West Adelaide confident it is far better prepared to challenge for the SANFL flag this season

West Adelaide coach Gavin Colville has no doubt the Bloods can be a more competitive outfit this season after 12 months in the job and an off-season of productive recruiting.

West Adelaide coach Gavin Colville is adamant the Bloods will be better prepared this season. Picture: Dean Martin

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There is no reason West Adelaide should not be confident and expect a “good” season.

Those are the words of Bloods coach Gavin Colville, who has no doubt the club will be far better prepared this season on the back of his 12 months’ experience in the role.

Colville even admits he was a little naive in terms of what he needed to know as to the intricacies of ball movement and defensive structures.

“After 12 months in the role I’m expecting myself and the coaching staff to have a few more things in place, while our training standards have improved again this year,” he said. “Where we were at the end of last season was a fair bit ahead of where we were at the start of the season, particularly defensively. We won’t pretend to think we have the solution to football in our back pocket but hopefully we are in a better spot.”

An issue needing work was inconsistency which hampered the side last year. Colville said it had nothing to do with the players’ mindset or preparation but probably had more to do with an inability to counter particular opponents and their game plans. That has been a priority over summer, with adjustments made to the side’s defensive structures. Colville also wants more variety with the ball movement.

“We have been working through those adjustments — they took time,” he said. “There is no question we will be better prepared.”

What also has raised expectations is successful recruiting, especially in the midfield with the return of Will Snelling and Chris Schmidt, captain of the 2015 premiership side and Jack Oatey Medallist in the grand final triumph. Schmidt has had 12 months away from state league action and he had exceeded the club’s expectations with his pre-season training load.

Snelling is back with the Bloods after three seasons with Port Adelaide. He earned the best-and-fairest award with its state league side last year.

West Adelaide captain Tom Keough. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

Then there is Dallas Willsmore, lured to Richmond Oval after being delisted by Hawthorn, as another option on the ball.

The signings will help relax the pressure on engine room gun Kaine Stevens. It also means captain Tom Keough can be sent back to defence, or even be used up forward.

“You have to exploit the assets of players and Tom’s is he can play any position,” Colville said. “One of the reasons for inconsistency was our inability to counter-punch through the midfield but hopefully we have more firepower there.

“Schmidty plays hard, that is his nature, and even in competitive stuff at training he rides the edge. He gets everything out of himself and is a great role model.

“Will is still only young but is a class act on and off the field.”

Will Snelling is back at Richmond Oval after a stint with Port Adelaide. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

GUN RECRUIT

The Bloods welcome back midfield gun Will Snelling after three years with the Power in a massive boost for the midfield. He was best-and-fairest with Port’s state league team last season after a brilliant campaign.

ONE TO WATCH

Dallas Willsmore has joined the club from Hawthorn where he played two AFL games in four seasons. He was a premiership player with Box Hill last year and will give the Bloods another option in the midfield. Hugh Haysman is a 2015 premiership player but injury prevented him playing a league game last season.

Dallas Willsmore, left, in action for Box Hill. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

RISING STAR

Small defender Elliot Dunkin made two league appearances last year and should benefit from those experiences, as well as another pre-season. A product of PHOS Camden, he is an elite kick.

BIG OFF-SEASON

Jack Agostino has had a terrific summer, as have John Noble and Ken Karpany. They have established themselves as key members of the side and will benefit from another highly-productive pre-season.

2018 SEASON RECALL

Seventh

Best & fairest

1 Kaine Stevens

2 Josh Schiller

3 Tom Keough

Leading goalkicker

Mason Middleton 30