Tara Murray
Thomastown doesn’t just want to play finals in the Northern Football League division 2 this season, the Bears want to be matching it with the best week in, week out.
New Bears coach Peter Bugden has had his playing group work hard in the off season as it tries to take the next step.
“In my point of view, we have flatlined since we got into division 2,” he said. “We’ve finished fifth and just got in, or finished fourth and been competitive for quarters but not whole games.
“My aim is to play finals, not just fill a spot in the finals.
“In my view we have to be competitive for four quarters and beat the best teams.”
A lot of work has been done to get the players stronger and fitter both mentally and physically in the off season.
Bugden said the playing group had committed and were keen to have success.
It’s been a summer of change for the Bears with more than 50 people coming into the club as either players or coaches.
Bugden said it was really exciting as they had implemented some strategies and changed up the game plan.
“It’s been a big pre-season and nice to get into the real stuff,” he said.
“It’s the first time in 12 years we’ve had under-19s which is a huge achievement for the club.
“It’s been a really good pre-season, the numbers have gone through the roof. In the football department there have been 52 new people come in, as players and coaches.
“It’s a pretty big turnaround in playing group numbers from last year.”
The senior squad will be strengthened with some key additions joining the club in the off season.
Ash Hood has joined the club from Fitzroy Stars, where he finished third in the club’s best and fairest last year.
Jude Georgievski, who is on the Northern Knights list, is also a national long jump champion.
Thomas Wilson, another with an athlete background, who is returning to the sport, having played juniors at South Morang.
Makka Zakkour has won a couple of premierships with West Preston Lakeside, Matt Morison, who was part of Bundoora’s reserves premiership last year, Mernda duo Josh Mazzarella and Anthony Bradford, and Bill Samie are the other key signings.
Bugden said several of those players would make their debut for the club in round one. He said despite the changes they were expecting to start the season well and hopefully with a few wins early on.
The Bears were set to start their season on Good Friday against Epping, which was after deadline.
Speaking before the game, Bugden said it was a day they were looking forward to what should be a big day.
