23 DAYS TO GO | EFNL Media will be previewing each club ahead of the 2020 season with the #InFocus2020 series, all thanks to Yarra Valley Water & Choose Tap.
By: Davis Harrigan
IT was not to be in 2019; Bayswater bowed out in the first week of finals, but coach Tom Roach is managing expectations and ready to make another tilt at going all the way in 2020.
Roach enters his second season at the helm at Bayswater, and there is a true focus to hone in and demonstrate determination to go the next step, using finals as a motivation and becoming a team that is able to create significant opportunities at both ends of the ground – especially in front of goals.
“It would be nice to win at least one final this year given we missed out last year. We felt we were a chance last year to push and at least make the grand final,” Roach said.
“One of our main focuses will be to try and put a bit more score on the board, and last year defensively I think our numbers showed that we were really strong, we were the second-best in defence in terms of points scored against.”
It starts with an approach to getting the elements right at training, and Roach is keen to impart a drive on fitness as the season edges closer, bringing another dimension into the team in an effort to go for finals again.
“Fitness has been something I’ve prided myself on the last 10-15 years, and I think it’s something I’ve tried to bring into Bayswater, which means we’ve had a really strong pre-season in terms of our fitness work,” Roach said of the work that’s being put in.
“It’s a real credit the team has taken on the advice and got themselves to a level where they look a lot fitter, and the ball’s moving around a lot better at training, and I’m really impressed by the way we’re looking.”
Bayswater has seen Wayne McInerney depart to Ferntree Gully, but they’ve been brought in several great recruits, including Wayne’s brother, Scott, who brings with him premiership experience.
“Wayne kicked a lot of our score last year and been a good player for Bayswater over the last five to six years; however Scott’s decided to come back, we’ll be happy to get him back, and he’ll play down back,” Roach said.
“We’ve also got Dave Eddy back who’s looking really fit; key to his game is to stay on the park, he’s had a few issues with injuries but training really well at the moment.”
In addition, Roach is also keen on bringing in players from the under-19s side as part of development and experience for 2020.
“Last year we played five under-19s, which was a big help for their development, and we have a good bunch coming through. It’s about building from within, and we have a lot that may play senior footy this year,” Roach mentioned.
“Three out of our top four in the best-and-fairest were under 21, so for us the young ones will definitely take us forward. Kurt Lopo and Ben White are absolute guns and can only get better.”
Roach described the foundation laid in Bayswater’s defensive game in 2019, and will endeavour to increase that a notch further this year. He cited this bucked the trend of previous club sides, and stressed it would compensate for not having a primary ruckman.
“Last year we really worked on the defensive side of the game; Bayswater teams of old would roll the dice and wanted to get forward of the footy, and without a dominant ruckman that makes it a bit hard for us,” he said.
“We became one of the better defensive teams, and we haven’t recruited a ruckman. For us, it’s all about setting up the structures behind the footy and give us the chance to score the other way.
“Without Wayne up forward, we’ll have to have a different dimension to find a way to score.”
Challenges come with plenty of barriers and walls to overcome and knock down.
For Courtney Anderson, who will step into the women’s senior coach role, the biggest challenge is a list of fresh faces, building everything from the ground up.
While Anderson was part of the club’s 2017 premiership, coaching is certainly breaking new ground.
“It’s a brand new team and a new experience for myself as I’ve never coached before, and starting from scratch,” Anderson said.
“It does excite me, but a lot haven’t played before, so it’s a good starting point for myself.”
Anderson has found a lot of support from within, including the committee and staff.
The club approached her asking if she would take the step up – and it’s been taken on with a lot of pride and enthusiasm, despite the hurdles that are in the way, such as unpredictability with the amount of players before the season starts.
“We did start later for pre-season, but we’re currently struggling with players and numbers, so it’s been pretty hard as I don’t know how many numbers I’m going to get at training, so there’s not too much planning at this stage,” Anderson said.
“Bayswater was one of the first (women’s clubs) around, we won a flag in 2017; it would be a real shame to see Bayswater not have a women’s team, but I am positive we will.”
Finding the best fit and position for all the new players is still a work in progress, one that may be a long-term prospect, but once again shows the work Anderson is determined to put in in an effort to make everything cohesive.
“A lot of them haven’t played, and we’re still teaching them how to kick a footy,” she said.
“I’ll have to figure out where their strengths are, so it’s too tough to call at this stage.”
Looking forward, there is a willingness to get out there and work with a new group, but it’s also about personal development and understanding for Anderson as she delves deeper into her new role.
Initially unsure at first, the coaching aspect and position has become something Anderson has embraced since being asked.
“From this season, I want to learn as a coach, interact with the players and gain their respect,” she said.
“From there, all I want to do is set some goals, doing the smaller ones each week, and work on season goals and individual goals; my main goal will be to go out there each week and have some fun.”
Bayswater begins its season away to Mooroolbark on Saturday, April 4, while the women’s fixtures are set to be released at a later date.
