After playing four games in his debut season, Stenglein became a regular in the Crows side the next year, playing nearly every game over a four-year period, becoming a highly rated player at the club, and indeed often touted as a potential club captain.

Stenglein moved to West Coast leaving behind his strong fan base in Adelaide.

During the turmoil of the West Coast Eagles 2006 pre-season, rumour suggested Stenglein was considered one of the possible choices to replace the disgraced Ben Cousins as club captain, but his lack of time at the club would have counted against him, and it was given to the obvious choice, champion Eagle Chris Judd.

During the 2006 season, Stenglein played every match, eventually becoming an AFL Premiership player when selected in the West Coast Eagles Grand Final winning side.

After playing 11 games in 2009, the Eagles star announced his retirement on 11 September 2009 at the West Coast club champions awards night despite having a year left on his contract.