2014 EFL Pre-Season Wiki | Tomorrow: Forest Hill
by Jason De Vincentis (@JasonDVincentis)
WHAT is worse than receiving a bloodied wound? Not being able to stop the bleeding.
The irony, of course, is that this is the way many of the Bloods’ matches unfolded in 2013.
After three hard-fought games to start the season, Warrandyte’s confidence took a massive hit in Round 4 when it was beaten heavily by runners-up Wantirna South to the tune of 88 points.
The Bloods’ defensive holes were exposed. And they were never the same for the remainder of the season.
It was a disappointing finish for Warrandyte, as it succumbed to relegation. And the players now find themselves in the bottom division for 2014.
It’s easy to look at this as a negative situation, but it’s not the mentality that senior coach Michael Tout shares.
“We aim to play finals.” Tout emphatically stated.
A confidence-boosting season in a lower division could be just what this experienced side needs to help regain their mojo.
The Bloods will be having recurring nightmares of some of their performances last season.
Overall, they scored 62.58.430 against sides that finished in the top four. On the reverse side, the top four piled on 123.86.824 against the Bloods, nearly doubling their total.
“Our focus this pre-season has been on changing their attitudes and getting some enthusiasm around the place,” Tout explained.
Warrandyte also endured frustrations off the field last season.
With the Bloods’ new clubrooms still being built, the club has been managing by using portable change rooms at their ground. At this stage, it hopes to have them ready by mid-April.
“It was pretty tough last year not having rooms. As much as it’s your home ground, without having your rooms it can be difficult to call it your home,” Tout said.
BIG NAME RETURN TO WARRANDYTE
But it’s not all doom and gloom for the red and white army.
The Bloods will be boosted this season by the return of North Melbourne legend Glenn Archer.
“I don’t know what’s in store for this season. We’ll see how we go and see how my hamstrings hold up,” Archer wondered.
Archer, who turns 41 at the end of this month, has returned to Warrandyte after last playing for them in 2010 – the season that led the team to a Division 3 finals appearance.
The ‘Shinboner of the Century’ will be a valuable addition to the side, as his hard-nosed passion and commitment to the ball will surely rub off on the rest of the team and unite the Bloods as they make their case for the finals.
“I’m trying to educate the players where to stand defensively. Local footy hasn’t progressed too much, so I’m just trying to make them play smarter and where to go to get the ball,” Archer informed.
Tout couldn’t be happier to have Archer around.
“Arch has been grouse. He comes most nights and with his experience he’s going to be fantastic for the kids this season” Tout asserted.
NEW BLOOD
Among the Bloods’ inclusions on the transfer list is Josh Barrett, who was part of North Ringwood’s Division 3 premiership side in 2012.
Stephen Pham and Kyle Sultana have both made the switch from EFL powerhouse Norwood, while Ross Ansaldi, Lewis Oliver, Stephen Harris, Scott Ternes, Zac Ratcliffe and Sean Bowers are also new additions to the Bloods this season.
Departing the group is Ryan Exon and Harry Vogler.
The Bloods should look at their relegation from Division 3 last season as an invitation to a new challenge.
With a legend of the sport in their realms and new clubrooms on the way, it’s time for the Bloods to stem the bleeding.