29 DAYS TO GO | EFL Media will be previewing each club ahead of the 2018 season with the #InFocus2018 series, all thanks to Yarra Valley Water & Choose Tap.
By: Steve White
Twitter: @StephenWhite83
It was a case of missed it by that much for Scoresby in 2017.
The Magpies turned on a nine-game winning streak entering the finals, only to be stopped by eventual runners-up Heathmont who were on a late season surge of their own, in their first post-season outing.
It was a disappointing end to the season for the club, who had high hopes of being promoted into Division 2 heading into last September.
The Magpies have consigned last season to the books and are hard at work on the 2018 quest for the premiership.
Scoresby has managed to retain most of its 2017 list, with best and fairest winner Wade McConnon, leading goal-kicker Nathan Hicks and Ben Bronsgeest among the cavalry returning for the 2018 campaign.
This season also sees a slew of former Magpies returning to the nest.
David Evans-Marcius returns to the club after departing at the end of the 2013 season for East Ringwood. He’s joined by returning Ex-Magpies Brad Jones, Brenton Legg and 2017 East Ringwood skipper Owen Chadwick.
All were part of Scoresby’s last venture into grand final territory in 2011 and are eager to take the club back into the heights of Division 2.
They’re also joined by another ex-Magpie Cal McConnon who has spent his last two active seasons at Vermont.
In addition is fellow Eagle Paul Chadwick and also Jake Ryall who departed Scoresby for Rowville and has been there since 2012.
The returning experience is something seniors coach Scott Goldsworthy holds above all else.
“The return of those players is absolutely huge for the club,” Goldsworthy said.
“These are guys I last played with at Scoresby and went through finals campaigns with, so it means a lot to have these guys back at the club.
“It’s also a case of unfinished business for these guys. They’ve been playing a lot of senior and Division 1 footy since those grand finals in 2010 and 2011 and they’re hungry to bring a premiership back to the club.”
Goldsworthy says the club’s off-season recruitment focus was on bringing added experience and leadership to the playing group.
“Our off-season recruiting strategy was targeted at the 25-30 age bracket and bringing that experience back to the club, particularly in terms of developing the young guys and the guys that have come up from the under 19s,” he said.
“I think we’ve done well so far to find that balance.”
With finals footy priority number one for Scoresby this season, Division 3 looks to be another tight one – a sentiment Goldsworthy echoes.
“I’d say Ringwood and Heathmont are going to be our strongest competitors this season,” Goldsworthy said.
“There’s also a fair few teams in that 3-6 bracket such as Templestowe and the Basin that will be in amongst it, so it’s going to be a very competitive season of footy in Division 3.”
Scoresby has two preseason hit-outs against Rye and last season’s Division 3 premiers Park Orchards prior to kicking off its 2018 season and there’s been plenty of hard work at the Magpies at training.
“The guys that have come back to the club have been really committed and focused during the pre-season,” Goldsworthy said.
“I’m also really impressed with the commitment and work ethic in training from the guys that have come up from the under-19s.
“Guys that came up to seniors last season like Mitch Walker, Jack Paravicini and Josh Du Vallon have all really impressed me during training and are showing they are hungry for success this year.”
Scoresby opens its 2018 season against Chirnside Park at Kimberley Reserve on April 7.
