

As for the 21 players who will front for Port, there is the definite unknown according to Mattner.

Port captain Steven Summerton is back from illness and coach Chad Cornes said SANFL contracted players Louis Sharrad, Tom Gray and Robert Young, who all fronted North Adelaide on Saturday, will keep their spot.

That leaves one position open for a state league player and Cornes hinted it would be a defender.

Port will be without Nathan Krakouer after he was suspended for one game for engaging in rough conduct against the Roosters. Finding a replacement won’t be an issue given the low injury toll.

The winner of the qualifying final will meet minor premier Woodville-West Torrens in the second semi-final, while the loser faces the victor of the elimination final battle between Norwood and Central District.

The Redlegs will have their main training session for the week at Adelaide Oval tonight.