Tara Murray
Riddell has added some experience to its list as it aims to take the pressure of the younger guys in the Riddell District Football League.
The Bombers were sitting fourth last year when the season was called off, with the young brigade leading the way.
Bombers coach Justin Belleville said they were keen to help these players take the next step.
“I don’t think we were far off last year,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of young kids coming up from the under-19s. We had a lot of young kids who last year got a taste of senior football.
“With the experienced players coming back to do more of the heavy lifting it will help the younger players.”
Two former players are among the three key signings the club has announced so far.
Dylan Tarczon returns to the club, having last played for the Bombers in 2019.
Tarczon, who played two seasons at the club in his last stint, kicked 69 goals in the 2019 season to finish third in the goal kicking.
Belleville said he expected that Tarczon would play a different role this season.
“He’s a huge in for us,” he said. “He’s been around senior football for a long time.
“He’s that type of player we were lacking last year. We don’t need him up forward as much, he’ll be more around the ball.”
Matt Said also returns to the Bombers after a couple of years off. Mick Edwards is the third new signing, coming across from the Sunbury Lions in the Ballarat Football League.
Edwards played a number of roles for the Lions.
Belleville said there was still a few more signings to be announced, which would happen in the next couple of weeks.
On the other side, the Bombers have lost Matthew Panuccio and Jarryd Vernon to Gisborne, while Pat MacDonough is headed to the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
Belleville said things had started to pick up on the training track in recent times.
“We were struggling for thirds [under-19s] at the start,” he said. “It has picked up a lot the last few weeks and we’re getting plenty of players in.
“We’ll definitely have a team now. I think it was COVID, work commitments and cricket that stopped a lot early.
“All those factors and some guys are lazy and leave it until the last minute.
“Most nights now we’re getting 40 on the track.”
Belleville said they were aiming to be among the mix again this season.
The Bombers will start their season on April 2 in a twilight match at Macedon.
The two clubs will play for the PUKA UP Cup an annual round one day between the two clubs. The team that takes out the most wins across the whole day wins the cup.
The cup and day, which started in 2018, are about bringing awareness about mental health, something that is close to hearts of those at both clubs.
