By Davis Harrigan
The Eastern Football Netball League Premier Division is heating up more than ever in 2022 and a new look Doncaster are ready to take a significant step with it.
After missing out on finals in 2019 and unable to find a spot in the top 5 last year, there is a big ambition to get back to where the Sharks belong.
Chris Annakis has stepped into the coaching seat, taking over the reins from Stewart Kemperman.
A legend of the football club and the league, he’s got a side that is ready, powerful, and looking ahead past all the disruptions.
Despite last year’s unfortunate run cruelled by injuries, Annakis is keen to bounce back and make a run for the finals.
“Our goal will be to play finals footy, we’re looking to improve, and we finished just outside in the end when the season officially got called off last year.
“We had a tough start with a tough draw, but we also had a pretty depleted side with unfortunate injuries,” Annakis said.
“When we got a few blokes back, we started to get on top and get a few wins on the board, so we’ll definitely be making a push this year.”
Doncaster’s depth has been very much strengthened across the board, with the recent signing of former Melbourne Demons ruck Mark Jamar, who will form a formidable ruck and tall duo alongside Jake Spencer.
Angelo Rambaldi is the Sharks captain for season 2022, Jack Mahon is vice-captain, along with Todd Vanderhaar, Kane Henden, and David Molly in the leadership group.
All these players are primed and ready for a big year, with Annakis highlighting the efforts they’ve all put in across the last 12 months.
“There’s still a lot of names that people will be familiar with; Todd Vanderhaar’s had a big pre-season and he’s only just hit his mid-twenties, and he’s been a star of the competition for a few years now already,” Annakis said.
“Jack’s put in a massive off-season, focusing on himself and his strengths and he’s the fittest I’ve ever seen him.
“He wants to take his game to the next level, which I’m backing him in to do so and then working closely with him.
“You’ve also got Kane who works pretty closely with Jack as well, he’s had a year or two in the system with us, but with COVID he’s just had a season of Premier footy after coming over from Surrey Park, so I’m expecting him to improve as well.”
For pre-season and preparation, Doncaster are doing things a little differently, and allowing plenty of freedom for the players to be able to build up their own skills and hone talent.
“It’s about being pro-active in your planning, knowing what your options are and keeping it fresh, and keeping people interested and engaged.
“We’ve been lucky enough to use our bottom oval at Schramms, and we’ve also got boxing gyms and weight rooms we can use,” Annakis said.
“That’s a different environment to keep them keen, so we do chop and change a bit to keep everyone interested so it’s not the same thing and too repetitive, and I think it’s been working.”
Rather than the priority being the opposition, it will be about honing the foundations of what’s being built upon, and the direction Annakis is looking towards.
“My coaching philosophy is to focus on our own backyard before anyone else, and I have full confidence in our list and our players,” Annakis remarked.
“There will be times where we will have a focus and a little portion of the week on the opposition, but this time of the year we’re full steam ahead worrying about what we can control.”
A silver lining for Doncaster is Annakis has been part of the club setup for a long time – giving him a unique perspective on coaching.
He’s had the opportunity to glean from so many during his time, and that has influenced how he goes about coaching and understanding the game.
“It’s a positive being involved in coaching the club, where I’ve been for such a long time, it’s familiar, but I’m also well aware about our playing list and what we need to do,” Annakis said.
“I do see it as an advantage, coming from some success and some lows at the footy club as well, so me being able to differentiate what the feeling around the place is when it’s going well compared to when it’s not, is something we can really focus on.”
Having had Andrew Tranquilli, Adam Bester and recently Stewart Kemperman at the helm, he has had no shortage of quality mentorship.
“Being under these quality coaches and quality people, I’ve had the opportunity to grab what I enjoy, and they’ve all had a massive impact on my footy,” Annakis said.
Annakis highlighted the very cohesive and supportive culture at the club, and how it’s re-invigorated those who want to come back and have missed local football.
“I think the culture is as strong as ever, if not stronger than before.
“These last few years of interruptions, no-one enjoyed and wanted, but having that time away from the game has made people realise they want to be around the football club, the want to be down at trainings, and that they missed their teammates and the camaraderie.”
It’ll be all systems go come round one, and Annakis is backing his players in, no matter the opposition.
“We know there’s strong opposition and we respect all our opposition.
“We’re focusing on our own backyard, and we’ll react as we see fit.”
