By Josh Ward.
Excitement surrounds Hughes Park as the KangaRams look to build on a promising 2024.
Last season saw the KangaRams claim four wins throughout the season, their equal-best season (in terms of wins) since their inaugural season in 2019.
The back half of the season saw much improvement, taking it right up to finalists Kilsyth, Chirnside Park and Whitehorse whilst defeating Forest Hill and Nunawading, the latter by 140 points in the final round of the year.
Senior men’s coach Ben Oakes says there’s been plenty of hunger amongst the playing group throughout the preseason.
“For us it’s about building on (the back end of last year),” Oakes said.
“If we can continue that momentum into the start of the season there’s no reason why we can’t take a few of those games that we lost by 10 points or under and hopefully win a few of those games.”
Those results have led to a different recruiting approach for the KangaRams compared to previous years, with seven recruits announced so far this offseason.
Among those recruits is five time premiership forward Leigh Odermatt who comes across after kicking 54 goals in 33 matches for division and local rivals Chirnside Park across 2023 and 2024.
Oakes says the playing group is going to benefit from having someone like Odermatt educate them both on and off the field.
“Players like Daniel Butera and Jacob Crowe have had to take the brunt of our forward entries over the last two years, they get some help in the form of a league legend so to speak.”
Ex-Nunawading forward Konrad Bendrups is also set to provide extra firepower up forward following 43 goals in 29 matches across the last two seasons with Nunawading.
Inside midfielder Lewis Mitchell has also signed from VAFA club Old Yarra Cobras while their youth is further boosted with the signings of Ryan Smeed, Caylem Bateson, Nathan Hinton and Cody Wake.
Ex-Team of the Year member Sam Currie has also returned after a year away from footy whilst Grattan Stephens and Paul Blight have also signed on as ruck and midfield coach respectively.
“The addition of all these guys is going to help our group be competitive and win games. But 90% of the improvement needs to come from within.
“The existing group of 23-year-olds need to improve, and they’ve done that, they’ve come back fitter, stronger, older and more mature.”
Among the current group of players who’ve come back hungrier this preseason according to Oakes includes Crowe, Lachlan Poli and Mitchell Court.
“I’d say out of our best 22 from last year, 18 have come back fresh and raring to go.
“The improvement’s there, the endeavour’s there. We just have to put it out onto the field (this year).”
And with their current group improving, as well as their recruiting, Oakes isn’t putting any lid on where the KangaRams can finish this season.
“Everyone plays footy to win games and everyone wants to play finals and we’re absolutely no different.
“We want to take a big step forward which is why we’ve gone out and recruited Leigh Odermatt, Konrad Bendrups, Lewis Mitchell and everyone else.”
Meanwhile the KangaRams women’s program will be looking to build on a season which saw them compete well in a highly competitive Division 3 competition.
The 2022 Division 3 Minor Premiers are currently looking for players to join the women’s side this coming season.