Rupertswood’s momentum is continuing to grow ahead of a return to the Essendon District Football League division 1 competition next season.
After three straight finals wins saw the Sharks claim their first EDFL premiership in division 2, the club has been busy in the off season.
A number of new signings have been announced, many who are familiar names at Salesian College.
Sharks’ coach Brad Fox said the playing group that had stuck with the club during the hard times were the driving force behind the turnaround.
“They have really stood tall as a collective,” he said. “They have got really connected and there’s a strong culture.
“They’re not only staying together as a team, they want to get better and better.
“It’s really pleasing to have observed that the playing list has kept fit and not resting on their laurels.
“There’s increased hunger from what there was 12 months ago.”
Fox said for the playing group their first task was to get back into division 1, which they did in year one.
He said they weren’t content with that and were keen to try and get into premier division as fast as they could.
“There’s no ceiling and rules on what we can achieve,” he said. “We want to go as far as we can as fast as we can.
“There’s a good environment and standards in place.”
One of the first things Fox worked on when he came back to the club was getting the environment back to a good place.
A number of players had left at the end of 2023. Some returned this year, while more are set to be back on the field next year.
Fox said the hard work of not only the players, but their families and the committee had been behind the turnaround.
Sean Hetherington brings Victorian Football League experience. He had been playing at Maribyrnong Park in recent years.
Fox said he will help drive higher training standards and be a role model for others.
Luke Sultana returns for premier division side Airport West, while his brother Ethan is also returning to the club.
Nick Agnello, Ben Cannon, Ben Borg and Josh Ferraro are other former players who are returning.
Ferraro and Hetherington were part of the Sharks premiership team in 2019.
Harry Manders is another Rupertswood junior who has more recently played at Gisborne
Josh Mackie and Jarrod Ainsworth are other recruits.
Fox said they were still speaking to other players and said there was still one more significant signing to be announced.
The momentum is flowing through in the other sides at the club.
Hopes are high for the club to have an under-18.5 team back up and going.
“We had a session at the club and had 18 players who were able to attend,” he said. “It’s encouraging those numbers so early.
“We’re getting under-16s back up and runner. We had three under-14 sides and they are flowing through.
“It’s icing on the cake with senior players stepping up to take important coaching roles.”
