Develop and grow the list … that’s the aim for East Sunbury in the Essendon District Football League this season.
After winning only one game in its first two seasons in division 2, the Thunder showed significant improvement by winning four games last season.
Thunder coach Steve Grey says the aim this time around is to double the number of wins.
“We’re looking to win seven or eight and it’s already looking promising,” he said last week.
“There are lots of numbers and lots of kids on the [training] track, which is good to see.”
While developing their young playing group, the Thunder has been busy in the off-season, adding experience and strength, and submitting 25 clearances for players to join the club.
The biggest signing so far for the Thunder is Dylan Tarczon.
The talented midfielder, who played with Calder Cannons last season, has moved across from Ballarat Football League side Sunbury Lions.
But Grey isn’t expecting Tarczon to play much for the Thunder because of VFL commitments with Coburg.
“If he isn’t playing with Coburg he will play for us,” Grey said. “We’ll be lucky if we get him for four to six games. When he does play, he’ll help out in the midfield.’’
Thunder’s 2014 best-and-fairest winner Lucas Shaw returns to the club after one season with Sunbury Lions, while other signings include Neil Johnson, Jack Sheckelton, Josh Shalders and Thomas Galea.
Galea and Shalders will provide size and targets up forward, while Johnson is expected to play on a flank.
“Neil used to be at Lancefield and played a bit of juniors at Gisborne. He’s only 21-22,” Grey said.
“Josh has friends at the club. He’s a ruck, centre-half forward, who adds size.”
Grey says several of those players who were looking to come across to the club would play in the under-18 side.
“We need to build our junior base in the next couple of years and start getting games and experience into them,” he said. “Normally we have about 19 or 20 under-18 players at training, but we’ve got 27 to 28 so it’s building nicely.”
Thunder kicks off its season against Burnside Heights on April 9.
