WITH the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League 2019 season set to kick off tomorrow, Penola’s A Grade side is raring to go.
A solid pre-season has seen the Eagles with added personnel, juniors rising through the ranks and the development of young players continue on.
However, it is always tough to prepare for game one.
For Penola head coach Matt Tilby it is no different.
“We prepare for the opening round with minimal focus on the opposition,” he said.
“We respect the opposition, but at the same time we are confident in what we have put in place, plus the fitness and skill level we are at.
“Lucindale will have some good players and we respect that, but I want to be really focused on what we are doing, stick to our team structure, our team rules and that will hold us in good stead.”
With a solid pre-season which has seen big numbers on the training track, Tilby said that game structure had come together well.
“We train a certain way which is reflective of the way we want to play,” he said.
“It is very uncomplicated.
“I want the players to use their natural flair and ability without having to over-think it.
“I think when there is too much unnatural thought, mistakes creep in and it is not enjoyable.
“I keep it really basic and they know the rules I have in place and the disciplines required.
“After they can roll and play their natural brand of footy.”
Tilby said his back six would hold up well this season, with Brad Maney headlining defence at full-back.
Maney made the team of the year last season and will team up with Alex Moore at centre-half-back, who Tilby said was one of the best in the league.
“They are really solid in the spine,” he said.
“Jacob Pfitzner is a fantastic running defender and a couple of young fellows have put their hands up to hopefully play back there – Harry Porter and Jesse Martin – who played some senior footy while still in the Under 17s last year.
“We have some back-up plans with guys like Brad Bryant slipping across half back, or Scotty Merrett.
“We have a bit of depth going across there and will have to make some adjustments, but I feel confident we have a solid back six.”
Likewise Tilby was happy with the depth in the mid-field, which includes the likes of Simon Berkefeld, Scott Merrett, Matt Merrett and Brock Egan.
“The list goes on,” Tilby said.
“We have Jordy Galpin to come back, then guys like Matty Berkefeld, Dylan Walker and Daniel Hackwill who all played through there last year as well.
“Our mid-field depth is fantastic, so it is just a matter of getting the right balance.”
Brad Merrett will be a focal point up forward, along with Matt Merrett, pushing forward through the middle, depending on his commitments with the Crows in the SANFL.
Adam Merrett may also pull on the boots this weekend to play a deep forward role, to add to the firepower in front of the big sticks.
For Tilby, it provides a versatile roster which he can chop and change to suit his needs on any given day.
“We have guys who would be desperate to start on the ball, but because we have good depth there, some may start on a flank or somewhere else then change onto the ball,” he said.
“We are all in with the team mentality, so that will be how we roll.”
Tilby’s main goal for the opening clash is simple.
“I want to see the discipline in the guys, whether we can do what we set out to do,” Matt Tilby said.
“Lucindale will be no easy beats – they are always good opposition.
“I am certainly not going in thinking we have them covered.
“We will have to play at our best to be competitive.
“I think as a coach all you want out of the guys is to follow your instruction, attack the footy hard in the contest and stick to what we need to do.”
The advantage of the home ground means little in the scheme of things, but from the townsfolk themselves, Tilby expects a lot of support.
“We have a good supporter base,” he said.
“I think there is a genuine excitement about the guys we have brought in and the young kids coming through.
“The community does get behind the footy.
“The oval is in fantastic condition and we have the new AFL goal posts in, which is quite a spectacle in itself.
“We are expecting a really good turnout.
“There is certainly a buzz around the place.”
