Roxburgh Park footballers are enjoying getting out there and having a kick ahead of the 2021 Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
While officially sanctioned training hasn’t started, the Magpies, like many other clubs, have been keen to get back into it after a tough 2020 with no football due to COVID-19.
Magpies coach Michael Farrelly said everyone was just keen to get back out there.
“It’s just 50 mates having a kick of the footy,” he said.
“It has been hard to maintain the composure of all the boys, as they’re just so excited to see each other.
“They’ve missed footy for 12 months. It’s a community of mates that has banded together over the years.”
Farrelly said there were some good numbers for their first session, which he expected to continue to grow as the summer progresses.
He said the group they put together for the 2020 season is set to return this season with a couple of new players.
He admits it has been a bit of a challenge to keep within the lower salary cap and recruit players and keep the list together at the same time.
“We’ve managed it well and there are a few new faces,” he said.
“There’s the new recruits from last season that haven’t played. There’s seven or eight guys at least that are walk up starts in our side.
“It’s a real credit to those guys for hanging around. There’s a few guys that have taken the plunge to leave their current club and have a fresh start. It’s a gamble as you can’t just try out a pre-season.”
Trent Fisher, a premiership player with Glenroy is the big recruit so far. Brad Dimech, who tried to get cleared for last season and had been training with the club last pre-season, is officially returning.
Farrelly said they had a couple of guys returning from their premiership side and a couple of others looking at returning.
They are set to sign a couple of quality kids who would add to the side.
He said it was exciting to see that players want to come and join the club.
“It’s hard to maintain a list and character,” he said.
“Regardless of what players you have, it always takes character to push to the next level.
“People have seen what we did in 2019 and want to join the club and we are excited.”
The EDFL fixture is expected to be released this week.
Tara Murray
