By Blake Tennant.
After an up and down season last year, Ferntree Gully will be looking for a much brighter approach to start the season.
The theme for Ferntree Gully this year is welcoming back players back the club and Senior Coach Brent Kiker is really excited for to welcom some old faces back to the club for season 2023.
Brent Kiker’s expectations are to start the season well after going 0-5 last year.
He wants his young group to develop more this season which is exciting for the club. The two players that have been standouts throughout the pre-season have been Lachlan Kennedy and Luke McComb.
“Lachie is fit and firing ready to go and cannot wait to see him on ball this year, going to be a great addition to the team,” Kiker said.
Last year’s captain Luke McComb had a disturbed season after an ankle injury in Round Two last year.
He has been on light duties throughout the start of the pre-season but Kiker believes that he has a point to prove this year and a player for the competition to look out for.
Brayden Wright, a former junior, has returned to the club.
“After playing some good footy at Boronia, we are happy for him to come back to the club as we want him to play a key role in the ruck position, has great competitiveness and is going to be a real asset to the team.”
Lachlan Kennedy is another signing, coming back to the club from premier club Norwood.
“He’s in great shape and hasn’t missed a beat at training,”
“Whether he’s up forward or in the midfield, he is going to be an outstanding pick up for us for this upcoming season, he also brings experience to our overall youth group.”
Another player coming to the club is Liam Hunt.
“He is going to give us a real boost up the wing and in the forward line,”
“Has great ball use in a position we needed improving on from last year.”
Jayden Purden has also returned to the club from Boronia.
“(He’s) another ex- junior coming from Boronia, his training levels have been fantastic and has made an instant impression on the group,”
“He will be playing on the wing for us and has great running skills.”
Ferntree Gully open their 2023 Campaign against Fairpark at Fairpark Reserve, April 1st, 2023.
The club is also excited to welcome a new senior coach for the senior women’s side.
The new coach down at Wally Tew Reserve is Dwayne Stangherlin, coming from Canterbury FC in the VAFA side in the women’s program.
Stangherlin has expectations are to get the girls’ confidence up and running for the girls after a down year last season, with hopes to get more reward for their effort.
“Training is very good, the numbers have been really positive and the communication levels have been really good,” Stangeherline said.
Stangherlin is very excited on what the side can bring to a new season, looking for big improvements.
One player that has stood out to Stangherline in the pre-season is Ash Hilder.
“Her foot skills have been well, and as well as leadership for the girls,”
“She is definitely trying to get the girls confidence up and running for the up-and-coming season.”