James Murphy
MILLICENT’s A Grade football side concluded the Western Border Football League with a historic three-peat.
Now in the dawn of a new era for Limestone Coast football and netball, the Saints will enter the 2024 LCFNL season with a clean slate.
Tom Renzi takes the reins as head coach this season but he stated the transition had been seamless after working closely with Clint Gallio in 2023 prior to the latter’s departure to Mount Burr.
Renzi said his Saints were itching for Round 1 and he was eager to put a good pre-season into action.
“I am looking forward to it,” he said.
“I think everyone is hanging out for footy to start, obviously it has been on tv for a while now and the other leagues started last week.”
Renzi will put his own spin on the coaching role, but looked forward to building on what is a solid foundation.
“It has been good to implement a few things I wanted to do,” he said
“It has been a good transition.”
Aside from Gallio, tall forward/ruckman Sam Waring is the only other out of note, leaving Millicent with a strong core and plenty of talent.
Jaden Grosser is a handy pickup and should slot into the roster nicely.
“He is a young fella from Millicent, his dad is a life member and he will be back playing for us,” Renzi said.
“He won’t be back until a bit later in the year though, he is coming in off an injury.”
As it stands, Renzi was excited for how everything was shaping up.
“It is exciting with the group we have got and where we are going,” he said.
“We have been getting good numbers (at training) – the boys have been consistent and working well.
“I am looking forward to seeing what they can do when we actually start playing.”
Millicent is already a young group, but Renzi said there would be further opportunity given to some of the future stars of the club this season.
The Saints head to Island Park for Round 1 to face Casterton Sandford.
“Sometimes it is good to do these trips away together nice and early,” Renzi said.
“As good as it is to start at home, it is also good to get away and venture out.
“We have been on the same training track for the last 15 weeks now, so it is good to go somewhere else.
“I am looking forward to Casterton.”
