By Josh Ward.
The Park Orchards men’s are looking to build on a solid first season in Premier Division while the women will look to have another strong season in Division 1.
Entering Premier Division for the first time since their first season as a senior club in 2012, the Sharks men’s side showed plenty of promise, particularly towards the start of the season. However they lacked consistency and would go on to finish in eighth with six wins.
Ex-Carlton man Dennis Armfield will be at the helm for a fifth consecutive year as playing coach, recently saying that the side was looking much stronger heading into this season.
“We’ve had a great preseason, we’ve been fortunate enough to have some local talent that’s taken their football to the next level and we’ve been able to compliment that with one or two recruits here and there,” Armfield said.
“What better challenge than to take on arguably one of the best teams in the competition in Round 1 in Doncaster East.”
Majority of the playing list has signed on for this season, with the only big name departure being that of Matthew George to divisional rivals South Croydon.
“We’ve kept our core group of players, most of our senior players, a couple of our reserves have retired of age but we knew that already.
“They get replaced, not without a lot of love, with the next crop of 19s that are coming up, they’re really hungry, that have helped drive standards this preseason which is exciting.”
The 19s side at Park Orchards are coming off a Grand Final in Premier Division last year, with Armfield expecting a few to push for selection in Round 1.
“We saw five or six 19s play last year and three or four of those are close to getting to Round 1. The impact that these guys will have will be phenomenal as the year progresses.”
Amongst the new faces to the side include ex-Geelong player James Parsons who will be an assistant coach whilst potentially playing later in the year.
“Just to have a man of his knowledge around our boys has been superb. We’re just looking to pick his brain and allow a lot of our young group to pick another experienced player’s brain with a wealth of wisdom.”
Liam Jeffs (Lilydale), Noah Riddle (Vermont) and Samuel Allen (South Croydon) also come across, all three of which bringing in top division experience in recent years.
“Noah’s been superb…he’s slotted in nicely, he’ll be very close (to selection), he’ll definitely have an impact throughout the year.
“Liam Jeffs is a classy player, we played against him in Division 1 and knew what we were gonna get and he’s come across with experience and is a different type of player to what we usually have.
“Sam Allen as well from South Croydon, he’s taken his game to another level through preseason. Been very hungry, been on a VFL list for most of preseason so that’s a good wealth of knowledge and good experience for him to bring back to our club.”
They’ve also brought in three members of the Winter family, with Riley signing on from QAFL side Broadbeach, Jackson from next door neighbours North Ringwood and Jordan from Division 4 club Nunawading.
“(They’re a) great family, great bunch of people, it’s great to have cousins and brothers to be able to play with each other.It’s a great thing about our club, we’re a family club.
“When we got Riley we went out and got Jackson and then Jordan as well. I think all three will have an impact at senior level throughout the year, I think all of them bring something different.”
And whilst he’s under no illusions as to the challenge Premier Division presents itself each and every week, Armfield believes that the side can improve with their inclusions and following a strong preseason.
“We’re just gonna do our best to win every football game and I think we’ve got good talent to be competitive with most sides in most games.Do I expect we’ll have lapses, do I expect we’ll have moments of brilliance, of course I do, you get that with a youthful side.
“But for us it’s just about the 60 blokes on our list uniting, doing the best and pushing each other to be the best that they can.”
The women’s side is coming off one of its strongest seasons. After finishing in second they would win their first final against minor premiers Rowville before falling at the final hurdle to the Hawks by three points.
Simon McAuliffe will lead the way once again for the women’s program, saying that the loss on Grand Final Day had somewhat motivated the players that have stayed heading into this season.
“We’ve lost quite a few players out of that team from last year. But I’m sure there’s a hint of motivation to get a little bit better (this year),” McAuliffe said.
“In the juggle of trying to get enough numbers, who’s playing and who’s not playing, those that have stayed are keen and know that their best is good.”
Some of the names departing the side include 2022 Best and Fairest winner plus captain Kaitlyn Rukavina due to travel whilst vice-captain Monique Trusler and Lauren Knowles have also departed for Premier Division clubs.
However their core group of players, including the likes of Isabella Pollock and Alannah Boell, have signed on for another season at Domeney Reserve.
“All those girls over summer it was fun to watch them do their thing, we’ve still got a good core group of players this season.”
There’s be no signings from different clubs for the Sharks nor have they been able to pick up any players from their junior program in the YJFL.
“The girls won the Under 18 premiership last year, but they were all bottom-age. Incredibly we’re not getting one girl come up out of the juniors.
“However there’s Under 16s, Under 14s, Under 12s so the junior program will kick in next year, but this year we won’t…
“We’ve got a few girls (coming in) that look experienced but they’re not that experienced in getting in the car and coming regularly to training so I’m not convinced that they’re playing.
“We’ve got a practice match against Donvale this weekend who are in Premier and I’d like to think that they’re gonna play but we haven’t really picked up anyone
Despite losing players and not gaining too much in return, McAuliffe does have hope that his side can be competitive in a very even Division 1 this season.
“Our two VFLW girls (Jorja Livingstone and Jade Hutchinson) last year came back late in the season, those were pretty handy ins. Rowville had a similar situation too, they got players back as well but I’m not sure whether that’ll work out this year.
“I feel we’ll still win enough games to make finals.”
