FIRST-YEAR Rupanyup senior coach Jack Musgrove will bring a further three NTFL St Mary’s players to the club this season to add to his squad’s depth.
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Denny Musgrove, Zac Robinson and Chris Parris will join the side as it looks to move up the ladder in 2018. They will join coach Musgrove and Hugh McMurtrie who will be in their second season at the club.
Coach Musgrove said he was wary of bringing too many players down from the Northern Territory to play but knew that bringing a group rather than just one was beneficial.
“For me and Hugh last season it was tough for us in the first couple of rounds,” he said.
“The blokes at Rupanyup are absolutely amazing, and will make everyone feel at home by the end of the first round, but if you already know a couple of blokes it helps as well.”
The five players will move to Horsham during the season rather than travelling to and from the Northern Territory each week.
Coach Musgrove said the decision will do more than save the club money on flights.
“It means we are all training together to make sure that team chemistry remains high,” he said.
Denny, who played two games for Rupanyup in 2017, will likely play an outside role on a wing while Robinson will run off the half-back line and Parris will often be at the bottom of packs feeding the ball out.
“They’ll add a fair bit for us and add the required depth to the side,” coach Musgrove said.
“There will be a bit more competition for spots.”
Elliot Kelly is also set to join the club from Latrobe University Football Club. Former Ruapnyup juniors David South and Campbell Matthews will rejoin the squad along with former coach David Lang.
Club president Rod Weidemann said it was always great to welcome new and returning players to the club.
“Langy had a year off with a groin issue last season but he’s got himself back on track,” he said.
“Having these more experienced players in the squad makes it easier for us to blood our juniors without them getting hammered.”
Coach Musgrove said he wanted his team to play with a different style this season.
“The biggest adjustment you have to make coming south is to the pace of the game,” Musgrove said.
“In the Northern Territory everything is just play on whereas down south there is a lot more structure and contested football.
“I’m hoping to bring that kind of game where we play on a lot more in order to use our speed outside the contest.”
