by Chris Yeend, Macedon Ranges Guardian
Romsey Football Netball Club took to the park for the final training session of 2013 on Wednesday night ahead of the 2014 Riddell District Football Netball League season. The Redbacks held an intra-club match and unveiled some of their latest recruits on a warm night for football. The club revealed 10 new recruits with many of them showing off their skills in front of a solid crowd at Romsey Park.
"It was good to have a watch and see who can play where," senior football coach, Dean Helmers, said, "We used a lot of rotations and it was good to see what happened when they were under pressure."
Star recruit, Wally Saad, was the star on the night with five goals and Phil Lobb played a strong role at centre half-forward, taking plenty of marks and setting up teammates further down the ground. Despite the warm conditions and the fact that it was an intra-club match, the standard of football was very high. Steve Burlak was strong at centre half-back, David Broos, Ryan Connellan and Dermot Smythe enjoyed stints in the ruck, while Ash McNaughton, Brad Mitchell and Danny Harrison showed poise in the midfield. Players were well drilled with their forward 50 entries, using the corridor confidently and maintaining possession very well. Shannon Green spoke with members of the group and displayed great leadership.
"They're playing really good footy at the moment, it is a real exciting group," Helmers said, "It will be very tough for spots next year."
Helmers enjoyed a different role with the club this year, spending more time in the crowd, observing matches away from a coaching perspective and mingling more with the locals. He believes he has an exciting list that will reward the supporters for their ongoing support.
The midfield will be very strong led by Brad Mitchell, Shannon Green, Ash McNaughton, Shaun Austin and Dermot Smythe. Chris Petroro has signed with the club and will play out the entire year after breaking ties with the Northern Bullants in the Victorian Football League. Petroro is without a doubt the most exciting player in the competition to watch.
"We've shown him total respect from day one, he will well loved at the club and looking forward to the challenge," Helmers said.
Recruits, Luke Ryan and Nathan Rayment, have been added to the midfield that will further boost the strength. There are a number of players who have been training with Coburg in the VFL over the summer and the club encourages those players to seek as much fitness and expertise that they can and maximise their potential to the best level. Some will attempt to play games with the club and Romsey supports their ambitions.
Helmers has high hopes for the club, on and off the field. With a dominant team on the field, the Redbacks will work hard behind the scenes to be equally strong off it.
"The aim is to be the most financial club and be a club that others can aspire to," Helmers said.
Lever to miss season
Promising Romsey junior, Jake Lever, is set to miss most of or possibly the whole 2014 season with the Calder Cannons after injuring his knee during a training session with the AFL Academy at a camp in Queensland last week. Lever was doing just a standard drill when he went for a spoil and came down awkwardly on his knee. Scans have confirmed that he will require a full knee reconstruction. Despite the hurdle, the youngest ever Victorian Metro captain is expected to be drafted inside the top 10 in next year's NAB AFL Draft.
Last Modified on 17/12/2013 09:34