THE NEXT STEP
“Choose Tap” Countdown | Boronia
By Alysia Thomas Sam (@Alysislts)
Boronia has always had its sight set on the ultimate prize over the past seasons.
It’s a club that has never quite faltered in their successes, but has just slipped at the chance of experiencing utter glory.
Consistently the Hawks have had their wings clipped in the semi-finals by formidable opponents in Mitcham (2013) and Templestowe (2014).
But, Coach Marc Hardy may just have found the X-Factor Boronia needs to surge them past the second hurdle of finals.
“The average age and average games is going to drop so it’s going to be inexperienced but it’s going to be high-intensity and a fit brand of footy,” he said.
The zippy standards of today’s run and carry is enough to encourage every player to imitate Gary Ablett, but Hardy’s keeping it simple – he just wants good fitness from his boys.
“The guys that have been training have been working very hard on their fitness, made it a real focus, like you do every pre-season. There’s a really good vibe around the footy club,” he explained.
The adrenalin-fuelled state of mind wanted from the Boronia playing list needs to be kept in check as the season wears on.
Although the Hawks want to fly head first into Round 1, a solid foundation of accountable players has the power to make or break them half way through the year.
“I think it’s just the whole leadership group has been fantastic. They’ve been outstanding those guys,” Hardy said.
The lethal injection of Generation Y members is not the only secret facet of Boronia’s pre-season. A new president has been welcomed to the club as well.
Kristan Wood has taken the reigns for Boronia in its 2015 endeavors and as a former senior captain and member of the Hawks’, there’s a general consensus down at Tormore Reserve that he’ll suit the Brown and Gold just fine.
“The footy club is heading in the right direction with sponsors and members, and the new president this year,” Hardy said.
Although they’re going to start employing an intensively skilled style of footy onto the field, they’re not expecting an easy ride in Division 3.
“Without looking too far ahead, our guys are just setting themselves to look just one week ahead and to train as hard as we can. We know the results will come if the process is right, ” Hardy said.
In saying that, Hardy is not too afraid to dream big.
“The ultimate goal would be to hold a premiership cup, but I think the short-term goal that we set is how our players are training and really putting in to practice things that we’re working on,” he said.
Watch the Hawks soar at the peak of their fierce pre-season campaign against Chirnside Park at Kimberley Reserve.