New Eagles coach Sam Lonergan says his players have moved on from last year’s 19th man saga after pre-season training camp

NEW Woodville-West Torrens coach Sam Lonergan says he has not inherited a team with a chip on its shoulder after a series of honest conversations at its pre-season training camp in Moonta allowed it to move on from last year’s 19th man saga.

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NEW Woodville-West Torrens coach Sam Lonergan says he has not inherited a team with a chip on its shoulder after a series of honest conversations at its pre-season training camp in Moonta allowed it to move on from last year’s 19th man saga.

The Eagles were furious - and the club is still seeking financial compensation - after being denied a spot in the grand final by North Adelaide which had an extra man on the field for about four minutes of the final quarter of their preliminary final win and went on to claim the premiership.

Six months later and Lonergan, who replaced Michael Godden as coach after he joined the Crows, said the playing group had moved on and a Round 1 re-match against the Roosters at Woodville would be treated like any other game.

“We’ve gone through a number of stages, I walked in in November and it was very much still alive in the footy space,” Lonergan said of the 19th man storm.

“There was no doubt players in November were still frustrated over that period of time, but the reality is (we have) a new coach, new players into the group, and there have been some really good conversations certainly over our camp in Moonta regarding that.

“I’ve got no doubt in my mind the playing group has let it go, they’re in a very healthy mindspace of what Round 1 means to them - it’s as important as any other game.

“We’ll go out there to win the game as I’m sure North will do so there’ll be no holding back, but it’s about making sure we understand our new processes under a new coach and what we can achieve with a positive mindset rather than being caught in a negative space.

“There’s been some really good conversations around that, certainly over the camp, and there is no doubt in my mind the playing group has moved on.”

The other big question over the Eagles is after coming so close so often since its last flag in 2011, how many times can the team climb back off the canvas and go again?

“Jared Petrenko hasn’t missed a training session,” Lonergan said.

“Jared was off with media commitments last year and has had a successful AFL career, he is a key SANFL player when he’s up and going and he’s put the work in so that shows where his mindset is at.

“The group is engaged, refreshed, excited and looking forward to playing some footy.”

The former Tiger and Bomber also believes his group is capable of challenging again immediately.

They lost Paul Stewart and ruckman Marc Borholm to retirement in the off-season but added former Gold Coast Sun Jesse Lonergan and Sydney Swans academy player Jordan Foote to the midfield, while Jimmy Toumpas returns to the club and will play in defence.

“There has been absolutely no question about their commitment and appetite to engage with a new coach and in a new program,” Lonergan said.

“They’ve been coached very well for a long time, the foundation of the club is good and the organisation, so it’s trying to mould a consistent group into a very good one.

“Stewy and Borholm were always going to be hard to replace because they’re both experienced, cool, calm heads.

“But I’ve got full confidence in Jordan and Jesse and Toump who are all between 22 and 24 to provide some real drive and work ethic.”

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