A ruckman and key position defender are at the top of the wishlist for Altona this Western Region Football League off-season.
The Vikings were the surprise packet of the 2015 division 1 season, winning eight games and qualifying for finals.
But in order to take the next step, incoming coach Saade Ghazi believes filling both key position roles is vital.
“We were 8-8 before the finals this year so there’s definitely a lot to work with,” he said. “Having said that, we need to add a couple of senior players to the group.
“During the year we beat Hoppers Crossing [third] and Werribee Districts [second], which shows that on our day we can do it. We probably just need to get consistency, and a little bit of help in those roles would be great.”
As an early boost, Altona has confirmed premiership player Joel Magnabosco will return to the club in 2016.
Magnabosco, a former Altona junior, played 20 games in the Vikings’ 2012 premiership year and was named among the club’s best players on eight occasions.
Altona will focus on youth for the remainder of its improvement.
Ghazi, who took over the top job last month, looks the ideal candidate to guide the impressive young talent to the next step. He’s a previous best and fairest winner in the VFL and a member of Williamstown’s team of the century.
“I think I’ll be able to put a program in place where there will be player improvement,” Ghazi said.
“I’m going in with an open mind. I want the players to know that so they can show me what they have.
“After our three or four top players we think we’re very even, which is great for the club.”
Altona will begin pre-season training next month.
