By Tash Gunawardana
South Belgrave proved themselves in Division Two last year after they were promoted from Division Three after winning the Division Three Premiership and took almost all before them at the first time of asking.
South Belgrave finished fourth in Division Two last season with seven wins from 12 matches and were ready to take it right up to the Division Two contenders before COVID brought the season to an abrupt end.
Senior Coach Luke Galliott is embarking on his fourth year as South Belgrave coach and he hopes that the COVID interruptions are behind the league and his team can play Division Two finals for the first time.
The Saints have once again been active on the transfer front, signing several key names across the off-season headlined by former North Melbourne player Taylor Garner who is sure to add some more experience and poise to their forward half.
Other players that have made the move to South Belgrave include Callan Burns and Mitchell Garner from Rowville, Thomas Sonsie from Scoresby, Bryce Hards and Charlie Peters from Upper Ferntree Gully and Ferntree Gully respectively.
South Belgrave did lose six of their players to Croydon North MLOC with Hamish and Riley Punnett, Declan Jinks, Liam Williams, Jayden Visser and Robert Hudson all making the switch to the Division Four club.
Galliott feels his team are in a better position than last season.
“It’s been pretty solid we feel we are far further advanced with our preparation compared to 12 months ago albeit at times the commitment from our core group has been tested from session to session, the guys all in all have enjoyed the workload and can’t wait to get the season started,” he said.
“They all understand the game plan, but we are still adding pieces to it and teaching multiple roles to lots of guys especially our younger guys.”
Ahead of the 2022 season, the South Belgrave men have focussed on a few key areas.
“Getting back to being strong around our structures and playing a selfless hard-working brand of footy,” Galliott continued.
“Our preparation has been another key focus and we believe we are close to where we need to be.”
The South Belgrave women’s team have come from Division One all the way up to the topflight and many people will have them as underdogs in 2022.
“I can tell them(people) we are not intending on stepping into Premier Division to just make up a number, we are coming to the party, and are ready to surprise,” Senior Women’s Coach Simon Mehegan said.
Exciting times ahead this season for South Belgrave with 10 Under-18 girls moving up to the Senior Women’s team.
“On top of the Under-18 girls coming up, we then have a further 11 girls that are either joining from other clubs or about to play footy for the first time,” Mehegan said.
“Some of the new recruits have been strategically targeted, that I am positive will contribute greatly as we plan to consolidate our position in Premier Division.”
Preseason training for the South Belgrave women’s team has been of the highest quality according to Mehegan, who has been helped on the track by skipper Baylie Withers and Kate Cattenach (Playing Assistant Coach), Keeley Shepherd and Michelle McIlwain.
“With a good crew of assistant coaches, I have been able to take a back seat to preseason and focus on recruitment and bringing the group together,” he said.
“Laughing, smiling, and having a good time has been priority number one.
“With our Premier Division Under-18 girls also training with the two senior women’s teams, it has provided solid numbers every session which allows us to do a lot more.”
The vibe down at Saints training has been positive.
“The vibe around training has been a fun and enthusiastic buzz that is growing nicely as we approach the season with new girls talking about the awesome environment that they are witnessing firsthand,” Mehegan continued.
“February was about bringing the group together for the first time and building the bond that is needed, to then preparing to play football through March.
“April we will move into second gear preparing for round one at the end of the month.”
Saints fans will be able to watch the senior and reserves women’s teams playing one game after the other for the first time in 2022 as well.
“This will only be a couple of times in the season, though will definitely be something to look forward too,” Mehegan said.
Mehegan also added that South Belgrave simple but strong motto for this season.
“Playing with fun and freedom will unlock the door to success.”