The Calder Cannons have shown some positive signs in the NAB League boys season.
With a competition wide by due to the long weekend and representative football, the Cannons will regroup ahead of the back half of the season.
Cannons coach Ross Smith said they had seen some signs of improvement. After seven rounds, the Cannons sit in ninth with three wins.
“We were going alright before last weekend,” Smith said.
“We’re on the improve, but sometimes with teams it can be a couple of steps forward and then a couple of steps backwards.
“We had a pretty tough start against some of the powerhouses. We then had two good weeks on the road against the [Northern] Knights and the [Bendigo] Pioneers.
“We were easily beaten by Oakleigh on the weekend. We have played them four times this year including in practice matches.”
Smith said they had given plenty of opportunities to the young talent coming through, with a real mix of 17, 18 and 19-year-olds.
A few younger ones who have been part of the under-16 side, will start training with the older age and get their chance to play.
Smith said Paul Pascu had been the standout so far for the side, playing predominantly midfield.
He said Rye Penny were both in the Vic Metro squad to face Vic Country on the weekends in a trial game.
“They started with 16 and now up to 30,” Smith said early last week. “They will increase to 50 to 52 so they have enough to fill two sides.
“We could see another one or two added. It’s an opportunity to potentially see how they go at that level.”
There’s a number of players across different ages that have impressed Smith.
Jamieson Jarvis, a top age player, has had a good season, while Declan Willmore has played a different role pushing up onto the wing.
Dane Whitnall has really improved in the last few weeks, while 17-year-olds Kade Mueller and Mahmour Thaha are showing good signs.
Jordan Croft is another who has impressed Smith.
In good signs for the Cannons, six players have also been named in the under-16 Vic Metro side.
Patrick Said, Nash King, Harry O’Farrell, Isaac Kako, Jayden Nguyen and Damon Hollow were named in the squad that was to play on the weekend, after deadline.
Smith said after not having much football the last couple of years, that age group had started behind the eight ball.
He said some would likely play in the under-19 team before the season is out.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “We’ve already got six to eight kids training with the under-19 squad. I reckon we’ll have at least five players in the game on Saturday.”
Smith said the break gave the opportunity to reset after a front ended start to the season.
“Then we’ll be back in it for another seven to eight weeks before the wildcard round.”
