Tara Murray
Rupertswood is aiming to build on its first season in the Essendon District Football League division 1.
The Sharks were sitting ninth when the season ended early due to the pandemic with two wins, but had been close in a number of other games.
Coach Arron Bray said the side was in a pretty good spot at this stage of the pre-season.
“We’re going alright,” he said. “We lost a couple in Luke Sultana and Paddy Scanlon, but we’ve picked up seven or eight along the way.
“Last year we were a very young group. We’ve looked to add a bit of experience.”
Among those joining the club are Zak Saad, Brock Landt, Ben Said and Shaun Stewart, who are also expected to add some experience to the side.
Bray said while they had signed a number of players, they would also get a number of players back from injury.
The returns of players like Dylan Podolczak and Lochie Muir, who played two games between them last season, are set to make a difference.
Bray said between new players, players returning and those returning after missing through injury, there would likely be 12 to 13 players coming into the senior side.
He said he thought their first season in a new league was OK and was something that could build on this year. The Sharks were in a lot of games until three quarter time.
“We were unlucky in a few games,” he said.
“We went bull at a gate instead of slowing down and playing two pace football. The guys will learn from that.
“We also debuted 14 players in 11 games, which was the most important thing for myself and the club.
“A number of under-18s got the chance at a higher level and will be better for it.”
Bray said the likes of Jordan Tentonello, Alex Misiti, Jackson Pranauskas and Jesse Harris were ones who really stood up when given opportunities last season.
He said someone like Harris wasn’t expected to play seniors, but thrived when he got the chance.
Bray said having had 12 months in the EDFL would also benefit the side going forward.
“A lot of the senior guys got to have a look at it [the league] for the first time as well,” he said.
“If we had come over with our premiership side, we would have been up there.
“This year, we’re aiming for the top four with the squad that we have.”
Bray, who is in his second season at the club, said they had also put things in place on the coaching side to make it easier for him.
“We’ve got a high performance guy to look after the fitness side of things and give me a chance to watch players individually a bit more.
“It takes the pressure off me. Most of the players are covering close to 70 kilometres a month.”
The Sharks will kick off their season on April 2 against Airport West.
