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“Choose Tap” Countdown | Kilsyth Football Club
By Dan Joyce
Having a strong playing list ahead of the 2015 season has been the main focus for the Kilsyth Football Club over the preseason.
Following an elimination final appearance for the seniors in 2013, 2014 proved to be disappointing for the club as all three of its teams missed the finals.
The club is hoping this can be rectified in 2015.
With a large turnover of players during the 2013/14 off season the story is much different one year later.
The club has managed to re-sign its entire playing list, whilst also adding a number of players from rival clubs.
A main factor in the clubs decline last season was due to being ravaged by injuries. However senior coach Leigh Thompson believes this will hopefully hold his players in good stead for the year ahead.
“We played about 45 blokes in our ones last year and gave a lot of those guys a presence in senior football when they normally wouldn’t have got that opportunity…so this preseason they’ve all got that bit of a sniff,” he said.
Thompson says it has been the younger players who have really impressed.
“Blokes like Robert Mainenti, and a few of the other young boys around that 19-22 year old age group… there’s no real superstars in them but they’re definitely ranking around our top level players,” Thompson said.
If the Cougars are to succeed in 2015, a ruckman and a strong forward line is on the clubs wish list according to Thompson.
“We need a ruckman, and some support for Jay Sherlock up forward, if we can get those two things sorted out, and a bit more depth in the midfield we should go alright.”
Enter Sean Currey. Joining the club from Upwey, formally of Upper Ferntree Gully it is hoped that he can fill both of these needs. Not only has the club positioned itself well for the season ahead, it has also positioned itself well for the future.
“All the blokes we’ve bought down are between that 21 to 25 age group, one or two of the boys are a little bit older, but they can just add experience too…
“It’s about building for the future. We aren’t going to go up to division three with a group of blokes who are 31-32,” said Thompson.
Following a strong preseason where running and a team-first attitude have been the main focus, Thompson believes 10 to 12 wins will be a pass mark.
“Were definitely aiming for the finals as everyone does in the preseason, but if we can finish the year with a bit of momentum going into a finals series I reckon well give it a good shake.”
Kilsyth will kick off its season against Coldstream at Coldstream Reserve on the 11th of April.
