Left: Doveton Eagles coach Paul Davis said a premiership was possible next season and is looking forward to sitting down and talking to all of his senior players.By Glen Atwell
NEWLY appointed Doveton Eagles coach Paul Davis says he is ready to take the Southern Football League division three side to premiership victory next season.
The long-time captain, first-time coach recently returned home from a holiday in Canada to be bombarded with rumours that a number of Eagle players had left the Power Road nest in search of greener pastures.
But Davis said he was not worried by the talk around town.
“As far as I know, no Eagles player has signed anywhere else,” he said. “Our players are required by the club and I’d hope they’ll come down and have a chat with us before making any decisions.”
However, as reported in the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette this week, star Eagles forward Corrie Wilson has already been strongly linked to Ellinbank and District Football League club Nyora. Wilson, the 2004 league best and fairest, joins Eagle teammates Ben Hughes, Russell Weeding |and Roger Lumanovski as players with doubts over |their future with the club.
Club president Craig Price said he wasn’t worried that a number of Eagles were training with other clubs who had already begun pre-season work.
“I’m very confident that these players will return to the club when our pre-season commences,” he said. “It’s normal for players to do this with mates at other clubs to help retain their fitness.
“The club is very happy with the current set-up and we’re looking forward to settling down and focusing on a successful season next year.”
Davis said he was more than ready to take on the coaching position after the club decided not to reappoint Paul Wilson, who guided the senior side to a minor premiership this year.
“Some players did not particularly like Wilson’s coaching style,” he said. “It wasn’t about being too hard, I’ve been trained harder.”
Unfortunately for the Eagles, talented full-forward Travis Gardner will miss the majority of next season after having his knee reconstructed.
Gardner said he was injured in the second semi-final against the Moorabbin Kangaroos and would only play a handful of games next year.
“I’ve told the club I’ll be available by about round 16 or 17,” he said.
