By Josh Ward.
Both the senior men’s and women’s sides of Coldstream will be looking to build on finals appearances this coming season in Division 3.
The Cougars men’s side made it to the second week of finals, winning their first final since 2005 in the process.
Last year’s playing coach in Jarrod Bayliss has departed for Corio, with his assistant coach, Matthew Johnson, stepping into the role.
Completing his apprenticeship under both Bayliss and Chad Rogers since 2021, Johnson says it’s been a good experience so far having more responsibility.
“You have to put in a lot more time and effort than when you were an assistant, you want to get your own message across as well,” Johnson said.
“We’ve definitely focused a lot more on our younger guys as well as our fitness and bringing in a new game plan and structure.”
Fitness has been a particular focus in Johnson’s first preseason as head coach, saying there’s been a fitness block at every training session so far.
“We’ve averaged from 8.5 to 10.5 kilometres per night. All different types and styles of running as well.”
Majority of the group has re-signed. However Jeremy Conte has left for Bayswater whilst Team of the Year member Brock Castree has also returned to South Australia.
“We’ve had a couple of handy recruits Jarrod Healy and Jarrod Voss from Montrose, who has been pretty handy and he’ll probably get an opportunity to play senior footy with us.
Healy, who played all but one year of his junior career with Coldstream, returns after stints at the senior level with Lilydale originally, Rowville then Templestowe.
“To get him back and get him in our group has been really good for us, everyone’s enjoying him being at the club too.”
Johnson’s focus on youth has seen players such as Liam Hetherton and Josh Powell become more prepared for senior footy.
“We’ve had a young core the last couple of years that needed to develop, we need our pathway and our next leaders to be there.
“Obviously you’ve got the Darcy Carrigan’s and the Lauchlan Craig’s around, but they won’t be around forever. We need another group and we’ve put a bit of time and effort into those (young) guys.”
And with its young group developing, retaining majority of last year’s list plus its two handy inclusions (to date), Johnson is looking to continue building a fortress at Coldstream whilst also snaring a few more wins on the road.
“We play three of the first four away (now) so if we can sneak a couple of those early it’s going to set us up later (in the year).
“We’re not the finished product, we want to come home a bit stronger, which we didn't do last year. Still want to make our home ground and then work our battles away as well.”
The Cougars kick off their season a week earlier than the rest of the competition with their Round 9 matchup against Silvan away from home.
“We get along with them great as a club, we always have intense battles on the field but we really enjoy and have respect for each other off it.
“We’ll be playing for the Brett Hartman Cup and we’ll do as best as we can to win it.”
Coldstream’s senior women’s side will come into this year following a strong 2024 which saw them make their first ever Grand Final.
Matt Coghlan will resume as head coach for a second season, saying that it's been a strong turnout throughout the preseason.
“We’ve got some new additions to the side who’ve made a real positive impact on the playing group,” Coghaln said.
“It’s a lot different to the last preseason where it was teaching the fundamentals of the game…now we’ve been able to scaffold that to the next level and then move into game style and transition a little bit sooner than we did last year.”
Among its recruits include ex-Chirnside Park quintet Chantelle Underwood, Ella Herrmann, Sally Lake, Katie Hamilton and Jessica Provan, the latter of the five returning to the field this coming season.
“They bring a different dimension in terms of football experience, playing in higher divisions.
“It’s been really important adding that to the dynamic of our group, to help us elevate to where we want to be longer term.”
They’ve also added some youth by bringing in Taleesha O’Kane from Montrose along with Chloe Morris from Norwood’s Under 18s program.
“We knew we had some players entering the later stages of their career, we’re not necessarily but recognising the fact they probably won’t be there in five, even 10 years time.
“We had a really big focus on creating some sustainability among the group and that means you have to have different age graphics within the profile of your list.”
The majority of last year’s playing group has re-signed, with players such as Georgia Byrne and Holly Duke impressing on the track.
“Byrne has had a fantastic offseason, she’s someone who is probably going to spend more time around the midfield.
“Duke is one who’s really benefited from continuity of practice, she looks like she’s in for another really positive season.”
Byrne was one of a few to first play last year during the course of the season alongside Baylee Eastham, the returning Maddy Stark and Marika Kamoda.
“Being able to get a body of work in during the preseason allows them to hit the ground running from the start of the season. That means more minutes on the field, more ability to impact the play.”
Whilst they’ve had a strong offseason in terms of recruiting and retention, Coghlan’s main goal is for the group to continue improving.
“Ultimately I want two objectives - number one I want each player to be a better player than they were at the start of the season by the end of it.
“And number two is I want the team to be playing good, cohesive football not just necessarily from the start of the season but consistently throughout the year.”
Coldstream’s women’s side kick off their season with a matchup at home against one of the division’s newcomers in Chirnside Park.
“I think that all teams are looking forward to getting back on the park and we’re no different. (We’re keen to) put into practice what we’ve been working really hard on over the preseason.”