Campbelltown Blues
Final position
8th- 5 wins, 13 losses
Snapshot
For a side hoping to play in finals, it was a poor start for the Blues with a big loss to Western Suburbs in the opening round which set the tone for their season. Their first win came against the Bats in Round 3, with their next not coming till Round 8. Their best win arguably came in Round 11 against Sydney University at home but in between they were too inconsistent. They fell away poorly and disastrously only kicked one goal in their final two games to go out with a whimper.
What worked
They played somewhat accountable, contested football in the opening stages of the season- particularly at home. Heading into the back end of the season, they still amazingly had a glimmer of hope of making the finals but this was blown out pretty quickly.
What failed
Like UTS, they didn’t have a successful year on the transfer market. Dean Brogan was supposed to be a gun recruit but didn’t play a game due to his GWS coaching commitments. Former Swan, Gerrard Bennett only played four games and didn’t have much of an impact. On reflection, the club lost more than they gained in terms of players. For a side with some exciting talent, they boasted the worst attacking record in the league.
MVP: Taran Etto
Head and shoulders in front of anyone else, Etto led from the front for the Blues this year. Small in size yet tenacious, the youngster showed his great pedigree in the midfield and also went forward to kick 13 goals in his 17 games. He was selected in the AFL Sydney Senior Representative side and could count himself unlucky not to be named in the AFL Sydney Team of the Year. Lacked support but a good user by hand and foot and useful in traffic.
Surprise packets: Aiden Bell and Nathan Lomas
Bell only celebrated his 18th birthday in late August so you wouldn’t have seen him out past 10pm too often at Campbelltown post-match functions but he belied his age in a key defensive post for the Blues. Coming across from Holroyd-Parramatta, he is a natural back-man who can play tall or small. Will be much better for the run in the top grade and should grow with more time in the gym over the off-season.
Lomas also holds a key post in defence. Also 18, he came to the Blues from Illawarra with a small taste of Premier Division action. Coach, Neil Brunton is not the only one to have big wraps on the youngster- with other clubs also rating his potential. He played all 18 games and was in the best 12 times.
Low point
It is hard to look past their final fortnight where the cumulative scores read 14 points for and 268 against. Enough said.
What do they need to improve?
While their Reserve grade is in Division Four, you would have to think they will struggle if they sustain any sort of injury toll. They need to be more savvy with their recruitment and get in some players in the 25-30 year age group who can make an impact both on and off the field. I can’t see any real leadership in their playing roster.
Class is needed in every position. An agile key forward would be near the top of the list, as would some tall key defenders capable of rebound- much like Amua Pirika who they sorely missed this year.
Grade: D-
For a side that had a 50% win-loss record in 2013, this year is a massive step backwards with what is a similar list. Like UTS, next year will be defining for the Blues. Recruitment should be on in earnest, as should pre-season training if they are to catch up the miles needed to put their club back on the map. Harsh but you have to say fair.
Last Modified on 07/10/2014 20:27
