By Trent Callen.
Forest Hill showed glimpses of hope throughout a challenging 2022, only to be outgunned by the two front running Division Four sides, with the Zebras all but unable to claim the two prized scalps of Silvan and Surrey Park.
With the Cats getting the nod in a battle of both the heavyweights of the competition, to earn a promotion as a result, it leaves the door ajar for a team like Forest Hill to pounce on a finals berth for the first time in years.
Adopting the fresh start motif, the Zebras attention turns fully into the new year, under head coach Justin Scicluna at the helm, and his board of trustees marshalling the troops for a highly anticipated but testing season ahead.
Scicluna commented on the mountain of work done on the track in preparation for their 2023 campaign, alluding to a host of new names Forest Hill has targeted and been able to attract within their four walls over Summer.
“We’ve had a really good pre-season, one where a lot of new faces have come into the club and have fitted in really nicely,” Scicluna said.
“With their experience from playing at higher levels as well it’s been fantastic for a younger group and their development that has progressed over the past 3-4 months.”
The Forest Hill head coach touched on the talent that has walked through their doors during the off-season, noting they’ve searched far and wide for replacements in key areas, with Scicluna singing their praises in the process.
“A few boys have transitioned from up north in Daniel Simpson, Brock Jennings, Fraser Jennings, Mitch O’Donoughe and Cam Parnham all from Darwin.”
“We’ve recently signed Adrian McCarthy who’ll be super for us,” Scicluna added.
McCarthy makes the switch from Yea FNC, with TOTY honours alongside his name, to go with a representation at interleague level.
Before this, the gut-running midfielder had a home at Seymour FNC where he registered in excess of 100 Senior games.
Additionally, the Zebras welcomed in Brad Wylde, with Scicluna suggesting “he is going to be a star,” after he was poached from Knox during the break.
Ned Bradley is another name that can be thrown onto the transfers list, joining Forest Hill after formerly at Glen Waverley Hawks, with Scicluna also saying that “he will be phenomenal for us in the ruck.”
Despite their development squad stumbling on the last hurdle in 2022 – outclassed by a superior Surrey Park outfit to finish runners up – it speaks volumes for the clubs depth and something Scicluna was proud to share.
“We’ve definitely still got that depth, there’s been some players that have moved on as that happens with every club at the end of every season.”
“But we’ve looked at our list and we’re really confident in it, we know now even if we cop a couple of injuries that we’ve got players that can come and still fill those roles without even blinking an eye.”
Heading into the new year, Scicluna admitted he subscribes to the view of 2023 being a season full of an even spread of chances, with a focus on clear concise messaging, highlighting the opportunity that presents itself to his list.
“I think it’s going to be probably one of the most hotly contested Division Fours – Scoresby coming down, and with both Kilsyth and Chirnside Park recruiting well – it’ll be one of those years where everyone can beat everyone.”
“If you give yourself a chance to be there when the whips are cracking then I think anything can happen, we aren’t really looking too far forward at this point though.”
Whilst tiptoeing around the age old saying one week at a time, Scicluna acknowledged the apparent belief that sits within the group at this early stage, who are set with a fast approaching Round 1 task in the form of Nunawading.
“One hundred percent it’s there…like I said it’s a long road ahead, there’ll be challenges along the way, and I know it’s a cliche but we do need to take it one step at a time, the belief is definitely there within the club.”
A problem area that was addressed over the off-period noticeably sat in their engine room, with Scicluna talking on the gap fillers brought in to patch up those holes left through retirements and so forth.
“I think one of our weaknesses or areas we needed to improve was gaining more depth through our midfield, and we’ve gone out and achieved that through bringing in some experienced recruits.”
“Just across the board the whole list has improved, the internal drive amongst the group and some of the things we’ve been doing off-field – building on the culture aspect – have really started to take shape and we’re excited to see it rolled out this week.”
A last point the Zebra’s coach communicated regarded the off-field changes, with Scicluna introducing the one changing face in the Senior setup being that of Ash Walsh, in a player ‘consultancy’ role.
“We’ve pretty much got the same make-up with our senior coaching staff to previous years, apart from Walsh who has come onboard to run sort of the leadership and cultural side of things.”
“Brad Tuite has come in to look after our development side now, we’ve also got Ben Durance who’s tied in with our young talented up and coming players.
In a double act, Durance will also lace up for the Senior side again this year after an injury hampered 2022 derailed the back end of his year in Zebra colours.
A new look leadership group in 2023 will be bred, with Jarryd Healey-Rotheram heading it up in assuming the captaincy role.
“There are new faces, a couple of recruits filling out some of the spots of players who have moved on but we’re all about being on the same page and it seems to be humming along quite nicely,” Scicluna added.