It has been a hectic but enjoyable preseason for new Greenvale Kangaroos coach Stan Nell.
Nell, an assistant at the club last season, stepped up into the top role after Steve Maddocks decided not to renew his contract.
“We are two-thirds through the preseason and just five to six weeks off our first game,” Nell said last week.
“I did a bit of research last year and I knew Steve was likely to be only going to be there one more year, so I joined the club as an assistant and decided I would apply for the senior role when it was vacant.
“It’s been pretty hectic with a lot of organising.”
Nell said a big focus of his was to continue pushing to get local talent.
“Cricket Victoria wanted to develop cricket in this area and Bruce [Kent, Greenvale president] is keen on giving local guys a go.
“I did some research and discovered 21 players either living in the area or driving past the club to go and play with other Premier clubs, which is disappointing
“We are look to build the club up.”
Nell said the club was developing a good pool of local young players.
“I reckon I have 21 players between 15-18 years old who will play two’s, three’s and four’s this season.
“In three years time they will all be in age group from 18-21 and likely be playing one’s and two’s at the club.
“I’m not sure whether any of them will play one’s this year that will be based on performance.
“We want to make sure we have a good structure and they come up on form.”
Nell said the club had kept the basis of their senior team from last year.
“We only lost one player [besides the international players] in captain James Lidgett which was disappointing and we told him that.
“The rest of the team has stayed at the club.”
The club will again have two Papua New Guinea players in the side including Lega Siaka.
“The two PNG boys who played last year will not be coming back. We have an agreement with the board for two more to join us.
“Lega is on a scholarship from PNG and a national player who could not get a game in the firsts at Essendon late in the season.
“He played in the Prime Minister’s 11 [earlier this year] and PNG asked if we could take him to help further his development.”
The club looks set to sign a Sri Lankan player with the Sri Lankan board keen to send a player out.
“We’ll likely have three overseas players and the rest will be local.”
Jack Rhodes comes across from premier side Essendon, while former Footscray Edgewater player Sam Crea is also joining the club.
“Jack Rhodes played premier firsts for Essendon in its grand final year in 2013-14 before being dropped during the finals.
“He played seconds last year and still has that desire to play in the firsts.
“He sees this as an opportunity and is a fantastic young fellow who is really committed.
“Sam is in England at the moment and asked about opportunities.
“We’ve said to him we will give him a go, but haven’t committed to which side he would play in.”
Nell said they would announce the new captain in about three weeks time.
