New Romsey coach Andrew Bubb has a couple of busy weeks ahead as he prepares for the Riddell District Football League season.
After being appointed just before Christmas, Bubb is at least a couple of months behind some other clubs in their planning.
“It’s a great challenge and I’m looking forward to it,” Bubb said last week.
“I’m a bit behind the eight ball with the late appointment. About half a dozen players have signed on and the next couple of weeks will be hard work seeing what everyone is doing.”
So far, the only confirmed departure from the reigning premiers is captain Steve Burlak, who has joined Rupertswood. Bubb isn’t a stranger to the Redbacks, having been assistant coach to Dean Helmers last season.
Before that he was at Essendon District Football League club Keilor Park and the Ballarat league’s Melton.
“I was Dean’s assistant last year and the next step was to take on the head role,” Bubb said.
“I put my hand up early on, but the club was waiting until the AGM before making a decision. There’s a good core of senior players who are locals, and that appealed me.”
Bubb, who moved to nearby Lancefield last year, said the growing number of junior players coming through the ranks was also a big part of his decision to take on the role.
Getting younger players into the side was a club focus last year.
“We want to play the kids and give them the experience of senior football,” Bubb said.
“We’re talking to a couple of kids who have left the club in the past couple of years to get them to come back.”
Despite the club coming off two successive flags, Bubb says he doesn’t feel massive expectations to make it three.
“There are some expectations, but at the same time there aren’t,” he said.
“After winning the past two years everyone wants to beat you, but there will be a lot of new kids in the side.”
While the club has appointed a senior coach, they are still on the lookout for a reserves coach.
Meanwhile, former Redbacks coach Helmers has joined Broadford for the coming season.
The Kangaroos announced that Helmers would come on board as co-coach with Aaron Bray.
Bray has coached the Kangaroos since 2013.
