Following relegation Silvan have been working hard to ensure their playing list remains consistent to ensure they can begin to build again. Following the clubs first EFL Premiership in 2014 the Cats have battled over the past two seasons and find themselves competing once again in Division 4.
President Chris Maclagan is hopeful that under new the new leadership of Michael Scoon the club club will find its feet and begin to ascend the EFL ladder once more.
2017 Leaders President – Chris Maclagan Senior Coach – Michael Scoon Senior Captain – Shaun Jones
What is the club’s ethos/focus in season 2017?
After being relegated back to 4th Division after enduring two tough seasons in 3rd Div, the club has worked extremely hard in retaining the existing playing group. Whilst endeavoring to recruit players for the future instead of quick fix, older type guys from higher divisions. The main focus has been to generate fun back into footy for us.
What has the pre-season been like so far for the club, is there any group that have really impressed (younger players, veterans, new recruits etc.)
Preseason has been terrific to date, we trained for 7 weeks before Xmas and have been back on the track for 3 weeks now. We’ve recruited more then a dozen new players, who’ve fitted in seamlessly. The group as a whole is a much younger list than previous years at Silvan, and their youthful enthusiasm is the standout so far.
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 the club is very stable, the same committee from last year remains with one new face in John Bonanno. The major changes are in the coaching ranks with Michael Scoon taking over the senior role from 2014 premiership coach, Chris Murphy (who stood down at the end of 2016, but will remain as a player in 2017). And Shane Rowe has stepped into the Reserves coaching roll, replacing Adrian Cannata who also stepped down last year.
If you could take one thing you learnt from the 2016 season to improve this year, what would it be?
The main lesson the club has learnt from last year is the recruiting of older players for a quick fix is not going to hold you in good stead in the long term. It’s with this knowledge we’ve been really bullish about attracting 19-25 year olds, and not really looking at guys 30 plus. 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?
Jarryd Deitzel a previous U19 star has been showing great signs in the past two seasons in 3rd Div. With a more mature body and the work he’s done preseason will see him make his mark in 2017.
Daniel Begley, brother of recently drafted Eastern Ranger, Josh is looking every bit of a power key position player he has always destined to be. A member of our 2014 premiership at only 19, Daniel has, like all bigger players taken a little longer to develop into his full potential. But with he’s brilliant second half of 2016 and he’s strong preseason to date, the club is excited on how damaging he will be in 2017!
And we can’t forget young Brayden Bowes, the joint senior Best & Fairest winner in 2016 at only 19, Brayden is poised to be one the standouts in 4th Division in 2017.
Where does the club see itself in 3 years time?
In three years time the club would love to see itself back in 3rd Division as a competitive team in both reserves & seniors. As well as reintroducing an U19 team. But as we all know premierships are extremely hard to win, so we take nothing for granted and just keep working towards that goal.
Finally, who in your Division do you feel is the greatest threat to your chances of success in 2017 and why?
Looking at the clubs in 4th Division this year it looks like being a very tightly fought season. Forest Hill are the standouts for mine, only a kick away last year and have recruited well. Coldstream will jump up the ladder as will Kilsyth. But we expect improvement from all the 4th Division clubs this year, so we look forward to seeing how we sit amongst them at seasons end.