It’s a bit of an unknown group for the Calder Cannons in the Coates Talent League boys season.
After having a heavy top age group last season, with four players being drafted, more of the Cannons list is bottom aged this season.
Cannons coach Sam Willatt said it was a really exciting group they had put together.
“Last year we were top age heavy, this year we have over 50 per cent bottom age,” he said. “It gives scope for more opportunity to play more games in their bottom age.
“We’re a little bit of an unknown for us in the season with this group.”
The Cannons have started the season with two wins from their last three matches, with their loss to Northern Knights a close one in their last game.
Willatt said the start had been a real positive one.
“The result on the weekend didn’t go our way,” he said. “Overall the first three games have been positive from a team perspective.
“There have been some positive performances for us and sets some players up for the metro trials.”
While the Cannons are a bit of an unknown this season, there’s plenty of players who are already stepping up.
Cooper Duff-Tytler has been the name out of the Cannons on everyone’s mouths.
Willatt said the top draft prospect has benefited from having a full pre-season with the Cannons.
“It’s been a massive help,” he said. “It’s the first full football pre-season that he has ever done.
“He’s done a body of work to really set him up. It will only help him.”
Hussein El Achkar has kicked 10 goals in three matches and has been a star up forward.
Adam Sweid, who returned late last season from an ACL injury, has had some really good growth early in the season, while co-captains Jackson Barber and Hamish Bird have had good starts to the season.
Duff-Tytler, El Achkar and Felix Kneipp were named in the Vic Metro under-18 summer hub.
Willatt is hoping that a few more will join them in Metro contention, over the Easter weekend and following weekend.
He said while metro does help with getting drafted, the group only has to look at the experiences of the four draftees from last year.
“Hopefully a few guys will be added to the squad after the trial games,” he said. “Even if they miss out, they can look at Pat Said, who missed out on trials and the squad and everything and still got drafted.
“There’s a different perspective. They’re under a lot of pressure with year 12 and if they make or miss the squad.
After two weeks of metro trials, the Cannons will hit the road with trips against Bendigo Pioneers, Dandenong Stingrays and Geelong.
