PENOLA Football Club’s intense preseason training starts this month after a few weeks off over the Christmas and new year period.
A Grade coach Matthew Tilby put his footballers through a few light sessions before the end of year, but will kick off his full training program on January 17.
With the team somewhat settled for 2018 and plenty of local young talent in the mix, Tilby is excited for what the future holds.
“All the blokes who live locally have signed again, including Simon Berkefeld,” he said.
“We have also signed Matt Berkefeld.
“At this stage we are focusing on some good juniors who are coming through, as well as some guys in the Reserves who have not had much of an opportunity in the last couple of years.”
Talented juniors such as Harry Porter, Jacob Robbie and Sam Gartner will be in contention for a regular senior position, while Reserve players Justin Mansell, Will Clayfield, Dylan Walker and Tom Clayfied will also be up for selection.
“Hopefully these guys can step up and cement a position in the A Grade,” Tilby said.
The former Reserves premiership coach said he was happy with the team he has on paper, but with points still remaining he would not rule out making changes.
“If an opportunity arises I will definitely pursue it, but in saying that I am extremely happy with what we have got,” he said.
“I am just hoping to see continued development from the players, in particular the young guys and the blokes who have played a lot of Reserves footy.
“But in saying that, it will be important to see our better players improve as well.
“I really hope I can have an influence on all of the guys.”
While others are recruiting from the state’s capital, Penola is focused on growing its local talent.
“We have a really strong nucleus of guys here,” Tilby said.
“The fact that we are not going to have a car load coming from Adelaide is obviously a challenge because most other teams do.
“But I believe all of us training throughout the year and putting in a solid preseason together has its benefits.”
The low-key approach to the beginning of preseason has seen 40 footballers test their fitness and refresh their skills before the festive break.
Tilby said the trainings were a starting point to give the players an idea on how 2018 will run.
The seniors will start off training two nights in January, before adding a short skills session each Friday throughout February.
They will then taper back to two sessions a week in March and prepare for a few trial games before the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara football season kicks off in April.
“I try to incorporate as much of the football as I can to keep it interesting for the boys because not many of them just like going running,” he said.
“It will be a lot of match simulation type of training, rather than A to B drills with cones.
“My aim is to get the guys to think and train the way they are going to play.
“There was a lot of excitement around the boys in the first few trainings and we are looking forward to the season and doing a bit of hard work before it kicking off.”
