With the completion of all the preseason games, it is all go for the four senior teams. Excellent numbers on the training track have meant that we are able to field a Club XVIII side to compliment out Seniors, Reserves and Under 19’s.
The summer training program saw the senior club averaging between 40 and 50 on the track at each of the pre-season sessions. A huge number and bigger than has been seen in the last few years.
Preseason practice matches were a good stepping stone to us leading into the first game with a highly competitive team in each of the four grades.
The first game saw us on the road to Angelsea where we played a senior and reserve game against the local team. Both teams had convincing wins over an undermanned Angelsea outfit. This helped to build the confidence of the team enormously. The day continued into the early hours of the morning after a trip to the Angelsea Hotel and back to the Footy ground where we were all camping. Between the hours of 2am and 4 am it could be seen that the Commonwealth games were still on everybody’s minds with a few impromptu games taking place on the oval.
Next morning we were up at 7 for breakfast a bonding session and a run and swim. All in all a great weekend was had by all and a special thanks needs to go out to all of those that helped over the weekend.
Our second hitout was against a division one Southern League team in St Pauls. The Reserve game had a curtain raiser comprising of two teams made up of U/19 players and Club XVIII players. The pace of this game was scary and there was some blood spilt showing the boys are keen to cement their spots in the side. The seniors and reserves again had easy wins.
The week prior to our final hitout we played a Friday night intra club game where once again there were no holds barred. It was a very competitive game with not much in the score.
Finally we headed down to the bayside ground in Brighton to take on an almost full strength B grade finalist from last year. The Club XVIII side had a comfortable win which was great for the confidence of the new coach, Marc Mifsud, coaching his first game and playing at Full Back.
The Reserves and Seniors however were not so lucky on the scoreboard. Both teams went down by a couple of goals but there were plenty of positives to be gained as there were still a handful of good players missing from the senior outfit which of course then filters down the line.
The U/19’s also took on Brighton at home and comfortably disposed of them.
After the preseason I think it can be said that the feeling around the club is very positive and everybody is looking forward to a big year. I do not envy the selectors come round one as there will be a few hard calls made!
I hope that during the year we can see a lot of the Junior parents at the games. Local football is alive and well.