With most clubs setting their 2014 goals before the season has begun, the Campbelltown Blues look to Round One and stop.
With a busy off-season of expansion and growth, the club awaits their Round One results before assessing where they sit amongst the rest of the competition.
With the signing of Dean Brogan and Gerrard Bennett, and their Under 19s squad putting the pressure on Premier Division selectors, it would be folly to ignore the Blues’ potential in the season ahead.
Having maintained the majority of their 2013 squad, there is a sense of continuity amongst the group who, says their Senior Coach Neil Brunton, have returned “a year wiser and a year stronger”.
Like other clubs, over the off and pre-seasons Campbelltown have been focusing on their fitness and strength, prior to the season proper.
“Our expectation is that we will have to build on our improvements from last year as this year’s competition will be very close and all clubs look like they will be stronger in 2014.”
In order to gain the advantage that 2013 lacked for the squad, Brunton is open about the Blues’ concentration on skill level, emphasis on key performance indicators for the whole team, and their efforts in injury prevention and rehabilitation programs
There is no doubt that the signing of the experienced duo of Dean Brogan and Gerrard Bennett allows for a Campbelltown confidence boost. However their coach sees this as no reason for complacency.
“We understand that our squad must work hard to develop as a team that will play good quality football with or without Dean and Gerrard, on the occasions when commitments or injury make them unavailable.”
More than an on-field lift, Brunton is excited for Brogan and Bennett to join the club for their pure love of the game. While undoubtedly experienced and highly skillful, the new Blues are said to be sharing their football knowledge with the young squad whose experience with the game is set to improve, on and off the field.
“From my perspective, the most pleasing thing that struck me about having these two footballers join our club is that they both just love to play football. Their enthusiasm to keep playing football and be part of the camaraderie that our club provides, speaks volumes about the quality of their character.”
“Our young squad [members] are sponges that are keen to learn from their experience. Dean and Gerrard will fit right in with our club culture that prides itself on honesty, mateship and resilience.”
Alongside the unquestionable capability of the new recruits, come the club’s Under 19s who are “training the house down” this pre-season, looking for selection in the senior side.
Naming Aiden Bell as the one to watch, Brunton has his eye cast over the team, looking to promote those who can make their mark amongst the experienced senior group.
“Luke Vella, Tim Trausch, Charlie Ford and Jordan Etto will also be keen to make an impact playing senior footy in 2014.”
After a complete pre-season, longtime clubman Shannon Kershaw continues his remarkable comeback from a potentially career-ending injury when he also lines up for the Campbelltown this year.
Match fit and ready for Round One, the Blues recognise that they have a fight on their hands this season. Naming it as one of the more even years in the recent history of the competition, Brunton acknowledges that many teams have sourced quality recruits, as well as worked on their depth since years before.
“North Shore and Pennant Hills are always contenders. St George, UTS, UNSW/ES and Wests have all recruited well and will be rating themselves as genuine contenders. Not to be discounted, Sydney Uni and Hills Eagles have improved their depth.”
Despite the acknowledgement of improvements across the board, Brunton believes that Manly-Warringah have earned the title of favourites coming into the 2014 season.
Continuing the clear growth of the club on field, the Blues are proud to be a key contributor to sport within their local community. Producing quality players, and people, is an aim of the club which has a long-standing history within the AFL Sydney competition.
Recognising the talent pool that the wider Campbelltown area is producing, the Blues are this year looking to foster their locally grown athletes. By nurturing the skills of young footballers and exposing them to the AFL culture, the Blues are aiming to make the pathway into AFL a favourable alternative to other codes popular within the area.
“In 2014 we will be establishing the Campbelltown Blues Development Squad for those juniors in the area not currently in the GWS Giants academy, but who are keen to receive the best coaching possible to help them take their game to the next level.”
“With the support of our local newspaper the MacArthur Advertiser and the influence of GWS Giants, Campbelltown AFC is working hard to raise the profile of AFL in the area.”
Reveling in their community support, Campbelltown will again be sponsored by Monarch Investments who have supported the club for over 20 years.
“In Sydney AFL there is no better example of long term support for its local community and loyalty to the Campbelltown AFC than Monarch.”
“In addition to Monarch, Campbelltown AFC is fortunate to have a number of new sponsors from the local area that have come on board since the start of last season including Mimic Design-Print, Macarthur Automotive, Active & Ethical Finance, BOQ (Bank of Queensland) and Argyle Physiotherapy Camden.”
A busier club than many, the Blues will also continue their association with Gaelic Football (GAA) and their Papua New Guinean scholarship program.
The Campbelltown Blues play the Western Suburbs Magpies away on 29 March 2014 at 2:30pm.
Last Modified on 10/03/2014 10:20
