STRONGER pre-season numbers should have the Warrack Eagles well and truly prepared to improve in 2018 according to senior coach Ryan McKenzie.
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He said the numbers on track had allowed his side to work on more game structures than it had in his previous two seasons at the helm.
“We’ve really enjoyed that because it has made it easy to do things you want to do rather than the old school running around the outside of the oval,” he said.
“There was a lot of time spent on things that we’ll actually use in games.”
The side will need to cover the losses of key midfielder Kieran Ellis as well as the big-bodied Jesse Murphy and Scott Adams.
McKenzie said Travis Lawson, recruited from Lindelow in the East Gippsland Football League, would help cover the losses of the big men while the return of Nick and Jake Peters would prove pivotal as well.
“Jeremy Clayton will pinch hit for us here and there as well which everyone is very excited about,” he said.
The team made it through to the preliminary final in 2017 before being overrun by Minyip-Murtoa in the fourth quarter. McKenzie said his side would attack in a similar fashion this season.
“We’ve lost some height but bought in some good runners,” he said.
“We felt last year we were good when we moved the ball and we’ve only added more run.”
Q and A with Ryan McKenzie
Who has set themselves for a big season?
Brett Boyle is one that played most senior games last season but he’s done a few triathlons over summer and is now extremely fit. He looks to be the main improver.
Are then any young players who will take the step up?
Connor Inkster is one that has surprised a few and it will be his first season out of under-17s and it will also be Clayton Jardine’s first year out.
Have you kept an eye on what has happened at other clubs?
I think it’s a good idea to do some homework on the new players. If they’ve come from a league I’ve got contacts in I’ll ask a little bit about them before we run into them.