MAZENOD Old Collegians Football Club has hit the ground running since moving grounds at the start of this season.
After 18 years of playing at Central Reserve South Oval, the club made the move to the North Oval to share with Richmond Cricket Club in the new, multimillion-dollar facility.
Since moving in this February, Mazenod has not looked back, with only one loss so far this Victorian Amateur Football Association section C season.
The team has put the disappointment of the 2012 preliminary final loss behind it and is playing winning football.
Club president Steve Paolucci said the start to the year was positive for all parts of the club.
“The move to the North Oval has really helped unite the club community,” Paolucci said.
“Last Saturday we had our annual Founders Day match, and to see hundreds of people packed into the rooms was a great sight.
“Our new rooms provide the players with a great facility and the fans with a terrific spot to watch the game.
“Everyone has really got behind the club following the move and it has flowed down to some great form on field as well.”
Mazenod has been boosted by the recruiting of former AFL star Heath Black and Gus Patti and Michael Johnson from Casey Scorpions.
“Heath has really brought some fantastic leadership to the club,” Paolucci said.
“Having these guys who have played at a higher level, it really sets the standard for the rest of the club.”
In addition to the seniors, the rest of the club has also enjoyed a great start to the year. The reserves are entrenched in the top four and the thirds sit on top of their ladder.
The under-19 program is also booming, after making the step up to division 2 this season.
“The club has managed to get a really strong squad of 35 players and there is genuine excitement about the under-19s at the moment,” Paolucci said.
“We see the future of our club running around each week and we can all feel that there are some exciting times to come.”
