Silver Storm fired up
The Adelaide Storm is gearing up for the 2024 Mahindra Super League with determination underscored by a serious case of unfinished business.
After taking home silver last year in a sensational final against the Perth Steel, Adelaide is more determined than ever to go all the way this season.
Simon Coat, a key player for the Storm, acknowledges the team’s successes but is clear about their ultimate goal.
“Overall, it was a very successful year,” he said. “We have taken silver two years in a row now, and the team is keen to make the final step.”
The Storm’s roster for 2024 sees a few young players joining the team, looking to make their mark. Coat is optimistic about the team’s prospects, expressing excitement about the fresh energy these rising stars bring.
“We have a mostly unchanged team, with a few younger members looking to make more of an impact this year. I’m excited to see how they go!”
As they prepare for the new season, Coat feels confident that the Storm is in a strong position to be just as competitive, if not more so, than last year. The disappointment of falling short in the final match has only fuelled the team’s resolve.
“After the disappointment of the previous two years, everyone has more fire than ever to perform at this high level,” Coat said.
The 2024 season marks the second year of the Super League’s new format, which introduced powerplays and other strategic elements that add a layer of complexity to the game. The Storm, having learned from their experiences last year, are approaching these strategies with renewed focus.
“We saw powerplay strategies used to great effect by our coaches and opposition coaches. We have much more data to operate with this year, and we’re keen to continue to make aggressive moves in this space,” Coat said.
On a personal level, Coat is entering the season in peak form, thanks to the rigorous competition in the South Australian Volleyball League, which closely mirrors the standard of play in the AVL.
“The team and I are in perfect form to hit the ground running in round 1,” Coat said
To open their campaigns in the 2024 Mahindra Super League, the Adelaide Storm will take on the Perth Steel in a grand-final rematch at Warwick Stadium, Perth on Saturday 31 August.
Click here for more information on the 2024 Mahindra Super League.
