Above: Doveton Eagles star Corrie Wilson will play a crucial role in the Eagles team this year.IT could be rags to riches for the Parkmore Pirates in season 2006.
Club saviour Richard Houston has signed a number of recruits, none bigger than ex-Doveton full-forward Danny Casset.
Former Dandenong Demons coach Gary Connolly has boarded the Pirates’ ship as assistant coach.
And Connolly did not leave alone, recruiting former Demon Jayde Handfield to the club.
Connolly said he wasn’t expecting miracles, but aimed to play finals football.
“The club hasn’t won a game for two years, so just getting a win on the board would be a success,” he said.
Houston has promised more big-name recruits to be announced before the round one clash with Sandown Cobras.
A NEW team name and new recruits have the Sandown Cobras eagerly anticipating the SFL division three clash against Parkmore Pirates on 8 April.
The former Southern Cobras finished seventh on the ladder last year after a torrent of injuries plagued key players.
Senior coach Stephen Jasiak said the club had progressed well over the summer.
“We decided to rename to the Sandown Cobras, that was an important step for us,” he said.
“The local residents can now feel a part of the team.”
Preseason training numbers have exceeded 30, allowing the team to develop set plays.
“This time last year we had about eight players at training. This week there was 35,” Jasiak said.
“In terms of being able to coach and develop strategies, having numbers at training is crucial.”
The increased turnout should translate into on-field success, according to the coach.
“We have the luxury of selecting the players who come to training, and our entire list is fit and injury-free,” he said.
Recruits William Merrim, Matthew Vale and Daniel Macklin have bolstered the Cobras’ line-up.
“We’ve also picked up three players from the Vietnamese national side.”
Jasiak said the round one game against the Pirates would answer many questions.
“There are 14,000 rumours circulating about Parkmore – will Casset play or won’t he?” he said.A NEW coach and new culture could see the Dandenong Demons threaten the finals this season.
The Demons signed Mick Hawken as senior coach, replacing Gary Connolly, who accepted an assistant coaching position at Parkmore Pirates.
Reserves coach Joel Duggan will be attempting to lead the second side to its fourth consecutive grand final.
But unlike last season, Hawken said the top-tier reserve players would be aiming to play senior football.
“We’ve had an unusual situation the last few years,” he said. “Our reserves have been very strong but the seniors have been ordinary. The players must want to step up and the coaches have to push the players to play senior football. It’s a fine balance.”
New recruit Stephen Coats from Lyndale will add depth to the Demons’ side, but several of last year’s drawcards could be in doubt. Goal-kicker Sean Payne is training elsewhere and speedy mid-fielder Simon Nicolosi has yet to commit to another season at the Demons.
Exciting midfielder Jayde Handfield has also departed the club and signed with Parkmore Pirates.
The Demons face the tough task of travelling to Cerberus to play the navy boys in round one.
THE Eagles spent most of last season perched on top of the division three ladder, but nose-dived straight out of the finals.
An end-of-season boardroom coup saw coach Paul Wilson replaced by club legend Paul Davis.
With the Moorabbin Kangaroos promoted to division two, the Doveton Eagles should enjoy smooth sailing on top of the ladder for most of the season.
But whether the side can convert another impressive home and away season into premiership success remains the big question. Midfielder Corey Wilson and defender Ben Hughes will both play crucial roles in the side’s success.
The Eagles play league newcomers Skye at Power Reserve in round one.
SPRINGVALE Districts president Doug Pearce said it was a good sign when he had trouble recognising players at preseason training.
It means in an area notorious for recruitment troubles, the Demons have attracted a number of new talents. Stephen Hughes has replaced Tony Cooper as coach and the side is aiming to play finals football.
“Stephen comes to us after spending all his career at Noble Park,” Pearce said.
“He has been a great addition, and brought a number of new players with him.”
Warren Mills, Mark Riley, Adam Nichols and Nigel Scott – all from Noble Park – are capable of playing key positions.
The new recruits should fill the hole created by the loss of last year’s captain, Jason Hall, to Cora Lynn.
Darin ‘Bigshow’ Joyce has put in a stellar preseason, according to Pearce.
“Joyce is in the best shape I have ever seen,” he said. The Demons play Lyndale in the round one local derby at Springvale Reserve.
A DISAPPOINTING result in 2005 will provide the motivation for the Lyndale Pumas this season.
Under new coach Danny Scott, the Pumas aim to break back into finals contention. Scott said numbers were good and anticipation surrounding the Pumas’ round one clash with Springvale was growing.
“We’re looking forward to the season. We’ve picked up some great recruits,” he said.
Former Devon Meadows player Matt Timmerman and former Doveton player Jamie Ngyoune headline the recruitment list.
Ex-Doveton Eagles midfielder Russell Weeding also joins Lyndale after following new assistant coach Paul Wilson to the Pumas. Scott expects the round one local derby at Barry Powell Reserve to set the standard for the season.
“I’m expecting Springvale to be a benchmark in division two,” he said.
