Youth will again be the key for Riddell in the Riddell District Football League this season.
The Bombers, last year’s minor premiers, surprised many when their young side won 10 games straight during the season.
But while they bowed out in straight sets in the finals, the signs were good.
New coach Jamie Elliott said this year’s side was likely to be even younger.
“We want to give kids coming through opportunities to play senior football,” said Elliott, who was assistant coach at Sunbury Lions last year.
“There have been a lot of under-18s training every night and the likes of Matthew Panuccio, James Evans, Brandon Wilson and Lachlan Henson will play senior football this season.”
The Bombers have also added more talent to the squad.
Ben Said and Michael and Stephen Treweek have come across from Sunbury Lions, Ben Sonogan and Scott and Tim Walsh have joined from Gisborne, while Stephen Long and Guy Cilauro have moved from Westmeadows.
The club has added a few talented younger players too, including Michael Sahlberg, brother of Bowen medallist Paul, and Essendon District Football League under-18.5 division 1 best and fairest winner Ben Nelson.
Elliott is all praise for Sonogan, who is playing assistant coach this season.
“He has been exceptional with the fitness side of things,” he said.
“I don’t think he has been an assistant before. He’s a local boy coming back and he’s relishing the role.”
On the other side of things, the Bombers have lost Matt Darby, Ethan Foreman, Jeremy Krojos and Ben Peters.
Darby is still training with Essendon’s VFL side.
“We’ve lost him for sure as he’s nominated an EDFL side as his home side,” Elliott said.
On his return to the senior coaching role, Elliott said he loved being back at the helm of a footy club.
“It’s been good and I’m really enjoying it. I love teaching kids,” he said.
“The last two years I sat back and did a bit under Rick [Horwood, Sunbury Lions coach]. It has given me a new lease of life.”
The Bombers kick off their season against Diggers Rest at 2pm on April 16.
