Stars

Coach: Gav

Home Ground: Galaxy Dome

Ranking history:

• 2010 – 8th
• 2011 – 6th
• 2012 – 6th
• 2013 – 6th
• 2014 – 3rd
• 2015 – 6th
• 2016 – 9th
• 2017 – 6th
• 2018 – 4th
• 2019 – 3rd
• 2020 – 7th
• 2021 – 7th
• 2022 – 5th
• 2023 – 4th

Team/Coach bio: A fiercely competitive coach that stops at nothing to recruit players with dual forward and midfield position status at every opportunity.

The Stars have been around the mark a few years now, but are another side yet to have it all come together and make a Grand Final. Ruck injuries have caused headaches for the coach in recent seasons, despite having about 15 of them on his list at any given time.

In the recruiting department, Gav has managed to build a side with plenty of youth and talent. The likes of Treloar, Rockliff (as a forward), Dustin Martin and new cult hero Bontempelli will provide them plenty of scoring power for years to come. It’s only a matter of time before the Stars go all the way in this Keeper competition, assuming his rucks can stay on the park – and he stops spewing up good players to the Warriors in questionable trades.

2015: Another 6th place. The side looked to be a big contender early on but key injuries to Rockliff and Prestia left the club competitive, but not really banging down the door for a finals appearance.

The list is still young, and with most players in it’s prime you’d bet they would have another strong 2016. If they can make a few wise trade decisions and not deal with the Snakes or Warriors they’ll go far next year.

2016: A miserable year for Gav and his crew. Rockliff couldn’t stay on the park at times, and the Stars local hospital was a revolving door of injured stars, especially early on.

The club will be hoping for a change of fortune in 2017. The list is solid with minimal change required. Houli should add some power to the back line. Watch out in 2017.

2017: Another so-so year. It all started with Tom Rockliff dropping his scoring output and getting injured again. The club held onto Harley Bennell and Brett Deledio while they wasted more time on the sidelines too.

Where to from here? Bontempelli and Scooter Selwood continue to shine bright, but do they have the cattle to move into the top 4  next year?

2018: The club had an average year, with a lowly points against column allowing them to slide into the final four when other coaches deemed it maybe wasn’t warranted.

Treloar going down mid year and Rockliff failing to fire at Port Adelaide were the main concerns for Casey, but he’ll be around the mark again next year.

2019: A career high 3rd place finish had the Stars pumped, only losing to the Warriors in a prelim causing the end to it’s season. The club enjoyed a strong stay in the top half of the ladder throughout the season, proving they can notch up wins consistently. Can they go a few steps higher in 2020? Punters are divided. Time will tell.

2020: Looked to be in spoon contention mid season, but turned it around late to avoid complete embarrassment. The coach was vocal in his disdain for the season commencing and just wanted it to be all over. The players scored like they agreed. 2021 will be an interesting year to see where Stars are truly at.

2021: The club officially opted for a rebuild, and started cleaning house. This may take a few years but Gav looks to be the right man for the job. Nabbing Fiorini from the Snakes late in the year proved a remarkable get, with Fiorini returning to career best form upon his arrival at the Galaxy Dome. Next season will be another lean year but the future objective is clear.

2022: This club is going places. Despite being very early in its rebuild, the club was arguably over performing and ahead of  schedule in 2022. The Stars narrowly missed finals due to some key injuries but looks like the main club to finally topple the ‘Cartel’ stranglehold on the competition.

2023: Is he rebuilding or winning it? Mixed messaging all year but made it into finals either way.

Nick Daicos is going to keep the Stars relevant for as long as he plays. Add to that the likes of the Bont and Jack Sinclair. Im liking what the Stars are up to. Made it into week 2 of finals then dropped out, but this was still a huge pass mark for the rebuilding club.

Nank has revolutionized himself, Darcy Cameron up front & I’m a big fan of Dylan Moore. On their day the Stars can do something special but I feel they’re also one step back from the top 3.

Theme song:

Favourite opposition player within the league:

Scott Pendlebury

Favourite Keeper ‘moment’:

The joel Selwood/Scott selwood trade debacle even though I was involved it was hilarious.

Worst player you’ve ever drafted:

Easton wood, not necessarily the worst be he just shit me.

Player you’re most proud of drafting:

Scott selwood/dion Prestia dpp baby!!