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NEW coach, new players, returning players – this could be the winning formula for the Waverley Blues as they strive to make Division 2 finals in 2013.
Image courtesy of the EFL website (www.efl.org.au)
After finishing 2012 in eighth position with only five wins, the Blues have worked incredibly hard over the off-season in order to position themselves for a good year on-field.
The acquisition of 400-plus game coach Brett Davidson was the first excellent move during the break.
Davidson has already made a positive impact on the club.
He says the players have revelled in the opportunity to show a new pair of eyes exactly what they are made of.
‘The players are all excited about the situation in most cases and they’re trying to prove themselves,’ he said.
‘There’s been a real enthusiasm at the club. Our numbers have been fantastic.’
Davidson has also brought new assistant coach Alan Love to the club.
Both men are after the basics: improvement and getting the most out of their side.
‘This year is all about learning what I’m about, learning how the style of football I like should be played, getting a bit fitter than what they have been and hopefully just winning the games that they should have won last year,’ Davidson said.
‘It’s been four years now in second division and we probably haven’t performed to the levels we wanted to.
‘We have to be better than what we were on-field last year. Basically that’s the only expectation the club’s got.’
The Blues have welcomed a handful of new players.
Nat Martin and Nathan McCulloch have come across from North Hobart, while the additions of Jason Gardner (Pearcedale), James Smith (Nar Nar Goon) and Stuart Brooke (East Kimberley Football League) have been welcomed.
Another positive factor for the club has been the handful of players who have returned to Mount Waverley Reserve.
John Hindson, Beau Rawlyk, Ryan Tily, Jacob Bailey and Michael Millier are all set to run out on the field for the Blues again in 2013.
Club President Gavin Kaye says the addition of these men is invaluable, as the group includes three Team of the Decade players and a few club Best and Fairest winners. And they all have excellent leadership skills.
Kaye also highlighted the return of playing assistant coach Chris McCarty from an ACL injury he sustained during the 2012 pre-season.
‘We’ve basically picked up four or five very, very good recruits just from these guys returning from overseas travels,’ he said.
‘Provided they pick it up again quite quickly, they’re going to make a pretty big difference to our side.’
Kaye is delighted with the club’s new senior coach, stating that Davidson is exactly what the club has been looking for.
‘We wanted a teacher, someone who could really develop what we already had,’ he said.
‘Brett has been excellent. He’s a perfect fit for us as a club.
‘All that I’ve heard from all the players has been extremely positive about the coaches.’
All these new factors will come together for the Blues when they front up against Upper Ferntree Gully in Round 1.
This season could certainly be a new beginning for Waverley – but Davidson is not looking too far ahead.
‘It’s the old cliché: one week at a time,’ he said.
Davidson will lead his new men in their first match of the home and away season at Kings Park on 13 April.
Maddi Vantarakis 