Mitcham senior coach Neil Winterton spoke to EFL.org.au ahead of the Tigers’ 2017 campaign…
2017 Leaders
President – Matt McCubbin
Senior Coach – Neil Winterton
Senior Captain – Julian Petracca
What is the club’s ethos/focus in season 2017?
To represent the Mitcham football club both on and off the field to the highest standard possible. To respect the history of the football club and embrace all past players and volunteers who make it possible for us to represent the club each week.
What has the pre-season been like so far for the club? Is there any group that has really impressed (younger players, veterans, new recruits, etc.)?
Pre-season has been really positive, the numbers have been great and the boys have worked very hard.
Alex Finch has put in an enormous amount of work and is showing the benefits. Josh Bell has rejoined the group after a year overseas and hasn’t missed a beat. Lachie Ryan has really impressed as a newcomer to the club.
Off the field, has there been any changes to the structure of the club? And how are you situated heading into the 2017 season?
Off-field we are basically the same as last season, very strong off-field leadership with a great committee supporting our president and vice president. The club is in a stable position financially.
If you could take one thing you learnt from the 2016 season to improve this year, what would it be?
Consistency of effort.
There are no easy games in Division 2, so if you don’t come to play you will be exposed. We need to focus more on playing a team brand of football.
Who are the players who you think will have a break-out season, who may have gone under the radar in the past as far the being known across the EFL community?
Chris Whitchell had a fantastic back-half of last season and looks poised to stamp himself as one of the premier forwards in Division 2.
Jayke Murray who went overseas halfway through last year can become one of the best key position players in the comp.
Where does the club see itself in three years’ time?
In Division 1. We want to get back into the position the club was in 10 or so years ago as a feared club of the EFL.
Finally, who in your division do you feel is the greatest threat to your chances of success in 2017 and why?
Wantirna South will be hungry after last year’s grand final and have recruited well.
Doncaster East also seem to have recruited well and will be very hard to beat.
Expecting it to be an even more tightly contested division than it was last year, no easy games at all.
