Like a kid in the lead-up to Christmas day, Yarraville-Seddon coach Dean Callaway is counting down the sleeps until the start of the Western Region Football League division 2 season.
Callaway will get to unwrap his prized recruits while his team gets a chance to prove its worthiness to be in the same conversation going on about some of its rivals.
“All the talk around the league is about Caroline Springs and North Footscray and that’s fine, but we know what we’ve got in our yard and we’re pretty confident we can match it,” Callaway said.
“We’re in for an exciting year. The boys are hanging out for the season to start.”
The Eagles will face embattled West Footscray in their season opener.
The Roosters have struggled for numbers this season and their short-term future was only assured after a committee meeting last week.
“I feel for the club,” Callaway said. “My brother used to play there as a junior … it’s disappointing the way it’s happened to them.”
But once 2.15pm comes on April 9, Yarraville-Seddon cannot afford to show any mercy.
The Eagles might claim to be bigger, stronger and fitter than last season, and they may have had a preseason that ran like clockwork, but a host of fresh faces means there will be a period of adjustment will be required.
“We’ve had a really solid pre-season, the guys are super fit and the players we’ve picked up are big bodied,” Callaway said.
“But in our last practice game, out of last year’s side we had six players and 14 new faces, so I don’t think we’ll start jelling and hit our straps until about round four.”
The Eagles have bolstered their stocks with proven leaders.
With the club embarking on a three-to-four year plan to be a self-servicing division one side, it needed some mature heads.
“We’ve got to keep building with our youth,” Callaway said. “Some experienced players will help to bring these young guys on.”
The club had no hesitation handing Lachie Longmire a playing assistant coaching role.
The nephew of Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has not put a foot wrong since his arrival from Corowa-Rutherglen.
“He’s been around – he’s a 30 year old, but he’s a personal trainer, so he’s very fit and looks after himself,” Callaway said.
“His leadership ability on the ground can’t be questioned … he’ll be an outstanding footballer for us.”
A perfect fit for player and club was Macauley Goring, who arrives from Callaway’s former club, Sunshine Kangaroos.
Goring, a versatile player who can play onball or on the half-forward or half-back lines, is hunting a premiership and was sold on the potential of the Eagles.
“His voice at training and his leadership has been real good and that’s what we want because we’re a young group,” Callaway said.
Ben McCrorey, an onballer from the Tuggeranong Hawks in the AFL Canberra competition, and Mason Angove, a ruckman from the Caulfield Bears, will bolster the Eagles’ midfield.
The Eagles are awaiting clearances for Shane Weatherley, Ryan Cornish and Matt Taylor, all formerly of Werribee Centrals.
