The excitement of gaining a number of the 2008 Under 18’s premiership team along with some new recruits with reputations of being good senior footballers added to the improvement of our training intensity and skill level. We knew the season was going to be tough with the overall improvement of the competition, and the loss of senior players Shane Sheppard, Brad Nordhausen, Mark Murray, Aaron Willoughby and others didn’t help.
 

During the season, selection meetings were tough with such a big list to choose from and not having as many injuries to the playing list as the past couple years. Every week, players were unlucky to miss senior selection but it was a positive problem to have as the Reserves team was consistently filled with capable senior players. Though we didn’t win as many games as we were hoping too, we did play some exciting football and develop some very good young talent as well as seeing the futures worth of our new recruits. A ten goal win against Craigieburn, who were on top of the ladder after three rounds and a win against Strathmore who finished in the top four were two encouraging games. Also to go down by three goals against Greenvale who have undoubtedly been the best side over the last three years was another positive step forward.

We have already planned for pre-season and are looking for recruits to further improve our position on the ladder next season. Adrian has put together a training program to help fast track the physical development of our younger players which will be a bonus before pre-season training begins. Overall we have improved as a group which the Reserves results has proven so with the right recruiting we should all look forward to a much more successful season in the seniors with the continual success of the Reserves.

 

I just want to thank all the people that do a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes and I look forward to working as a team again in 2010 to help improve this great sporting club.

 

Senior Coach