FOR new coach Tim Inkster, this season will be all about trying new things and seeing what works with a strong side at Jeparit-Rainbow.
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There will be some expectations on the side to perform this year after making the preliminary final last season.
Inkster said he hoped to see more improvement from the within the group and hoped the addition of some new recruits would bolster the side’s stocks.
“Hopefully we will see some improvement from the locals and can add a bit more depth with new recruits,” he said.
The side will have to cover some important players who could miss most of the season due to injury.
“Jayden Werner will miss most if not all of the season and he is a huge loss,” Inkster said.
“Simon Clugston is in the same boat and there are a couple more with injuries.”
Despite that, the Storm should have a good season and have added a big name in Daniel Batson as a playing-assistant coach.
Batson has joined the club from Nhill alongside his brother Wayne. The former AFL rookie-listed player will be a versatile tall forward and ruckman and will be more than handy.
“Daniel has been terrific so far. As the year progresses he will take on a lot and is keen to do as much as I want,” Inkster said.
Finals should be a realistic goal for Inkster and his team at Jeparit-Rainbow, but time will tell if they will be able to cover their injuries.
“Finals are definitely the goal, we don’t want to go backwards. We were a fair way off the top two last year,” Inkster said.
The Storm takes on Taylors Lake away from home to start its season on April 7.
Q and A with Tim Inkster
Who are you most excited to see?
We have a couple of lads coming from Adelaide, which should be good to watch. I’m excited to see what they can bring to the club. Jakob Cocks too, is a young guy who played a fair bit of senior football last year. I’m interested to see his development.
What are you expecting from the league this season?
I think it will be a more even competition. The Giants are obviously gone, Harrow-Balmoral have lost a few but they probably have enough players to cover that as well.
What urged you to take on the role?
I’d been in contact with the club for a few years. I sat out last year and thought it might be good to try something different, so I came up to Jeparit-Rainbow.