SFNL: Cheltenham has added Riet Pal as club prepares to kick off premiership defence

A new motto and a new recruit could provide the impetus for Cheltenham’s quest for a famous three-peat, as the club looks to unearth the next Josh Lai.

Cheltenham Seniors coach Justin Pickering holds the SFNL trophy with Captain Jack Worrell. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Cheltenham has adopted a new motto and added a new signing as the club continues its quest for a famous three-peat despite a relatively quiet off-season.

The Rosellas helped produce the feel good story of the footy off-season when Josh Lai, having never played a Coates League or VFL match, was picked up by Port Adelaide as a pre-season supplemental selection period signing.

Lai was listed as an emergency in Port Adelaide’s latest clash against Essendon.

Now, the club hopes it can be the launching pad for more players to follow a similar path to success.

“That’s certainly what we want to do, we want to have more Josh Lai stories, our under-19 numbers have been really good this year,” coach Justin Pickering said.

Pickering added that incremental improvements across its youthful playing list would be the focus this year as the club looked to offset the recruiting gains of its rivals.

“Very quiet compared to a lot of clubs on the recruiting side but that doesn’t diminish the fact that we’ve got a competitive list,” Pickering said.

“We’ll just make sure that every player improves five to 10 per cent to negate what other clubs have recruited to try and chase us down.”

“We were there (as the hunted) last year as well after winning it in ‘23, the boys relished the challenge and the proof was in the pudding when you go undefeated in the year.

Cheltenham bask in the 2024 SNFL premiership glory. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“We still turned over a lot of players, we set a motto for the year ‘Challenge Accepted’, we don’t want to be just a good team but a great team to win three in a row.

“That’s the aim … it would be great to be remembered as a great team.”

The Rosellas have picked up a late boost to their defensive stocks, securing the services of Riet Pal.

Pal, now in his mid-20s, managed three senior games for Noble Park across an interrupted 2024 campaign. As a younger player, he spent time on Collingwood’s VFL list and was best afield in an AFL Victoria Young Guns game.

Pickering said Pal “held his own” in Cheltenham’s first practice match.

EFL Premier Division: Noble Park v Doncaster East at Pat Wright Snr Oval. Riet Pal – Noble Park and Lucas Bridger – Doncaster East. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Minimal game time last year, he’s been training well and will get an opportunity, really excited to see how he can slot in and play a role,” Pickering said.

“He’s training well, he enjoys the environment … he’ll only get better for every match he plays, he’s got some great mentors in the backline.

“I think he’s in a good spot and he’ll bring something different.”

Pickering is also expecting a strong season from intercept defender Sam Hayes, who played 13 games last year after missing the early stages of the season.

“He’s gonna take another step and be even better this year, he’s probably already a top three backman in the league,” Pickering said, adding that he hasn’t missed a session.

After two years travelling, “super athlete” and elite runner Jack Davis is also returning to the Rosellas.

Cheltenham host Dingley this Saturday in a tantalising grand final rematch at Jack Barker Oval.