29 DAYS TO GO | EFL Media will be previewing each club ahead of the 2019 season with the #InFocus2019 series, all thanks to Yarra Valley Water & Choose Tap.
By: Daniel Cencic
PRE-SEASON at Silvan has seen a shake-up under senior playing-coach Trent Martin.
An identified need for bigger bodies and an emphasis on contested ball has driven the Cats’ preparation for 2019, as the club looks to better its six wins and ninth-placed finish to 2018 in Division 4.
“Fitness was a bit of an issue last year, but at the same time we needed bigger bodies because there’s a lot of small ovals in our comp,” Martin said.
“There’s a fine line between getting fit, running players but the reality is our ovals are tiny and Mitcham, (Walker Park) where the finals are, is tiny.
“We try to get the fitness to a good level but more contested footy is what we’ve focussed on this year.
“Now I know what’s involved and what the ovals are, we’ve gone to a more contested, physical pre-season I’d suggest.”
Headlining the recruits at the Cats this off-season is four-time 1116 Division 2 Team of the Year member and ex-Mooroolbark defender, Trent Georgiou.
The 30-year-old has played the entirety of his 13-year senior career at the Mustangs and will bolster the Cats’ backline according to Martin.
Georgiou in action for Mooroolbark. PHOTO: Mooroolbark Footy Club Facebook page.
“Trent Georgiou has been the premier defender in the higher levels of Division 2 for a long time and I can see him playing a similar role here in cutting down those big forwards that every team seems to have,” Martin said.
Adding spark and pace to the Cats’ attack is small forward, Ryan Emmett.
The 35-year-old joins Silvan after two seasons with Stanhope in the Kyabram District Football Netball League, after spending the previous six at Kyabram. Emmett also had a stint with East Brighton in the Southern league in 2012.
Emmett booted 31 majors from 16 appearances last season, including a haul of 11 against Ardmona.
Emmett chases an errant ball during his time with Kyabram. PHOTO: Shepparton News
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Leigh Kimpton crosses over from Croydon after playing all senior matches last season and is joined by 23-year-old Lachie Hampton in pursuit of more opportunities at senior level.
Darcy Turnbull has transferred from North Ringwood and returns to footy after a season off, Harry Stevens joins the club from Lilydale while Joel Treeby joins from Mooroolbark.
“When I got up there (to Silvan as coach) last year, I said it’d be a few years before we got this club back on track,” Martin said.
“I reckon coaching’s half a popularity contest and half ability, and I guess in the time I’ve been involved I’ve been able to make a few mates.
“They’ve come up for a kick with us which is going to be great.”
Martin made a commitment 12 months ago to bring enjoyment back into footy at the Cats.
A year on, and the Silvan mentor is thrilled with the buy-in to his philosophy at the club.
“I stayed true to that right through the season last year,” Martin said.
“We got hammered early and we were one (win) and nine (losses) and we re-signed all the coaches and the players already so the enjoyment was there and it was just taking a bit longer than we thought to gel.
“Silvan’s only a town of 300 people, so everyone who gets up there, from all over the place, you tell them all to become mates all in one hit (and) that was unrealistic to happen in nine weeks.
“We definitely had a lot of fun last year, but now it’s about having fun and success and I reckon with the recruits we’ve brought in, we’re pretty confident we’ll be able to do that.”
Martin played 16 senior matches last season and is keen to continue this year.
“I’m 33 and coming back to fourth division has helped me but I’ll just keep playing until I can’t or until I’m getting rings run around me by the 18-year-old kids coming through,” he said.
“I feel like I’m still contributing, the club want me to play, and while I still can because you’re a long time retired.”
Outside the retirement of Chris Murphy, Silvan has retained its playing list heading into its 2019 campaign, as Martin eyes a return to the finals.
“Our biggest thing last year was to retain the list and then add to it. As bad a year as we started with, and by the end of it, everyone we wanted to keep, we retained and we added to it,” Martin said.
“’Murph’ was pretty clear in saying it was his last year, other than that, we’ve been really happy with what we’ve recruited.
“We’re aiming for finals but we’re realistic that we did finish towards the bottom last year.
“I think we’ve realistically got a list to play finals and it’s just a matter of how quick we can gel together.”
Silvan begins its season when it takes on Fairpark away on Saturday, April 13, following a bye in Round 1.