Tara Murray
Whittlesea will play an exciting brand of football this year in the Northern Football League division 1.
The Eagles, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, after they changed coaches midway through the year, are this year being led by Wayne Van Der Ross.
Van Der Ross said they were keen to get out there and show what they can do,
“It has been a long pre-season and we’re looking forward to the challenge against Montmorency,’ he said.
“The pre-season has been good in terms of learning a new game plan, a new game style and things that we have brought into the club.
“The boys have learned everything and played three practice matches to implement those things.”
Van Der Ross said they were keen to have an exciting brand of football this season, while still aspiring to have a defensive mindset.
He said they would look to move the ball quickly through the middle of the ground.
“This year there will be a lot of young kids coming through the senior team and a lot of opportunities for the talented young kids at the club.
“It is really exciting. Riley Powell, Harry Beattie, Ethan Mann, Harrison Lehner and Harrison Draper are some of them.”
While the Eagles will have a lot of youth on field, they’re also added some experience to the list.
Eagles premiership player Matt Dornauf returns to the club. He brings Victorian Football League experience and Van Der Ross said his leadership had been really valuable.
The other big recruit is ruck Thomas Flood, who has previously played at Macleod and been a key player for Manningham in the Victorian Amateur Football League.
Van Der Ross said he would compliment their midfield.
The new coach said the club and the committee had been sensational since day one and making sure he had everything he needs.
On field, he’s hoping it’s the start of becoming a long term division 1 team.
“We want to be competitive this year,” he said. “We want to consolidate our spot.
“We haven’t set a target of how many wins or making finals. I’ve said to the boys anything can happen and we have the expectation to win.
“We don’t want to go our there and accept honourable losses. We want growth and development and be a really good division 1 club.”
