2014 EFL Pre-Season Wiki | Tomorrow: Ringwood
by Jason De Vincentis (@JasonDVincentis)
IS age just a number? The men from Lilydale’s Recreation Reserve would want you to believe so.
Heading into its third consecutive Division 1 season, the Lilydale Football Club will look to improve on what was a disappointing finish to last season’s push for a finals spot. .
This season, the Falcons will begin their quest for a finals berth with one of the youngest squads in Division 1.
This is primarily due to their Under 19’s, who put together a great string of results last year to finish runners-up.
“There’s a few kids that I could see breaking out this season in the senior side. We need to develop our young talent,” new Lilydale senior coach Brad Hall said.
“The oldest bloke on our list is 25 and it’s just about getting experience behind them.”
Hall, a four-time premiership ruckman with Vermont, has had previous senior coaching experience with Doncaster East.
“I think they [the Falcons] lacked the depth last season. There were boys who went overseas last year and left the club a bit short,” he said.
“We’ve been able to recruit well and with the crop of young kids coming up this season, we should be right for depth this year.”
Lilydale is capable of competing with a top-four side on its day, evident by its great results early last year against Vermont and Norwood. On the contrary, its solid start was worth little, as it only managed to win just one of its last seven games to finish eighth on the Division 1 ladder.
Lilydale’s push for a finals spot this season will be assisted by some fresh and experienced talent.
The Falcons will be boosted by former Brisbane Lion Brad Harvey, who has endured injury problems over the past few years.
According to Hall, Harvey’s personal goal for this season is to stay healthy.
“His experience playing at a high level will be good for our kids, but we don’t want to get caught up expecting too much from him because he’s still young himself,” Hall explained.
In addition to Harvey, Lilydale welcomes ruckman Mitchell Floyd from Sale in the Omeo DFL, as well as new key forward Scott Dwyer from Chirnside Park. Jake McGuiness, Marcus O’Donohue, Guy Phelps and Andrew Preston are also new inclusions.
There are certainly big shoes to fill though, with former captain Ashraf Davies, along with key forwards Leigh McCombe and James Roach, leading the departure list. In addition, Daniel Breese, Cameron Dawson, Daniel Ferry, Adam Hinds, Jesse Ridd, Damien Volta and Jesse Yarde have all moved elsewhere.
“We’ve had a big player turnover. It’s about getting the new players to gel and to get to know everyone,” Hall said.
One of the potential problems at the club this season could be leadership.
Davies’ departure, in conjunction with the young squad, leads to questions about the team’s maturity and leadership. As of yet, no decision has been made of Davies’ replacement as captain.
Time will tell this season if the young guns at Lilydale have what it takes to compete against the big boys of the East.
The talent, though, is evident.
Can the club achieve success this season as it searches for a spot in the finals?