LEITCHVILLE/GUNBOWER’S campaign to secure its first Heathcote District Football Netball League premiership begins on Tuesday, with the Bombers to begin their pre-season training at Leitchville.
Matt Hawken will coach the side for a third successive season, having guided the team to the past two HDFNL grand finals.
The Bombers have lost to North Bendigo in the past two deciders – a factor that could see league bosses select a grand final rematch at Leitchville as a season opener on April 8.
“We have put the disappointment of the 2016 grand final loss behind us and moved forward with our planning for 2017,” Hawken said.
“We have 11 players out of the successful under 17 premiership side stepping up into senior football, and a key part of my role and the other coaches is preparing these boys to play consistent senior football.
“They boys have commenced strength and conditioning programs and we expect three or four boys to be involved in the TAC Cup pre-season.”
Assisting Hawken in 2017 will be new recruit, Michael Pilcher, who will be the club stalwart’s right-hand man.
The 28-year-old ruckman played in Strathfieldsaye’s 2014 and 2015 Bendigo Football Netball League premiership victories, and will boost the Bombers’ crop of tall key position players.
Former local Matt Pollock, who played 150 games at Goulburn Valley Football League side, Echuca, will oversee the midfield, with Ryan Prendergast (development and defense) and Ayden Walton (forward) to look after the other two thirds of the ground.
“We’re really looking for the playing group to take on the added responsibility of getting the best out of each other as we look for a top-three finish in 2017,” Hawken said.
Joel Donehue will also return to the club after playing with Echuca for the past two seasons, with Hawken predicting Jack Dye and Daniel Coates – who missed the Bombers’ 20-point grand final loss to the Bulldogs – to have a major impact in 2017.
The new recruits will replace the retiring Jye Keath and Kieran Treacy, with Drew Bartram (development role at Cairns), Tom German (Mansfield), Brendan Meroli (Glenroy) and Bart Walsh (St Mary’s) playing elsewhere next season.
“Our list remains very stable and the group is determined to improve on a consistent 2016 season,” Hawken said.
“We will finalise our list over the next fortnight with significant interest from a host of former players in returning to the Bombers for season 2017.”
