Trevor Jackson
AS with all other sides in the Western Border Football League, changes have been made at East Gambier Football Club leading up to Round 1 of the season this week.
The senior side boasts two coaches, with Keith Ransom and Jake Dowdy sharing the duties.
That is a new scenario for both coaches, but something Ransom said is working well so far.
“Jake is experienced enough and has been around coaching for a while,” he said.
“We have set some goals between us and he is on board with all that.
“I have said before (two coaches) doesn’t work unless you have the right people.
“I have known Jake for a long time and when we sat down and had a good chat, he is fully onboard with everything, so it is working really well.”
Players losses such as Garrett Ha and 2022 league best and fairest Jayden Eldridge are just two who are sure to leave a hole in the Bulldogs’ line-up.
However, the inclusion of Dowdy to the playing group, along with Austin Jones, Lachlan Brooker and Reece Lillecrap is sure to go a long way to filling those gaps.
Along with the recruits, Ransom said the plan to promote and develop juniors is a major focus, which has seen a good turnout on the training track.
“I think we are in a lot better shape than last year, with good numbers for pre-season training and concentrating on junior development,” he said.
“We have invited about 14 of the young lads over the course of the pre-season to train with the seniors and they are getting a lot out of it.
“In the first round we will look to include Jarvi Mee, Noah Gollan, Will Ellis and Sam Couldrey.
“I think if any club wants to survive these days, they need to promote the juniors.
“That is what we are all about this season.
“I don’t care if they win or lose games, it is about getting a kick of the footy and development.”
However, Ransom conceded wins were an important piece of the puzzle, providing the development goes hand-in-hand.
“I want the club to be a lot stronger in everything they do and be a lot more competitive,” he said.
“You won’t know until after the first full round where you stand – once you play everyone once you know exactly where you stand and I hope to have more wins than losses.
“But we want to build an environment the young lads are happy to come to.
“So far it is working – all the young ones are really happy with the involvement we have had with them and I think it can build for the future.”
How the changes affect the results remains to be seen but the Bulldogs will certainly be put to the test Saturday night, as they host the reigning premiers Millicent at the Kennel.
“We played some good pre-season trial games against Koroit and Hamilton,” Ransom said.
“I was impressed with the way the blokes went about it.
“Millicent won a premiership last season and we finished bottom, so it is a huge stepping stone to have a crack at the league leaders.”
The game is pencilled in as a night game, with kick off at 5pm.
Ransom said he hopes for a good crowd on what he expects to be a good night of football.
“If the weather sticks around it will be a good night,” he said.
“We will make sure the fires are stoked and hope everyone comes along for a look.
“Bring on Round 1.”
