By Josh Ward.
There’s high hopes at Silvan Recreation Reserve that the Cats can build on a promising end to an injury-riddled 2024 season.
Having had a fresh start under new coach Jeremy Thomas, Silvan finished ninth in Division Three with five wins by the end of the season.
Thomas returns for a second season as the Cats head coach, saying that they learnt many lessons heading into this offseason and the coming season.
“It was a rewarding year, we put a lot of effort in and built a good foundation last year,” Thomas said.
“Going into this year we really think we know a lot more about what we need to move forward and to have more success.”
This has seen a much more targeted recruiting approach from the Cats unlike last year where they were able to create more depth in their ranks.
“Our spine (in particular) got slaughtered last year with injury, so that’s been our focus to get some more big boys in that’ll fill some of those spots.”
Players set to strengthen the spine include Tom Edge and Cameron Blease, with Blease coming off a solid season with Heathmont and Edge returning to the footy field having last played with East Ringwood in 2023.
2022 premiership captain Matteo D’Alfonso has returned after a season with South Belgrave. Garrison Asciak has also signed following a Best and Fairest season with VAFA Division 2 club Aquinas.
Chris Niclasen is also set to add more midfield depth having crossed from Seville, with other signings such as Jake Styles, Jarrod Fowkes and Harry Piper all set to make a return to footy this season.
“With most of them there’s connections, (players like) Chris Niclasen have come across with mates from Seville, Tom Edge is friends with Garrison Asciack and our captains….
“All the guys that we’ve brought through the door are good blokes, age profiles are fairly similar, most of them are in their early 20s.”
On top of their recruiting retention has also been solid, with the majority of last year’s playing group re-signing.
A mixture of their re-signed players and recruits have also impressed on the track, including co-captain Matthew Low, Liam Choucri and Matthew Butera as well as Asciak, D’Alfonso and Blease.
“(Low) was injured for half of last year and played off one leg, but still had a half-decent year. He’s really stood out on the track.
“Guys like Asciak and D’Alfonso, they’ve taken training to a whole new level. Cameron Blease also gives us a whole new look, he’s an elite athlete/ruckman.
“Liam Choucri’s training has gone to another level and he’s mates with Asciak and Edge, these guys are running together outside of footy…they’ve been amazing.
“Butera’s a very consistent, reliable guy that turns up every single week and does his job off a half back flank, his training standards are elite as well.”
With their solid recruiting, as well as a strong retention rate, Thomas believes the side is good enough to play finals and scare a few teams.
“We want to play good enough footy and immerse all the new faces to the team and get the guys working together.
“I think we’ve got the talent there to have a better season than last year, but (we’re looking) to hit finals and try to do some damage there.”