Tara Murray
Kyneton is backing in the next generation in the Bendigo Football League this season.
The Tigers haven’t focused on recruiting outside players to top up their squad, instead keen to give opportunities to the players already at the club.
Tigers president Hayden Evans had season launched pumped to get started.
“The senior men we’re happy with where we are sitting,” he said.
“We’ve got Ethan Forman back from Gisborne and we’re looking to provide some young guys with more opportunities.
“We want as many Kyneton people as possible.”
Evans said they had managed to keep most of the guys who had come to the club last season, along with the rest of their existing player list.
Frazer Driscoll departs after just one season and will be a big loss. The other big out is Rhys Magin.
Magin kicked 75 goals last season, having dominated the midfield for a number of years.
Evans said you can’t replace someone like Magin.
“We’re disappointed that he has left,” he said.”We’re hoping that some young guys will step up to fill their shoes.
“We feel like our 18s are stronger and for the first time we have both under-17s and under-18s at the club.
“Ethan is coaching them [18s] and we’re really happy with that.”
Bailey McGee, Ben Cameron, who is on Coburg’s Victorian Football League list, Hamish Yunghanns and Caleb Fisher are some of the young guys that Evans is expecting to step up even further.
He said he was also keen to see Foreman back out there.”
After just missing out on finals last season on percentage, Evans said the focus was to continue on building this season.
“A healthy list the whole way will help,” he said.
“A few less injuries and being competitive every week are the club’s goals. Finals, we’ll cross that path when we get to it, but we would like to play finals.”
Kyneton starts its season this Saturday against Golden Square.
