Cole finds his calling at the Bay

By ZAC MILBANK

After his first 50 Hostplus SANFL League games, Cole Gerloff was seriously considering a return to his family farm on the Eyre Peninsula.

After his next 49, the Glenelg premiership wingman couldn’t be happier as he approaches his 100th match milestone when the Tigers tackle North Adelaide at Prospect on Saturday.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 25-year-old revealed he was ready to call an end to his State League career upon finishing at The Parade by the end of the 2021 season.

Instead, the strongly-built product from Darke Peak decided to answer the Bays’ call to link up with former Redlegs teammates and then Glenelg midfield coach Sam Baulderstone.

The move has proven to be a master-stroke for both parties as Gerloff played a significant role in helping earn Glenelg its 2023 premiership with a superb opening term in last year’s Grand Final.

Making his SANFL League debut with Norwood in 2018, Gerloff was a member of his team’s star-studded line-up but the upset loss to North Adelaide in the title-decider acted as an important lesson.

Earning the Powerade Breakthrough Player award the following season, the auto-electrician quickly learned that tasting the ultimate success isn’t a straightforward process.

Now playing with a hard edge gained from making his A-grade debut with Eastern Ranges at the age of just 13, Glenelg’s No.4 has evolved from a half-forward to a winger who can also pinch hit inside the centre square.

Set to share his milestone with premiership teammate Luke Reynolds, who is playing his 150th, Gerloff is aiming for a win against the Roosters to solidify his team’s place in the top three ahead of the major round.